Stoicism as a Way of Life

Written 23 November 2023 Placed 1st in : Stoicism as Way of Life Poetry Contest Sponsored by Sotto Poet Stoicism as a Way of Life In a world where piling of wealth Is for many the goal of life Often to detriment of health, Where workplace is a seat of strife, Where success is greeted with roars Of hectic music and dances, Where births are hailed with loud uproars, Where week-ends are welcomed with trance, Failures may become stumbling blocks, A sorrowful source of sadness, Often engender spells of shocks And veil one`s own life with darkness. The loss of a beloved one May tear to tatters one`s own life Ignite the downfall of someone, With stress and stains souring life. If one sticks to a stoic stance And views the world with a cool glance, Failures will be less harsh to bear And the mind will be sound and clear, Fateful events will fetch no tear Fate will be taken for a ride Life and death will entail no fear Ill feelings will be cast aside. A Stoic stance strings human nature In accord with Cosmic Nature, Guides man to the path of virtue And to a rational world view. Stressing Nature`s divinity, It is a deep philosophy That aims to evict human evils For a way of life free from ills. It sets a mid course to follow, Teaches one`s feelings to retain, Temper one`s sadness and sorrow And joys of success to contain. It beams clarity in the mind, Sparks bright rays of positive thoughts, Fills the world with its gleams of shine And brings many hurdles to nought. Such a stance takes fate for a ride, Halts sad events to bear a tear, Bursts of pride to be cast aside, Life and death to entail no fear. Its other positive aspect Prompts for everyone deep respect, Debars excess of emotion And is the source of compassion. Scanning deeply the inner self Can confer such a stoic stance And surely bestow on oneself Strength to face every circumstance. The stoic self is like a lake Shining with kindness for others, Gleaming with hopes ever awake, Keen to treat others like brothers; The pitch of rationality, The seed of spirituality, Is the bed of tranquility, The real source of mindful peace, The gateway to divinity And the seat of eternal bliss.