Judith Gordon's Blog
November 3, 2025
Finding Calm in the Midst of Chaos
November always feels like the world speeds up –endless tasks, noise, and demands on our attention. I've been reminding myself that most of what feels urgent isn't actually within my control.
The Stoics taught that peace isn't found by changing our circumstances, but by changing how we see them. When I catch myself reacting to situations around me, I pause and ask:
"Is this within my power to influence – or is this something I must let go?"
That one question has saved my sanity more than once.
If you're feeling the pressure of the season, try taking a quiet moment today to separate what you truly can influence from what you can't. You might be surprised how much lighter life feels when you let go of the rest.
Judith Gordon, My Stoic Path To Healing
The Stoics taught that peace isn't found by changing our circumstances, but by changing how we see them. When I catch myself reacting to situations around me, I pause and ask:
"Is this within my power to influence – or is this something I must let go?"
That one question has saved my sanity more than once.
If you're feeling the pressure of the season, try taking a quiet moment today to separate what you truly can influence from what you can't. You might be surprised how much lighter life feels when you let go of the rest.
Judith Gordon, My Stoic Path To Healing
October 28, 2025
When the Mind Begins to Wander
It's easy to believe that our minds are under our control – until they drift into worries about the future or regrets about the past. The Stoics remind us that the mind is its own place. What we allow it to dwell on determines the quality of our life.
When I notice my thoughts wandering towards old regrets or imagined outcomes, I take a mental step back and ask: Is this within my control? Usually, it isn't. That moment of awareness interrupts the negative thoughts and brings me back to the present – where my influence actually exists.
Marcus Aurelius wrote, "You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this and you will find strength." Those words have become a reminder that freedom begins in how we direct our attention.
The mind will always wander. The practice is gently guiding it back – to the present, to gratitude, and to the next right action.
When I notice my thoughts wandering towards old regrets or imagined outcomes, I take a mental step back and ask: Is this within my control? Usually, it isn't. That moment of awareness interrupts the negative thoughts and brings me back to the present – where my influence actually exists.
Marcus Aurelius wrote, "You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this and you will find strength." Those words have become a reminder that freedom begins in how we direct our attention.
The mind will always wander. The practice is gently guiding it back – to the present, to gratitude, and to the next right action.
October 18, 2025
The Thoughts We Choose To Keep
I've noticed that even one passing thought can impact the day. The difference is, I don't let it take root. Over time, I've learned to let thoughts drift through – to recognize them, sometimes even laugh at them, and release them.
Still I often catch myself saying: "Where did that come from?" Thoughts can appear out of nowhere - triggered by memory, habit, or something as simple as a tone of voice. Stoicism has taught me that I don't need to challenge every thought. I only need to decide which are worth keeping.
When we stop chasing every idea that crosses our minds, peace begins to set in naturally. It's not a forced calm; it's the quiet that comes from recognizing how little we actually need to control.
During my healing journey, this practice made a real difference. After my accident, I learned that mental strength doesn't mean blocking thoughts –it means viewing them with awareness, compassion, and choice. Stoic wisdom helped me to rebuild that strength form the inside out.
What kind of thoughts do you choose to keep or to let go?
Still I often catch myself saying: "Where did that come from?" Thoughts can appear out of nowhere - triggered by memory, habit, or something as simple as a tone of voice. Stoicism has taught me that I don't need to challenge every thought. I only need to decide which are worth keeping.
When we stop chasing every idea that crosses our minds, peace begins to set in naturally. It's not a forced calm; it's the quiet that comes from recognizing how little we actually need to control.
During my healing journey, this practice made a real difference. After my accident, I learned that mental strength doesn't mean blocking thoughts –it means viewing them with awareness, compassion, and choice. Stoic wisdom helped me to rebuild that strength form the inside out.
What kind of thoughts do you choose to keep or to let go?
October 12, 2025
What I Can Control Today (Epictetus in real life)
"Some things are up to us and some are not."
– Epictetus, Enchiridion 1
I didn't heal by getting braver overnight. I healed by getting clearer about what was actually in my control. In practice, it looks like this: the market, other people's moods, the past – not mine. My next action, my attention, my attitude – mine.
A 5-Minute Control Audit
Grab a piece of paper. Two columns.
• Not mine: List 3 things stressing you that you can't directly control. Draw a line through them.
• List 3 things you can do in the next hour. Pick one. Do it now.
That's it. You just practiced practical Stoicism.
My Toolkit (what I use daily)
• Stoic-To -Do-List: One action for the next 10 minutes, one for this hour, one for tonight
• Cognitive Reframing: What story am I telling myself– and what's a truer, kinder story?
• View from Above: Zoom out 6 months. Is this still important? If not, restructure your actions.
Why this works
When we expend energy on what we can not control, we drain our fuel for what we can control. "Moving one pebble today beats arguing with the mountain."
If you're rebuilding after injury, or loss, this is the method I used – page by page, day by day.
Try it today
Write your 2 columns. Cross out what you cannot control. Do one small thing that is within your power.
Question for you:
What's one action you can take within the next hour?
– Epictetus, Enchiridion 1
I didn't heal by getting braver overnight. I healed by getting clearer about what was actually in my control. In practice, it looks like this: the market, other people's moods, the past – not mine. My next action, my attention, my attitude – mine.
A 5-Minute Control Audit
Grab a piece of paper. Two columns.
• Not mine: List 3 things stressing you that you can't directly control. Draw a line through them.
• List 3 things you can do in the next hour. Pick one. Do it now.
That's it. You just practiced practical Stoicism.
My Toolkit (what I use daily)
• Stoic-To -Do-List: One action for the next 10 minutes, one for this hour, one for tonight
• Cognitive Reframing: What story am I telling myself– and what's a truer, kinder story?
• View from Above: Zoom out 6 months. Is this still important? If not, restructure your actions.
Why this works
When we expend energy on what we can not control, we drain our fuel for what we can control. "Moving one pebble today beats arguing with the mountain."
If you're rebuilding after injury, or loss, this is the method I used – page by page, day by day.
Try it today
Write your 2 columns. Cross out what you cannot control. Do one small thing that is within your power.
Question for you:
What's one action you can take within the next hour?
October 4, 2025
Autumn Gratitude and the Stoic Way
Each autumn, I pause to notice the quiet beauty of change – the golden leaves falling without resistance, the cool air bringing both stillness and release. I've come to see this season as a reminder that letting go is not necessarily loss. Stoicism echoes that truth: peace comes when we stop fighting the inevitable.
For me, gratitude has become a question of awareness. Each morning, I ask, "What do I already have that I might be overlooking? The answer is usually simple – health, purpose, relationships, the chance to begin again. This question is especially poignant, as I learned of a friend's passing today.
When I focus on what remains rather than what's gone, I feel lighter and stronger. Like the trees, we grow by releasing what no longer serves us.
What has autumn reminded you to be grateful for this year?
For me, gratitude has become a question of awareness. Each morning, I ask, "What do I already have that I might be overlooking? The answer is usually simple – health, purpose, relationships, the chance to begin again. This question is especially poignant, as I learned of a friend's passing today.
When I focus on what remains rather than what's gone, I feel lighter and stronger. Like the trees, we grow by releasing what no longer serves us.
What has autumn reminded you to be grateful for this year?
September 23, 2025
Finding Strength in Adversity
Life has a way of testing us when we least expect it. Challenges arrives uninvited – whether it's illness, loss, or sudden change – we're left with the choice of how to deal with them. For me, Stoicism has been a steady guide. the philosophy reminds us that we cannot control everything that happens, but we can control our response.
Adversity removes comfort. But that is when I've found resilience. Each obstacle has forced me to see what truly matters and what I can let go of. As Marcus Aurelius wrote, "The impediment to action advances action. what stands in the way becomes the way."
When I look back, the most difficult times became the moments that shaped me the most deeply. Not because they were easy, but because they demanded growth.
Has an obstacle in yur life ever opened a new path or revealed a strength you didn't know you had?
Adversity removes comfort. But that is when I've found resilience. Each obstacle has forced me to see what truly matters and what I can let go of. As Marcus Aurelius wrote, "The impediment to action advances action. what stands in the way becomes the way."
When I look back, the most difficult times became the moments that shaped me the most deeply. Not because they were easy, but because they demanded growth.
Has an obstacle in yur life ever opened a new path or revealed a strength you didn't know you had?
September 15, 2025
Obstacles as Unexpected Teachers
Life doesn't unfold the way we expect. After my accident, I faced obstacles I never imagined – limits of my body, to my work, and to my freedom. At first, I saw those limits only as barriers.
Later, I discovered a different way to see them: as teachers. Stoic philosophy reminded me that what feels like an obstacle can become an opportunity to grow. Marcus Aurelius wrote: "The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way, becomes the way."
That line puzzled me when I first read it. But over time, I realized that my accident wasn't just something to endure. It pushed me to search for meaning, to rebuild my life with strength and purpose.
We all face challenges – big or small - that can feel overwhelming in the moment. Sometimes, they change the course of our lives.
Have you ever had an obstacle that turned out to be a strange kind of teacher?
Later, I discovered a different way to see them: as teachers. Stoic philosophy reminded me that what feels like an obstacle can become an opportunity to grow. Marcus Aurelius wrote: "The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way, becomes the way."
That line puzzled me when I first read it. But over time, I realized that my accident wasn't just something to endure. It pushed me to search for meaning, to rebuild my life with strength and purpose.
We all face challenges – big or small - that can feel overwhelming in the moment. Sometimes, they change the course of our lives.
Have you ever had an obstacle that turned out to be a strange kind of teacher?
September 5, 2025
What Stands in the Way Becomes the Way
"The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way."
– Marcus Aurelius
When I first read this quote, I was perplexed. However, after some thought, I realized that although obstacles often feel like setbacks, it's clear that they have pushed me in new directions. After my accident, many things I took for granted became challenging. But in the middle of those limits, I discovered Stoic philosophy – and it gave me a framework for resilience and purpose.
Maybe that's the strange gift of obstacles: they change our path, but they also open new ways forward.
Have you ever had an obstacle that turned into an unexpected path?
– Marcus Aurelius
When I first read this quote, I was perplexed. However, after some thought, I realized that although obstacles often feel like setbacks, it's clear that they have pushed me in new directions. After my accident, many things I took for granted became challenging. But in the middle of those limits, I discovered Stoic philosophy – and it gave me a framework for resilience and purpose.
Maybe that's the strange gift of obstacles: they change our path, but they also open new ways forward.
Have you ever had an obstacle that turned into an unexpected path?
August 31, 2025
Gratitude, Stoicism, and Healing: What I Learned This Week
This past week has been encouraging for me as an author. My book My Stoic Path to Healing reached #1 in Memoirs and #1 in Motivational Self-Help on Amazon during its promotion. Just under 400 readers downloaded it.
I want to thank everyone who took the time to download or read. Your support means a great deal.
As Marcus Aurelius wrote: “Receive without pride, let go without attachment.” Achievements come and go, but gratitude stays with us. That’s what I’m feeling today.
If you read my book, I’d love to hear your thoughts in a review — even a few words make a difference.
I want to thank everyone who took the time to download or read. Your support means a great deal.
As Marcus Aurelius wrote: “Receive without pride, let go without attachment.” Achievements come and go, but gratitude stays with us. That’s what I’m feeling today.
If you read my book, I’d love to hear your thoughts in a review — even a few words make a difference.
August 24, 2025
Stoicism, Healing, and a Literary Milestone
The Stoics remind us not to be swayed by praise or criticism, but to focus on living with integrity and purpose. Even so, I felt deeply honored this weekend when my book My Stoic Path To Healing, received Honorable Mention at the Sunshine Coast Literary Awards.
To me, recognition isn't about achievement, but about affirmation – that Stoic wisdom continues to resonate as a source of strength and guidance for those facing hardship.
To me, recognition isn't about achievement, but about affirmation – that Stoic wisdom continues to resonate as a source of strength and guidance for those facing hardship.
