Because the highest form of power is self-governance.
The second phase of my life is an awakening, as I become what I call myself. It’s not as if I have never thought deeply, but I now have more clarity than I ever had in what I want out of the world, from others, and most importantly, from myself. I have deliberately taken a different route in a reaction-driven world by choosing a path that is based on contemplation rather than force, speed, or showmanship. My thinking is centered around philosophy. I’m not referring to the theoretical philosophy taught in academic institutions or stored in academic libraries, but rather the one that emerges from real-world experiences and lessons passed down for thousands of years. The kind that helps you think clearly in the chaos. Lead wisely under pressure. Live deliberately when it would be easier to drift. Philosophy stands as an untapped power advantage that will enhance every other form of power you use, whether you storm a building, lead a boardroom, or complete your final set in the gym.
The Gift We’ve Forgotten
In my former life as a police officer, spanning from tactical command to undercover work, I experienced thousands of moments that were both uplifting and disheartening about the human condition. I witnessed people lose control of their emotions when they felt disrespected by others. I saw people lose their lives due to road rage altercations that lasted only a few seconds. I stepped inside homes that had become sites of abuse.
The common trait that united all these people was their failure to think; instead, they reacted.
The philosopher Epictetus once said, “It’s not events that disturb people, but their judgments about them.” And he was right. The world is not suffering from any deficiency of intelligence, talent, or capability. It’s suffering from a lack of clarity and disciplined thought in the moment. We are the planet’s most advanced species. The ability to reflect on our actions and choose an appropriate response is a unique characteristic of being human. Yet most of us don’t practice using that gift.
Why?
Because we’re busy, and philosophy is typically associated with academics. The notion that success requires presenting the right image, projecting toughness, or gaining approval from others has led us to neglect our personal mastery. However, life will force us to confront these essential questions even if we do not desire to ask them.
What Will Matter in the End?
Two fundamental themes stand out in hospice research and end-of-life studies: love and forgiveness. (Ware, 2012). People don’t think about the size of their offices, their social media likes, or their ability to impress strangers during their final moments. People often reflect on the quality of their love relationships and their ability to forgive others at their deathbed.
Would your future self be proud of the way you live today?
If this question sparks even the slightest curiosity, then philosophy becomes your path.
Philosophy Is the Greatest Discipline of All
Philosophy, specifically through Stoicism, offers more than intellectual understanding, as it provides practical tools for life that are universal to the human condition. Real-time emotional regulation, along with values-based decision-making and living with integrity, forge a path worth understanding. Through the practice of virtue, the Stoics teach us to achieve eudaimonia, which means flourishing by aligning our actions with the four virtues of wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance.
This is not an abstract theory. It is an actionable discipline.
Modern neuroscience supports the ancient teachings of the Stoics, dating back 2,000 years. The prefrontal cortex—a brain region responsible for reasoning, impulse control, and self-awareness—becomes active when we learn to pause and redefine our responses instead of acting on impulse (Arnsten, 2009). Emotional reactivity in the amygdala triggers fight-or-flight responses that frequently result in post-event regret. Philosophical thinking enables you to achieve the fundamental human need of self-control, along with clarity and inner peace, which most people lack consciously.
Who Needs Philosophy?
• Tactical operators need it to avoid becoming victims of their adrenaline.
• Executives need it to lead with wisdom, not ego.
• Athletes need it to stay focused when their body wants to quit.
• Above all, humans need it. Adversity will challenge everyone regardless of their background, position, or aspirations.
The moment when adversity appears, your ability to think will establish both your destiny and the legacy that future generations will remember.
This Is Not About Being Perfect
The practice of philosophy does not stem from my having solved all problems. I practice it because I don’t. Because I’ve made mistakes. Because I’ve seen what happens when we live without mental discipline. Because I want to lead myself and others toward something better.
You need bravery to face yourself, rather than relying on any religious robe, academic degree, or access to a library. You need the courage to confront yourself. To choose meaning over noise. To pursue depth over distraction.
How to Begin
Start small. Begin each day by selecting one virtue that you will implement throughout the day. End your day with one reflection: Where did I react, and where did I respond? Journal. Read and read again. From Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, to Zeno of Citium, you can take just a few minutes each day to enhance clarity, reset focus, and form new habits. Take time before you express your words. You should study your emotions using the same method as tactical experts analyze terrain. Apply the same dedicated focus to training your mind that you would to your physical development, abilities, or strategic plans. The alternative is to react in the moment when the world needs you to respond.
Final Thought: This Is the Calling of Our Time
Philosophy stands as an essential requirement in life, rather than a privilege. The act of becoming a philosopher stands as a revolutionary move against a society that values immediate reactions and superficial thinking, often leading to outbursts and missed opportunities. This path represents the supreme duty that humanity can undertake because it helps people enhance their existence in the world.
“No man is free who is not master of himself.” — Epictetus
Join the path of philosophical wisdom through this invitation. Lead with purpose. Think for a higher reason. Through this transformation, every aspect of your life will experience elevation.
References
Epictetus. Discourses. (Hard, R., Trans., 2014)
Arnsten, A. F. T. (2009). Stress signaling pathways that impair prefrontal cortex structure and function. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10(6), 410–422.
Ware, B. (2012). The Top Five Regrets of the Dying. Hay House Publishing.
Siegel, D. J. (2012). The Developing Mind. Guilford Press.