Salutations everyone, it is February the 1st and this month we are talking about passions and emotions and the intention for today, I cultivate inner peace through conscious choice. I cultivate inner peace through conscious choice. I cultivate inner peace through conscious choice.

And for the daily stoic, for the hot-headed man, keep this thought handy when you feel a fit of rage coming on: It isn't manly to be enraged. Rather, gentleness and civility are more human and therefore manlier. A real man doesn't give away to anger and discontent. As such, a person has strength, courage, and endurance. Unlike the angry and complaining, the nearer a man comes to a calm mind, the closer he is to strength. — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 11, 18, 5b

Why do athletes talk trash to each other? Why do they deliberately say offensive and nasty things to their competitors when the refs aren't looking to provoke a reaction? Distracting and angering opponents is an easy way to knock them off their game. Try to remember that when you find yourself getting mad, anger is not impressive or tough. It's a mistake. It's weakness, depending on what you are doing. It might even be a trap that someone laid for you.

Fans and opponents call boxer Joe Louis the "ring robot" because he was utterly unemotional. His cold, calm demeanor was far more terrifying than any crazed look or emotional outbursts would have been. Strength is the ability to maintain a hold of oneself. It's being the person who never gets mad who cannot be rattled because they are in control of their passions rather than controlled by their passions.

This was for me to hear. Thank you all and have a good day.