Introversion 2.

0
A Manifesto of Self Reliance and Self Preservation.



Jeff Turnbull
sensitiveadvisor.com

I have been an Introvert all of my life.
But, only recently have I come to realize what an impact it has been on
my Life
When I was a young boy, I did not want to leave my room, my fortress of
solitude.



As a preteen, I was terrified of the opposite sex.
Later as a teen dating was difficult, because I sought
refuge in the other and would get too close too fast.
I felt different and socially awkward, and freindships
were difficult to maintain.
As a young man I found it hard to find
my place in the world.
When things went wrong or did not
work out, I withdrew into myself and back
into my room.


I had trouble keeping a job for any length of time.
When I hit a wall it usually hit back.
I was sensitive, intuitive, and empathetic
and missed many rites of passage that
young men usually experience.

I married late in my thirties.
I did not have the tools I needed
to make a May-December romance work.
I could not give her, what I know now,
I did not have.


We had a child. I lost my job a week later.
We all struggled. Many tears were shed.
Many angry words exchanged. We divorced.
My heart broke. I missed my daughter,
but it was the right thing to do, for all of us.

Once again, I receded into myself,
this time deeper than I ever have before.
I was not in my body, or my right mind.
I struggled with separation from my angel,
and any sense of self that I was able to achieve.


I was a drift trying to take care of my responsibilities
while I tried to find something that would show me a way
out of the choppy waters and stormy seas of life, so that
I could set a course to a normal, productive Life.

I finally found my message in the bottle. It was The Manual, a
discource on The Art of Living, by Epictetus. It was the map to show me
the way.

I would have never imagined that the teachings of a Roman slave of a
slave who was a Stoic sage, would save my life, and give me the tools to
navigate the sometimes chaotic existence in a noisy, extroverted world.

The following is a Manifesto of Self Reliance and Self Preservation. I
hope you find it a helpful resource and tool to aid in a Life well lived.
Life is more wrestling than it is dancing, the better equipped we are to
meet its challenges, the more energy we have to be present and be able to
enjoy the time we have. Life is short. Live it Artfully.


Introversion 2.0

The following is my interpretation and analysis of the Ten Principles of
Stoic Philosophy. If one is able to adopt Stoicism as a Philosophy of
Life, all the better. If one is able to apply just a few of the Principles of
Stoicism, they will surely benefit from the sages wisdom.

There are no abstract thought forms that need to be contemplated ad
nauseum. The concepts are very easy to understand; however, perhaps
not so much to practice. When I find a situation taxing or difficult to
manage I realize I have encountered an instance or an opportunity to put
one or more of the Principles to the test.

Life need not be a challenge, it is only our thinking that makes it so.
Principle 1.

Recognize what is under your control and what is not
under your control. Do not worry about things that
you cannot control.


If we can adopt this very simple premise as our mindset, frame of
reference, attitude, or Worldview this First Principle is Life Changing.
It will completely change the way you see the World, and how we
interact with its inhabitants. If we can surrender to what is, and take
responsibility how we think, feel, or react to any given situation, that
which is within our control, then we are on the path to self-evolution.

Principle 2.

Align our Will, Heart, and Mind in harmony to live in
accordance with Nature.

We must be ever true to ourselves. A self-reflective nature is a good
nature. It allows us time to sort things out and try to make some sense of
the sometime senseless. If we can live within our true nature right up to
the point where we can see others perspective and point of view then we
can begin to see the entire spectrum of others hearts and minds.
Breathe the fresh air while you are walking in nature. Eat healthy life
sustaining food. Drink the cleanest and freshest water possible. We must
be good stewards of the earth, our bodies, and our minds.
Principle 3.

Know and understand your emotions. Avoid repressing
or exulting any emotion.

When we react too strongly to something, we run the risk of losing our
composure, if not our mind. To know our emotions, and be self-aware of
our inner and outer environments allows us to know where we stand at
any given moment in time.
To understand our emotions we must value those, good, bad or
indifferent for they are a reflection of our state of mind, and state of our
being. If we can come to the know truth that the world at large is beyond
our control and only how we feel about something is within our control,
then we can truly begin to really see the value of all things.
Principle 4.

Always do the right thing. Never lie. Always tell the
truth, regardless of the circumstances.

Sounds like an insurmountable feat. Do not even tell white lies, which
are very ambiguous. If we always tell the truth, as the saying goes, we
never have to remember what we said.

Be genuine. Be real. Be authentic. If we always do the right thing, and
we all know what the right thing is, then we live a life of virtue. This
being the case we can focus on this life, doing, being, creating a better
world for all. Let your conscience be your guide.

Principle 5.

Know that events, people, or situations, are not the
problem. It is only our thinking that makes them so.

We need to cease to cherish our opinions. Question our beliefs. And also,
release our convictions. A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Let us not
waste it on idle worry, catastrophizing, and doom and gloom thinking.

We can see the glass as half empty, or half full, or better yet be grateful
that we have a glass. Its all a matter of perspective. Every answer is
inherent in any problem. Look for the silver lining, and see opportunity
in every challenge.

Principle 6.

Have a Heart. Live a life of compassion, and have respect
for human and animal rights.

See yourself in all others, and they will see themselves in you. Cultivate
warmth and tenderness towards others, and they will return the kindness.
Know that we all do our best with what we have, and with where we are
at. Smile and the world will smile back.

Express respect towards all creatures for like you they walk this earth
trying to find their way. Do not let a narrow mind blind you to the
potential in all beings, great or small. We are all in this together. Love
one another, as we live with one another.

Principle 7.

Cultivate right thinking by reflecting on your day, to see
how you might have been more mindful.

Show up and be present. Meditate if you can sit still for twenty minutes.
Contemplate your place in this world if you can. Reflect on your day and
do better tomorrow. Journal if you feel so inclined.

Right thinking should be inclusive. See the forest and the trees. Take
time and be there for the person before you, at that place, at that time. Be
aware, and care. Taste the food you are eating. Listen twice as much as
you talk, and always be polite.
Principle 8.

Know that the External world is already determined.
However, you have the freedom to choose how you
manage these determined events. Attitude is everything.

Equanimity is the art of being calm, even tempered, and composed
during any event. Good or bad, is in the mind of the perceiver. Temper
your awareness and your mindfulness.

Suchness is accepting the world at large as it is. The only thing we can
really change is our attitude. People and events can only bedevil us if we
allow them to.
Principle 9.

Be humble in the face of adversity. Apply discipline
when challenged, and strive earnestly without hindrance.

When we are stressed our ability to focus is heightened. It is a survival
mechanism. But, use this natural state to focus on what is important. Be
indifferent to pain or pleasure. See what you need to, to put things in
perspective.

Be a visionary and see the truth in the moment. Exercise the fine art of
equanimity and hold your head high and walk in certainty that you know
the score in a game you choose not to play.

Principle 10.

Know what is under your control and that which is not
under your control.

Worry is a prayer for what we do not want. So do not want anything that
is beyond our control and we can worry not. Life can be overwhelming at
times, so we regret what we did, we worry and are anxious about things
yet to happen, and we are disappointed where we are at in life, at this
moment.
Shoulda, woulda, coulda, does not help us. We are defeated before we
begin if we allow this type of thinking to occupy our interior landscape.
We can make a hell of heaven or heaven from hell. It all depends on our
attitude. Life is a commutative effect made of endless choices. Choose
well, and you will be well.

The Stoic Sages of old got a bad reputation as being a
cold, unfeeling bunch, but this is not the case. Their goal
was to live a virtous Life of Tranquility and Serenity.
Being an Introvert, a Highly Sensitive Person, as well as
an INFJ (Myers-Briggs designation) life at times has
been a real challenge, but with this new way of thinking
and seeing the world it has really helped me with living
in this modern, loud, very extroverted world. I have
found a sense of peace and at times serenity.

Please feel free to share this Manfesto with anyone who
may need it, especially any Introverted Loved ones.
Introversion 2.0
A Manifesto of Self Reliance and Self Preservation.


Jeff Turnbull
sensitiveadvisor.com