Some Ways of Behaving

I thought it might be worthwhile this momentous day to look at 1. The Quaker way of governance i.e. how we order ourselves, and 2. Some Daily Stoic methods

Quoting from Lyn Cope-Robinson, The Little Quaker Sociology Book, Canmore Press, 1995:

“No doubt about it, the unique governing form of Quaker process is as interesting to contemplate as is Quaker history. Beyond representative democracy, similar to a town meeting but without voting, the Quaker business process

demands consensus before action,

accomplished in a prayerful Meeting for Worship. No Robert’s Rules of Order, no hierarchical administration, just the members representing themselves. The fact that this “leaderless” system works can be attributed to the depth each participant places the Quaker testimonies: Equality, Integrity, Peace, Simplicity and Community. While there have always been strong personalities among each generation of Friends, a closer look at their biographies or journals show their strength of conviction and respect toward others. Rather than seeking power, these Friends were successful in their efforts simply because they were honest and their views respected, p 91, (underlining mine).”

Or how about this quote from Daily Stoic 3-31-25:

“Okay, George, you have two options today, and only two. You can be happy, or you can be very happy.”

As George Raveling elaborates in his awesome new book What you’re Made For: Powerful Life Lessons from My Career in Sports, he “starts this simple but powerful choice every morning” because “It’s a reminder to myself that I have the power to set the tone for my day, to chose the attitude and mindset that I’ll bring to whatever challenges come my way.”

It’s a simple choice, but not easy. There’s a very good chance you’ll come across people who are impossibly frustrating—just as Marcus Aurelius warned us about 2,000 years ago. The people you’ll deal with today, he reminds himself in Meditations, will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous, and surly. You might face criticism, warranted or not, from people who just don’t get it. There will be delays and disruptions, frustrating inconveniences. People will let you down. Situations will bother you. Life will be unfair.”