Recommit

“Thomas Jefferson kept a copy of Seneca on his nightstand. George Washington staged a reproduction of a play about Cato at Valley Forge in the winter of ‘77/’78 to inspire the troops. Patrick Henry cribbed lines from that play which we now credit to him: “Give me Liberty or give me death!” It is hardly an exaggeration to say that the United States might not have an independence day to celebrate if the Founding Fathers hadn’t been inspired by Cato, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius.

At the core of the American experiment was liberty. At the core of Stoicism we have not only a love of freedom, but the counterbalancing virtues to that freedom: Justice. Duty. Self-Control. Honor. Selflessness. These are the traits that were required not only in those dark days of revolution, as bloody footprints from starving soldiers marked the snows in New Jersey and New York, but also the traits needed equally now in moments of prosperity and plenty, division and distraction.

Let today be a celebration of recommitment. A rededication to truth, to work, to taking responsibility. Because the work must continue if this great experiment, first founded 248 years ago to the day, is to continue as it should. As it must.” -Ryan Holiday.

“If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.” Emily Dickinson, poem If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking

John Adams: “A second flood, a simple famine, plagues of locusts everywhere, or a cataclysmic earthquake, I’d accept with some despair. But no, You sent us Congress! Good God, Sir, was that fair?” -from the musical, 1776 by Peter Stone

If you ever doubt the power of your art, I’m reminded that in the darkest hour at Valley Forge, George Washington staged a play about Cato.

Celebrate today. Be grateful for all that you have. And then recommit to making your art. You never know how big an impact it can make.