The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday

The Obstacle is the Way

Author: Ryan Holiday

Genre: Non-fiction

Format: Physical

Publish Date: May 2014

Read: October 2018

Favorite Quote: “If an emotion can't change the condition or the situation you're dealing with, it is likely an unhelpful emotion. Or, quite possibly, a destructive one. But it's what I feel. Right, no one said anything about not feeling it. No one said you can't ever cry. Forget "manliness." If you need to take a moment, by all means, go ahead. Real strength lies in the control or, as Nassim Taleb put it, the domestication of one's emotions, not in pretending they don't exist.”

Synopsis: The Obstacle is the Way teaches you how to make the best of a bad situation and how to overcome seemingly insurmountable hurdles. The purpose of this book is to show that you grow as a person when you push through obstacles rather than try to find ways around them. The Obstacle is the Way teaches you how not to be entitled.

Thoughts & Feelings: I was introduced to Ryan Holiday in 2018 as a keynote speaker at a conference, and I’ve been devouring everything he writes. In The Obstacle is the Way, Holiday embraces the philosophy of Stoics while simultaneously relating the ancient ways to the 21st century.

Since late 2018, I have fully embraced Stoicism as a personal philosophy. It’s helped me see the big picture in many situations. I’ve grown as a person directly because of Stoic practice. I experience less stress and anxiety, and I don’t get as riled up anymore about the little things. A common misconception about Stoicism is the adjective “stoic.” Stoic often implies no emotion or not displaying emotion, especially when describing people. You’re not working to eliminate your emotions through Stoic practice - far from it. Daily Stoic practice allows you to fully experience your emotions as they arise and gives you the tools to process them quickly and effectively to be productive, rational, courageous, fair, and wise.

Rating: 5/5 Stars

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