Judith Gordon's Blog, page 2
August 19, 2025
The Archer's Lesson: Control and Letting Go
"Some things are within our power, while others are not."
– Epictetus, Enchiridion
I often return to this simple but powerful truth: we can control the aim, but never the target.
The Stoics compared life to the work of an archer. Our task is to prepare, take aim with care, and release the arrow. But once it leaves our bow, the outcome is no longer in our control. The wind may change, the target may move, or unforeseen events may intervene.
Too often, I've caught myself frustrated when the arrow didn't land where I wanted – letting disappointment or even anger take root. But the Stoic reminder is clear: our job is only to focus on the shot itself – our effort, our discipline, our choices.
That lesson came alive for me recently when I noticed how easily one small event (entirely outside my control) determined my mood and interfered with my work. In that moment, I had a choice: stay tangled in frustration, or pause, breathe, and remember the archer's wisdom.
We can't always control the results. But we can control how we show up, how we respond, and where we direct our energy.
– Epictetus, Enchiridion
I often return to this simple but powerful truth: we can control the aim, but never the target.
The Stoics compared life to the work of an archer. Our task is to prepare, take aim with care, and release the arrow. But once it leaves our bow, the outcome is no longer in our control. The wind may change, the target may move, or unforeseen events may intervene.
Too often, I've caught myself frustrated when the arrow didn't land where I wanted – letting disappointment or even anger take root. But the Stoic reminder is clear: our job is only to focus on the shot itself – our effort, our discipline, our choices.
That lesson came alive for me recently when I noticed how easily one small event (entirely outside my control) determined my mood and interfered with my work. In that moment, I had a choice: stay tangled in frustration, or pause, breathe, and remember the archer's wisdom.
We can't always control the results. But we can control how we show up, how we respond, and where we direct our energy.
August 11, 2025
The Stoic Perspective That Changed How I See Each Day
When I first encountered Stoic philosophy, I didn't realize how much it would become a part of my life. One practice in particular stands out: ending the day with reflection.
Each night, I ask myself: What did I do well today? Where did I fall short? What can I improve tomorrow?
This habit isn't about judgment – it's about awareness. Seneca and Marcus Aurelius both wrote about the value of examining our actions. In my own journey, it's helped me turn challenges into learning experiences and has kept me grounded, even on the most difficult days.
How do you end your day? Do you reflect on your choices, or simply move forward? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Each night, I ask myself: What did I do well today? Where did I fall short? What can I improve tomorrow?
This habit isn't about judgment – it's about awareness. Seneca and Marcus Aurelius both wrote about the value of examining our actions. In my own journey, it's helped me turn challenges into learning experiences and has kept me grounded, even on the most difficult days.
How do you end your day? Do you reflect on your choices, or simply move forward? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
August 2, 2025
"Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one." – Marcus Aurelius
There's something piercingly direct about Marcus Aurelius. This quote doesn't ask for debate or perfection – it calls for action.
In my own life, especially during recovery, I didn't have the luxury of overanalyzing. I had to be resilient, be steady, be grateful – day after day. Not because I felt brave, but because it was the only path forward.
This quote reminds me that becoming is not a theory; it's a practice. Small daily decisions. Quiet consistency. Grace under pressure.
What does this quote stir in you?
In my own life, especially during recovery, I didn't have the luxury of overanalyzing. I had to be resilient, be steady, be grateful – day after day. Not because I felt brave, but because it was the only path forward.
This quote reminds me that becoming is not a theory; it's a practice. Small daily decisions. Quiet consistency. Grace under pressure.
What does this quote stir in you?
July 26, 2025
What Stoicism Taught Me About Strength
I didn't discover Stoicism in a classroom. I discovered it while dealing with the hardest chapter of my life – a serious accident that changed everything. My body needed time and care to heal, but my mindset? That was my greatest ally.
What helped wasn't just "thinking positively." I was learning how to separate what was in my control from what wasn't. It was the reminder that every day – no matter how small the progress – is still part of the path forward.
As Marcus Aurelius wrote, You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this and you will find strength."
For me, that wasn't abstract wisdom – it was practical. Daily. Real. It didn't just help me endure, it helped me grow.
If you're curious, I wrote about this healing journey in my book My Stoic Path To Healing. I didn't want to write a guidebook – I wanted to share what worked, what mattered, and what stayed with me.
I'd love to hear if Stoicism (or another philosophy) has helped you through something difficult.
What helped wasn't just "thinking positively." I was learning how to separate what was in my control from what wasn't. It was the reminder that every day – no matter how small the progress – is still part of the path forward.
As Marcus Aurelius wrote, You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this and you will find strength."
For me, that wasn't abstract wisdom – it was practical. Daily. Real. It didn't just help me endure, it helped me grow.
If you're curious, I wrote about this healing journey in my book My Stoic Path To Healing. I didn't want to write a guidebook – I wanted to share what worked, what mattered, and what stayed with me.
I'd love to hear if Stoicism (or another philosophy) has helped you through something difficult.
July 17, 2025
Stoic Words That Walked Beside Me
These quotes stayed with me during long, quiet months of recovery. They reminded me that strength can be silent, and that perseverance is a kind of wisdom.
"Sometimes even to live is an act of courage."
– Seneca
A reminder that survival during hard times isn't passive – it's brave.
"You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength."
– Marcus Aurelius
I found this quote to be a Stoic anchor – especially during difficult times.
"Don't explain your philosophy. Embody it."
– Epictetus
It's not about sounding wise. Quiet actions speak the loudest.
Thank you for reading. If any of these spoke to you, I'd love to hear which one – and why.
"Sometimes even to live is an act of courage."
– Seneca
A reminder that survival during hard times isn't passive – it's brave.
"You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength."
– Marcus Aurelius
I found this quote to be a Stoic anchor – especially during difficult times.
"Don't explain your philosophy. Embody it."
– Epictetus
It's not about sounding wise. Quiet actions speak the loudest.
Thank you for reading. If any of these spoke to you, I'd love to hear which one – and why.
July 10, 2025
Why I Wrote My Stoic Path To Healing
I didn't plan to write a book, but over time, I realized that my personal story of recovery could be helpful to others facing life-altering changes.
Stoic philosophy offered me thoughts, practices, and insights that gave me strength when I needed it most.
My Stoic Path To Healing isn't an academic take on Stoicism. It's a personal story of struggle, resilience, and healing – told through the lens of ancient wisdom that still speaks powerfully today. I wrote it for anyone going through challenges, uncertainty, or change – and looking for something steady to hold onto.
Thank you for stopping by. I hope something in these pages helps you.
Stoic philosophy offered me thoughts, practices, and insights that gave me strength when I needed it most.
My Stoic Path To Healing isn't an academic take on Stoicism. It's a personal story of struggle, resilience, and healing – told through the lens of ancient wisdom that still speaks powerfully today. I wrote it for anyone going through challenges, uncertainty, or change – and looking for something steady to hold onto.
Thank you for stopping by. I hope something in these pages helps you.
July 4, 2025
The Moment Stoicism Became Personal
When I first began reading the Stoics, I wasn't looking for a philosophy – I was looking for a lifeline, both physically and emotionally, and I needed more than inspiration. I needed practical wisdom that could help me get through each day.
That's when I came across this quote form Epictetus:
"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."
I must have read this quote a hundred times. It wasn't just ancient wisdom – it was a challenge. A challenge to rethink how I dealt with my new reality.
In my book, My Stoic Path To Healing, I share how Stoic practices like the Dichotomy of Control and Amor Fati helped me find strength during recovery. I also write about the very human experience of not always feeling strong – and how that too, is part of the path.
I'd love to hear from others:
Have you ever had a moment when a piece of wisdom changed the way you saw a situation?
That's when I came across this quote form Epictetus:
"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."
I must have read this quote a hundred times. It wasn't just ancient wisdom – it was a challenge. A challenge to rethink how I dealt with my new reality.
In my book, My Stoic Path To Healing, I share how Stoic practices like the Dichotomy of Control and Amor Fati helped me find strength during recovery. I also write about the very human experience of not always feeling strong – and how that too, is part of the path.
I'd love to hear from others:
Have you ever had a moment when a piece of wisdom changed the way you saw a situation?
June 24, 2025
Why Stoicism Still Matters in Times of Personal Struggle
Life doesn't always go as planned. Accidents, illness, and unexpected setbacks can interrupt life at any time. Years ago, I found myself experiencing such a disruption. I had to step back from the life I had known and find a different way forward.
It wasn't therapy or motivational slogans that helped–it was philosophy. I turned to Stoicism not because it offered relief, but because it offered a way to move through difficulty with purpose.
What I found in the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca was not a call to suppress emotion, but a reminder to anchor myself in what I could control-my thoughts, my responses, and the way I chose to meet the day. These were practical tools that I could return to again and again.
Stoicism isn't about indifference. It's about strength without drama, clarity without exaggeration, and action without complaint. It helped me recover–not by changing my circumstances, but by helping me respond to them with steadiness and direction.
In a world that often feels chaotic, Stoicism still offers something valuable: a calm approach to facing what's in front of us. Not by turning away, but by standing up–clearly and firmly–on our own two feet.
It wasn't therapy or motivational slogans that helped–it was philosophy. I turned to Stoicism not because it offered relief, but because it offered a way to move through difficulty with purpose.
What I found in the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca was not a call to suppress emotion, but a reminder to anchor myself in what I could control-my thoughts, my responses, and the way I chose to meet the day. These were practical tools that I could return to again and again.
Stoicism isn't about indifference. It's about strength without drama, clarity without exaggeration, and action without complaint. It helped me recover–not by changing my circumstances, but by helping me respond to them with steadiness and direction.
In a world that often feels chaotic, Stoicism still offers something valuable: a calm approach to facing what's in front of us. Not by turning away, but by standing up–clearly and firmly–on our own two feet.
