“I don’t agree with those who plunge headlong into the middle of the flood and who, accepting a turbulent life,struggle daily in great spirit with difficult circumstances. The wise person will endure that, but won’t choose it–choosing to be at peace, rather than at war.” Seneca, Moral Letters, 28.7

I try and to keep a balance in my life. Pick my battles and walk away when the ego says stay. But there are choices sometimes that can be made only to step up. The trumps four years leaves no other choice.

“Don’t be bounced around, but submit every impulse to the claims of justice, and protect your clear conviction in every appearance.” Marcus  Aurelius, Meditations, 4.22

I find the old “count to ten” saying to come in handy when jumping into a situation. It gives me time to breathe and rise above to consider everything.I didn’t have to rise to far to see where the trump is leading us. RESIST

“Who then is invincible? The one who cannot be upset by anything outside their reasoned choice.” Epictetus, Discourses, 1.18.21

The trump would benefit the most from this quote. If he could control his outbursts, his aides would not have to take away his twitter account.

“When I see an anxious person, I ask myself, what do they want? For if a person wasn’t wanting something out side of their own control, why would they be stricken by anxiety?” Epictetus, Discourses, 2.13.1

Is all my thinking about what the trump will be doing, under my control?  Do I want to give him that power over myself.Do I want to be anxious over all of this? I do have control over my resistance to  his policies.  That I feel is my duty as a citizen. It is not his power over me but it fuels my power to resist.

“Frame your thoughts like this–you are an old person,you won’t let yourself be enslaved by this any longer,no longer pulled like a puppet by every impulse, and you”ll stop complaining about your present fortune or dreading the future.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations,2.2

I am an older person, not complaining, and looking forward to the future. RESIST

“Keep this thought handy when you feel a fit of rage coming on-it isn’t manly to be enraged. Rather, gentleness and civility are more human, and therefore manlier. A real man doesn’t give way to anger and discontent, and such a person has strength, courage, and endurance- unlike the angry and complaining. The nearer a man comes to a calm mind, the closer he is to strength.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 11.18.5b

Just talked with a neighbor down the street. He just asked what I thought of the great things the trump was doing that proves everybody is wrong about him. I asked him what things? Which he replied “you know” Which I said ” Oh, Putin running the country.” As I pulled off I heard “I,m not talking about that” Anger controlled, on small step.

“Don’t return to philosophy as a task-master, but as patients seek out relief in a treatment of sore eyes, or a dressing for a burn, or from an ointment. Regarding it this way, you’ll obey reason without putting it on display and the rest is easy in its care.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 5.9

I will be rereading this one the next four years to control my mind and emotions. Will we allow the Russians in our government. I am already in need of a cold cloth on my forehead.

“If you wish to improve, be content to appear clueless or stupid in extraneous matters–don’t wish to seem knowledgeable. And if some regard you as important, distrust yourself.” Epictetus, Enchirdion,  13a

The media is always pointing to a new outrage no matter how insignificant or petty to take our focus off of what is important. Stick to what is important to you and family.

“At every moment keep a sturdy mind on the task at hand, as a Roman and human being, doing it with strict and simple dignity, affection, freedom,and justice–giving yourself a break from all other considerations. You can do this if you approach each task as if it is your last, giving up every distraction, emotional subversion of reason,  and all drama, vanity, and complaint over your fair share. You can see how mastery over a few things makes it possible to live an abundant and devout life–for, if you keep watch over these things, the gods won’t ask for more.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 2.5

Task at hand is to fight for the next four years as if The United States of America is at stake. Which it is and make it as if it is my last fight.

“Take a good hard look at people’s ruling principle, especially of the wise, what they run away from and what they seek out” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations,4.38

What is the generation going to look up to the next 4 years? The trump a liar, cheat, con man, low morals and a traitor. Did the dumb shits that voted for him think about that? Where are the wise men and mentors for the future.