The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

We’ve spoken of the great Admiral James Stockdale here many times. We told you how when he parachuted into that terrible prison camp, he knew he would be tortured and possibly killed, yet all that was on his mind in that moment were the teachings of Epictetus. We told you about how he made himself of service and a leader to others, even as he was being tortured and trapped in leg irons.

We have spoken of his courage, his wisdom, his self-discipline, and his sense of justice. But nothing better encapsulates the man and his heroism than this one quote, which applies today to our own adversity just as it did to the horrible ordeal that he went through:

I never lost faith in the end of the story, I never doubted not only that I would get out, but also that I would prevail in the end and turn the experience into the defining event of my life, which, in retrospect, I would not trade.

We must never lose that faith. Does that mean we ignore the brutal reality of the current moment? Does it mean we pretend that all is well, even as blows rain down upon us? No. Of course not. We must be realistic. We must be honest.

Yet we should be ever confident of our ability to respond to the situation we have found ourselves in. We decide where this is going to go. We decide what we’re going to get out of this. We will prevail in the end and turn this into a defining event in our lives.

We will make it something we would not trade. -From the Daily Stoic

You can think your way into or out of almost any circumstance, good or bad.

No action takes place unless it is preceded by thought. If you’re unhappy with the circumstances in which you find yourself, you can improve your situation through the power of thought, just as surely as you can destroy a positive life with negative thinking. Success begins with an honest analysis of your present condition, acceptance of responsibility for your own life, and the development of a workable plan to achieve what you desire...Napoleon Hill

Assume that more than one path exists to achieve your ideal life.

What would some of the alternative routes look like?

COMMENTS

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LORDMOGY
00:09 Jul 17 2020

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OccultRanger
00:58 Jul 17 2020

The way Mogy acts I think I'll stick to my route. He's good at keeping people sober.

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Earthgrinder
19:06 Jul 18 2020

Lmao

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POST COMMENT

We’ve spoken about the commencement address that Arnold Schwarzenegger made to the Class of 2020. In it, he makes an important distinction that the Stoics make themselves.

If you want to endure and overcome obstacles, he says, it’s not about what you are in life, but who. What he’s talking about is the primacy of character and virtue over recognition and position. Are you going to identify with your stuff or with your abilities? This question matters, because all of us are facing the biggest economic crisis of our generation.

The Stoics continually reminded themselves that what people think doesn’t matter; what job you have doesn’t matter; the size of your bank account doesn’t matter. Because those things aren’t in your control and they can be taken away. But character? That’s all you. Literally and figuratively. It determines your fate, as Heraclitus said, and It can never be taken away from you, as the falsely imprisoned boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter demonstrated, no matter what else can be.

Right now you could be down and out, facing all sorts of adversity, but if you’re a good person, if you aren’t a quitter, if you keep your word (to yourself and others), if you are always focused on learning and getting better, then you’ll get through this. That’s a guarantee. No one knows what the future holds, but those traits will serve you well whatever comes. No doubt about it.

In another earlier commencement, Arnold gave some good advice to someone trying to cultivate a good who. Marcus Aurelius had his “epithets for the self”: Upright. Modest. Straightforward. Sane. Cooperative. They work well alongside Arnold’s:

So let me tell you, as you prepare to go off into the world, remember six rules: Trust yourself, Break some rules, Don’t be afraid to fail, Ignore the naysayers, Work like hell, and Give something back.
We live in a world with plenty to fear: economic downturn, global conflict, and of course, the COVID-19 pandemic. Things are scary and their potential consequences loom before us. What will happen is not ours to decide. But who we are matters more. Events are not our call, but the rules we decide to follow are. So don’t be afraid, work hard, give back and be good. --The Daily Stoic

The global economy was strong for over a decade. All sorts of wondrous new technology is cheaper than ever before. You might think this is cause for major celebration, and indeed, for many people, it was.

Yet for all the positivity leading up to this year, if you talked to smart people in politics and finance you would have also heard a growing and general sense of unease. For months, they had begun to think that setbacks or a reset were not just likely, but inevitable. Maybe it would be a war. Or another major recession. Maybe it would be something related to climate change. Nobody was sure, but the experts all seemed to share a mood not unlike the lyrics to the classic Creedence Clearwater Revival song (though most hauntingly sung by Mourning Ritual):

I see a bad moon a-rising
I see trouble on the way
I see earthquakes and lightnin'
I see bad times today
While this might be a little depressing, it is, in fact, a very Stoic exercise. Actually, it's quite close to one of the rules that Seneca swore by. As he wrote:

Cling tooth and nail to the following rule: Not to give in to adversity, never to trust prosperity, and always to take full note of fortune's habit of behaving just as she pleases, treating her as if she were actually going to do everything it is in her power to do.
A Stoic is suspicious of a party that goes on too long, of too much uninterrupted success. They know that what goes up must come down. It’s not that a Stoic is anxious or afraid or cynical—it’s that they’re ready. They enjoy good times like everyone else. But unlike everyone else, they don’t get too comfortable while the good times roll. Indeed, would you believe that an original draft of this email, written way back in late 2019, actually contained lines about how there had been “No truly deadly pandemics like those that ravaged the world for most of human history” and spoke of “political unrest that spreads throughout the world”?

Life is unpredictable. Fortune is fickle. Don’t take good times for granted. Use them to prepare. Use them to grow strong and resilient, not fat and entitled. This way, you can thrive no matter what the state of the world is. It’s important that you don’t just speculate about these things, but plan for them.

What would happen if things suddenly shifted? Would you be okay? Or would you be caught flat-footed? What preparations have you made for far less peaceful times? What would you do if you lost your job, or your income went down by half? Could you make do with less household help? Could you survive on your own?

Because as scary and “bad” as things are right now—or as unscathed as you might have been—they can still get worse. That bad moon may still be rising. More trouble may be on the way.~ The Daily Stoic

Perhaps you’re alarmed about the state of the world. Perhaps you’re horrified at the risks and dangers that lurk about. Pandemics, political chaos, riots, people at each other’s throats, unprecedented events—from cancelled NBA seasons to impeachments to a collapse in order in cities all over the world.

What did you think living through history was going to be like? It wasn’t fun to live through the Watergate years or the Six-Day War or the 1973 oil embargo or the Cuban Missile Crisis. Nobody wanted to experience one of the countless civil wars of the past or the Reformation or the Cultural Revolution. It was scary. It was weird. It was confusing. That’s what history is! It’s only the passage of time that turns down the volume on these things, that reduces them to a passage in a history book that feels neat and clean. At the time? Nobody knew what was happening, where it would go, what it would mean.

It’s strange to think that we can take comfort from this, but we can. Marcus Aurelius wanted us “to bear in mind constantly that all of this has happened before. And will happen again—the same plot from beginning to end, the identical staging.” Everyone who’s ever lived, including you, lived through history. They experienced the sausage being made—and that’s never pretty.

Realize that that’s what is going on right now. That’s what the Trump presidency is. That’s what COVID-19 is. That’s what climate change and Black Lives Matter protests and so many other things are. These are historical events and you’re living through them. It’s up to you whether you live through them passively, or actively. You have the chance to influence that history. Some of us in a big way, others in a smaller way. But we all have the opportunity to face them with proper Stoicism—which means not panicking, not betraying your principles, that means acting with courage, moderation, justice and wisdom. ..The Daily Stoic

Survive Social Unrest!
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Violent Nomads!

Are you equipped with proper gear for unexpected social unrest?

Let’s face it, you can be minding your own business and get caught off guard at any moment.
Currently, we are experiencing increased violence across the country and sustained social
unrest. Being prepared can help prevent injury or death when masked maniacs come your way.
And just so it’s said, avoid protests and social unrest zones, the same way you would COVID-19! Generally speaking, always avoid stupid places at stupid times with stupid people.

Here are some items that help deter hostile intent, prevent injury, and fend off pricks that try to turn your good day, bad.

1. Bear Spray https://amzn.to/2ZiCXFu – If you find yourself outnumbered and/or surrounded, a can of bear spray will stop them in their tracks. It’s all natural, sprays 30 feet, and doesn’t require a conceal carry permit.

2. Mouth Piece https://amzn.to/2VsZttY – It’s a shock absorber for the brain. Last thing you want, is to be knocked out. In fact, I have been carrying a mouth piece for years and it prevents most fights from ever happening. It’s little bit of tactical deception - overtly throw it in your mouth - your adversary will think your fucking crazy and move on to easier prey.

3. Mini Fire Extinguisher https://amzn.to/3i9YKI5 – Molotov cocktails are the most popular protest weapon. Quickly putting out a fire can be the difference between life and death. Plus, these are good to have regardless of hooligans.

4. Running Shoes https://amzn.to/3gdLRLh – You should always wear shoes you can run or fight in. Flip flops or high heels should be avoided these days. Exiting the scene as quickly as possible should always be your first choice.

5. Hoodie and Mask https://violentnomad.com/collections/apparel/products/violent-nomad-core-hoodie – Blend in! Keep a set in your car, purse, or man bag. Remember, law enforcement will not like your new outfit, so don’t do anything stupid while escaping the protest.

Be the exception.

More to follow,
Clint
www.100deadlyskills.com
www.violentnomad.com