Wisdom Bar: Life Questions, Stoic Answers

Welcome to 2026
Drop into the Fremont Stoics Wisdom Bar.
Starting the year with some ancient wisdom that hit me differently this time: "Work intelligently with what is given, and don't waste time fantasizing about a world of flawless people and perfect choices." -Marcus Aurelius
Here's what I'm taking into this year: Stop waiting for the perfect moment to enjoy life. There's beauty in the imperfect—the messy family dinner, the work project that didn't go as planned, the conversation that was awkward but real.
This year, I'm done chasing some future "better" version of myself. I'm choosing to be that person now—someone who lives well with who they are, where they're from, and what they have. Not despite these things, but through them. Freedom is what you do, with what's been done to you.
We don't need perfect circumstances to be kind, brave, or honest. The ordinary day that contains everything we need. We don't need everything to line up just right to live well. We just need to show up and work with what we've got—this messy, imperfect, beautiful life.
Here's to 2026. To embracing what is. To finding the good in the ordinary. To making it count.
Happy New Year, everyone. 🎊

Gerry & James.
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