6 Gentle Reminders on Life, Death, and What Matters — Inspired by Stoicism

Welcome to Letters of Wonder, where I explore the truths behind clarity, creation, and a wonderful life.

I was recently reading a beautiful book titled Breakfast with Seneca by David Fideler.

Seneca was a Roman Stoic philosopher known for his powerful writings on life, death, and inner peace.

His work teaches us how to live wisely, face hardship, and embrace the shortness of life.

This book had me reflecting on the finite nature of life.

So here are 6 lessons — drawn mostly from the book — to help us make the most of life while we still can.

1. Say What Needs to be Said and Do What Needs to be Done

We often believe one thing, and say another.

Worse — we never tell people how much they truly meant to us, until it’s too late.

There will be a last time you tell your mother how much she means to you.

There will be a last time you say I love you to your spouse.

Say what matters, while you still have the chance.

Similarly, don’t put off the work you’ve always been drawn to.

Whether it’s writing, playing an instrument, starting a business or simply pursuing a hobby.

You may never get another chance.

If you keep postponing your highest calling for “someday,” that day may never come.

And then, you may live (or die) in regret.

2) Take Care of your Physical Body

Your physical body is the vessel for your life.

Without health, you are unable to do anything.

Move while you can.

Lift. Run. Stretch. Breathe.

And your life will expand.

Both time and quality wise.

3) Live in Alignment with your Inner Truth

The whole world may think you’re a liar.
But if you know you’re telling the truth, you’ll live in peace.

The whole world may think you’re honest.
But if you’re lying to yourself, you’ll live in suffering.

A peaceful death comes from knowing you lived your truth.

Why not start living in your truth now?

4) Live in Harmony with the Universe

The moment you accept what the Universe gives, peace begins.

You can revolt, complain, resist… or you can let go and trust whatever unfolds.

Events happen as they do.

We’re the ones who assign meaning.

If you want to live harmoniously, either trust that it’s all for the better — or detach from needing a reason at all.

You can choose to run (and be in flow) or resist (and tumble).

5) Don’t Confuse Motion with Meaning

We’re addicted to busyness.

Just moving from one thing to the next.

And yet, we’re still not satisfied.

Travel, entertainment, success, novelty — they’re all beautiful (and fun) in moments.

But they’re still external.

And anything external is never fully yours.

Seneca says to focus on your inner world.

That alone can guide you to true peace regardless of where you are or who you are with.

6) Live in Wonder and Gratitude

My favorite word in the english language at the moment is wonder.

Might be why I changed the my newsletter name again.

Living in wonder is a beautiful thing.

But what does this mean?

It means to appreciate all that you have.

But even more than that, it means to live with open eyes and a soft heart.

To walk through life not with a sense of full control, but with a sense of awe.

6 Things You Can Actually Do to Live These Lessons