Lessons from an American Stoic: Finding Strength in Change
- Lindy Lelij
- Mar 13
- 1 min read
Lately, I’ve been diving into Lessons from an American Stoic by my latest teacher, Mark Matousek. The book unpacks the wisdom of Waldo Emerson—a 19th-century spiritual pioneer and a true American Stoic. His ideas feel more relevant than ever as we navigate uncertainty and change.
Matousek quotes Emerson:
"After your foundational structures crumble, leaving you exposed to the elements, you realize that ultimate safety was always a fiction. The less defended you are, the more lucid, open, and game you are likely to be."
Mark Matousek follows this with a powerful line from 17th-century Japanese poet Mizuta Masahide:
"Since my house burned down, I now have a better view of the rising sun."
What if, instead of fearing the collapse of what we once relied on, we saw it as an opening—an invitation for clarity, new possibilities, and growth? Emerson believed we’re meant to burn down our emotional houses every so often and embrace the freedom that comes in the aftermath. It’s in these moments of fate that we discover our real strength.
So many of us are navigating shifts in our personal or professional lives. And while change can be uncomfortable, it often sparks the kind of transformation we never saw coming.
What about you? Have you ever faced a challenge that completely shifted your perspective? I’d love to hear your thoughts—feel free to share in the comments!
This post deeply resonates with me because self-trust is truly the foundation of growth, yet so many people overlook it. What I’ve found in my work is that self-trust isn’t about always having the “right” answer—it’s about allowing yourself to make choices without self-doubt clouding your mind.
A simple yet powerful practice I often share is this: Start noticing the small moments where you already trust yourself. Did you follow an instinct today? Did you set a boundary? Did you listen to your needs? These moments matter.
The more we recognize our inner wisdom, the stronger our trust becomes. Thank you for bringing awareness to this topic—it’s such a vital part of personal transformation.
Yes indeed recognizable! Through the experience of uncertainty, not yet knowing where my life was going, for example in the area of work or love, I was able to practice the art of keeping trust. It usually turned out well and even better. Because of that I gained more trust, in myself and in the presence of help. And also always being able to see the positive side of unpleasant events helps in keeping this trust.
Changing course and moving outside your comfort zone always comes with fear and insecurity and not knowing what comes next. Yet it has given me the most beautiful adventures and growth in my life, both personally and in my work. My advice, take the step and fly.
Love this perspective on embracing change with resilience! A great reminder that growth often comes from life's uncertainties.