From the moment you come out of this world, society started feeding you lies: that you’re not enough, that you don’t have the right to think for yourself, to want more, or to live on your own terms.
And over time, those voices get louder.
Expectations pile up.
And somewhere along the way, you forget that you were born free.
But here’s the truth: you don’t owe the world your submission, or the need to fit in.
As author Ryan Holiday puts it, a Stoic is someone who looks fate dead in the eye and says, “It’s not happening.”
They stay grounded. They keep going. They hold tight to what’s right—even when the world tries to shake them.
Because, as the Roman philosopher Seneca once said, “If they can force you, then you’ve forgotten how to die.”
In other words, real freedom doesn’t come from controlling the outside world. It comes from finding strength and steadiness inside yourself.
…
In The Seat of the Soul, Gary Zukav talks about this idea of authentic power; the kind of power that can’t be taken away from you.
It’s not about how you look, how much money you make, or how many people know your name. It runs much deeper than that.
As Zukav puts it:
“Authentic power is when your personality comes to serve the energy of your soul.”
In other words, real power shows up when the person you are on the outside aligns with who you truly are on the inside.
…
“Life reveals itself more and more,” says Spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle, “once you dive deep within the depths of your soul.”
That’s the only moment you’ll notice the things that truly matter, the ones that stay with you long after you’re gone.
This shift in perspective helps you let go of ego-driven stress and all the small stuff that doesn’t really mean much in the end.
Spinoza, one of my favorite philosophers, said it beautifully: “A free man thinks of nothing less than of death, and his wisdom is a meditation on life, not on death.” Simply put, someone who’s truly free isn’t fixated on when the end will come, they’re focused on how they’re showing up while they’re here.
…
Tim Urban’s The Tail End article gives us a pretty eye-opening look at how much time and energy we really have left.
It’s an eye-opening read that explores just how limited our time and energy really are.
“You and everyone you know are going to be dead soon.” In that short time, you’ve got a limited number of things to care about — and it’s way fewer than you think.” —Mark Manson
…
So, no matter what anyone says or how many opinions come your way, you’ve got to stay true to who you are.
Marcus Aurelius, one of the last truly good Roman emperors, pointed out how easy it is to care more about what others think than how we see ourselves.
The mind is a pretty weird tool.
But the Stoic mindset teaches us something important: you can’t control what happens, but you can control how you respond.
If you let pain or fear take over, in a way, you’re handing those emotions the steering wheel. Instead, try to connect with the best part of yourself, or focus on something bigger that truly matters.
Ask yourself every day: “Does what I’m doing right now give me energy, or drain me?”
Because, as they say, where your attention goes, your energy flows.
Think of your brain like an antenna, always picking up signals. So be mindful about what you tune into.
Gandhi put it perfectly: “Don’t let anyone walk on your soul with their dirty feet.” Don’t let their negativity affect you.
Shift your focus, and change what you allow in.
Surround yourself with a small circle of people who lift you up and push you to grow.
You’re not here to be stuck or controlled. You’re meant to be free—to spread your wings and let your spirit soar, baby!
“Some birds aren’t meant to be caged,” Morgan Freeman says in The Shawshank Redemption. “Their feathers are just too bright. And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was wrong to lock them up rejoices.”
So, don’t let fear hold you back.
We’re all a little weird in our own way. Some of us just hide it better.
Always remember that you are loved, you are worthy, your life matters, and being free is your birthright. No matter how long it takes you.
Herby Gee has been a writer and freelance blogger since 2019. He has published 200+ articles on Medium. A dedicated meditator, logged more than 16,900 minutes across 1,800+ sessions. When he’s not writing or blogging, you’ll find him hiking, reading, painting, or caring for animals. He’s passionate about sharing the insights he’s learning and living—right here at Leap Essence. Herby lives near Prospect Park in Brooklyn, NY.
