How age-old advice can be useful today

Stoicism a stream of philosophy that began in Athens, Greece, around the year 300 BC. The Stoics wrote honestly, often self-critically, about how to become better people, be happier, and deal with the problems they faced. Their writings contain extremely practical advice, which is surprisingly relevant for managing challenges in today's world. Cultivating character (virtues), concern for others and a proper detachment from worldly goods is central. For example, they advise enjoying whatever good things happen to be available, whilst at the same time being prepared to give these things up and practicing this potential loss with negative visualization. They advise to concern yourself only with things that are within the realm of your control, as it is futile to worry about things you do not have any control over. One should claim agency and work towards a coherent, ambitious, achievable and flexible plan that is compatible with achieving higher life satisfaction. By cultivating positive emotions and rejecting negative ones, Stoics achieve tranquility.