Noted
Karen Duffy is a celebrity, a Buddhist hospital chaplain, an emergency response team member, a writer, a sufferer of chronic illness, and has studied philosophy as a Stoic for several decades. Her new book, Wise Up, is current dinner time reading for Cinny and me. The book is composed of letters to her son, Jack. Her mix of humor and wisdom makes for an enjoyable read.
On the book jacket Bill Murray, comedian, actor, and “sage of Hollywood,” says, “Reading Wise Up put a smile on my face. This book will change lives. Duffy writes seriously important books that she doesn’t take too seriously. I guess that’s the secret. Read this book or you will miss it.”
My initial awareness of Karen Duffy came through reading The Stoic, a magazine of the Stoic Gym, where she is a regular contributor. Here are several quotes from Karen’s writing.
Quotes
For centuries, philosophers have tried to understand how we make decisions. In part it is because of the prior decisions we’ve made. The key is make good decisions, and if you’ve been making bad decisions, to make better choices a habit.
Twenty-four centuries later, the wisdom of the Stoic philosophers continues to help us make good decisions. Stoic philosophy is enduring. The art of living in our modern age can be enhanced by reflecting on the classics. The qualities that the study of philosophy offers you are profound; it creates a framework, a backbone of character. If you start to drift, it’s a compass that shows you your direction and sets you back on course.
Stoic philosophy has taught me to tidy up my life and achieve my goals. I am squeezing the best out of myself and living a good life.
The wisdom you need to follow your own path is readily available to you. As Epictetus said, “it is all up to you and your way of thinking.”
from Chapter 2 of Wise Up
When I write you, I have time to think, compose my thoughts, and come up with astounding facts and dirty jokes you can use on your friends. You have time to digest it all at your leisure without needing to run away from my repulsive mastication….I’m a gasbag, but I can edit a letter. I started writing to you before you were born, parenting for your future….You are an only child, so these letters are a backup plan in case I get sawed in half by an amateur magician.
from Chapter 1 of Wise Up
Life is not short, we make it so Seneca observed in the opening sentence of On the Shortness of Life that “the life we receive is not short, but we make it so, nor do we have any lack of it, but we are wasteful of it.” These words reverberated through me like a cherry bomb in a wind chime factory. We are given all the life we need; it is when we race through it, overscheduling our lives, and scrolling until our thumbs bleed, that our days feel short. The Stoic April 2024
Reflection
Stoicism is touching many lives. I sat with a friend yesterday and he said again how I have changed his life. Come on! What I did was introduce him to Stoicism. He is going with it. In a recent interview Jerry Seinfeld responded without hesitation when asked in a series of rapid-fire questions who was his hero — Marcus Aurelius.
Pat Cash, Australian Wimbledon winner supports Plato’s Academy in Athens and introduced Boris Becker, another Wimbledon winner, to Stoicism. Yes, these are big names, celebrities like Karen Duffy, but it gives an indication of the breadth of the growth of this ancient philosophy. Children’s educational programs are taking off around the globe.
The resources are vast and it seems wise to find your unique source of inspiration. Reading the Big Three: Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, Seneca’s many essays, and Epictetus’ teachings handed on by his students are basic. Stoicism Redux keeps rolling out current teachers and resources of Stoicism. Find one that speaks to your condition and go with it. It will help you to flourish with a sense of well-being and to get real about our modern times.
Resources
https://dailystoic.com/karen-duffy/ (Ryan Holiday interview with Karen Duffy)
https://wiseupstoic.com/
https://platosacademy.org/karen-duffy-resiliency-and-a-stoic-backbone/
Hey, good to hear from you. Am I getting scary in my pursuit of wisdom? Heavens I hope not. Call me on one of your trips to Abingdon. I want to Stoicize you!
Do I have to bring a robe and a flower?