I’ve read a few books on Stoicism. The first concept that is discussed is the lack of control we really have in our life. We cannot control the weather, we cannot control other beings (people or animals), and we cannot control what happens all over the world. There are only three things we can control:
- Our Character
- Our Actions/Reactions
- How we treat others
The stoic philosophy teaches that anxiety over uncontrollable events is futile, consuming time and energy better spent elsewhere. It advocates for concentrating on what we can influence. This doesn’t imply passivity; rather, it suggests proactive measures to protect ourselves from the impact of external factors. The term ‘hedging’ is often heard today in contexts like hedging bets or hedge funds. Its roots trace back to the 1600s when hedges were planted as physical barriers to protect one’s property from trespassers or animals. This serves as a prime example of a stoic approach; I may not have control over others trespassing on my property, but I can erect a barrier to deter them.
In everyday life, I’ve established numerous metaphorical ‘hedges’: keeping a well-stocked pantry, investing in insurance, securing my seatbelt, and creating an emergency fund are a few examples. These precautionary steps help me deal with situations that are out of my hands.