Focus Energy on Your Inner Life

[DISCLAIMER]

As a kid, I was fan of the Chicago Bears. Although I didn’t know the rules of so-called “American” (United States) football, other boys with whom I associated liked the Bears. So, I figured that I liked what my friends liked. (That’s the reasoning of a child.)

William “the Refrigerator” Perry was my favorite player. As I was a rotund kid, I liked that Perry occasionally played fullback in goal line situations and set the record for the heaviest player to score a touchdown at 335 pounds. I even had a poster of him on my bedroom wall.

In 1986, I was ecstatic when the Bears won Super Bowl XX. Therefore, I was quite hopeful regarding the 1987 Chicago Bears season during the following year. Meanwhile, I was barely passing my courses at school. As well, I was a frequent guest in the principal’s office.

Irrespective of whether or not I understood the game of football, I devoted a significant portion of my energy (i.e., thoughts, attention, focus, concern, effort, etc.) to a football team that didn’t even know of my existence. Now thinking about this issue, I’m reminded of a book.

As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding a book entitled The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman.

The authors quote Stoic philosopher Seneca who stated, “Believe me, it’s better to produce the balance-sheet of your own life than that of the grain market” (page 122). What could he have meant by this? Further examining this matter, authors of The Daily Stoic state (page 122):

Seneca was writing this important reminder to his father-in-law, who, as it happened, was for a time in charge of Rome’s granary. But then his position was revoked for political purposes. Who really cares, Seneca was saying, now you can focus that energy on your inner life.

Just as I’d wasted my energy on the Chicago Bears, when my focus would’ve been better oriented on my performance in school, Seneca reminded his father-in-law about what was truly important in life. Concluding this topic, authors of The Daily Stoic state (page 122):

At the end of your time on this planet, what expertise is going to be more valuable—your understanding of matters of living and dying, or your knowledge of the ’87 Bears? Which will help your children more—your insight into happiness and meaning, or that you followed breaking political news every day for thirty years?

For me, the answers to these questions are obvious. I don’t watch football anymore, and haven’t for years. And while I pay attention to politics, I don’t allow matters which I can’t control or influence to absorb too much of my energy. How about you? Where does your energy go?

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

Photo credit, fair use

References:

Daily Stoic. (n.d.). Translating the Stoics: An interview with “The Daily Stoic” co-author Stephen Hanselman. Retrieved from https://dailystoic.com/stephen-hanselman-interview/

Etsy. (n.d.). 1987 Chicago Bears Chicago tribune promo poster 20 x 30 vintage poster [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.etsy.com/listing/492144511/1987-chicago-bears-chicago-tribune-promo

Holiday, R. and Hanselman, S. (2016). The daily stoic: 366 meditations on wisdom, perseverance, and the art of living. Penguin Random House LLC. Retrieved from https://www.pdfdrive.com/the-daily-stoic-366-meditations-on-wisdom-perseverance-and-the-art-of-living-d61378067.html

Hollings, D. (2022, May 17). Circle of concern. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/circle-of-concern

Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer

Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Fair use. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fair-use

Hollings, D. (2024, May 17). Feeling better vs. getting better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/feeling-better-vs-getting-better-1

Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better

Hollings, D. (2024, September 24). Happy place. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/happy-place

Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/

Hollings, D. (2024, May 27). Intellectual vs. emotional insight. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/intellectual-vs-emotional-insight

Hollings, D. (2025, January 3). Kayfabe. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/kayfabe

Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching

Hollings, D. (2022, June 23). Meaningful purpose. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/meaningful-purpose

Hollings, D. (2024, May 5). Psychotherapist. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapist

Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt

Hollings, D. (2024, December 5). Reasoning. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/reasoning

Hollings, D. (2024, November 9). Same energy. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/same-energy

Hollings, D. (2024, April 21). Stoicism. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/stoicism

Hollings, D. (2025, January 16). The words we use matter. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-words-we-use-matter

Hollings, D. (2025, February 28). To try is my goal. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/to-try-is-my-goal

Wikipedia. (n.d.). 1987 Chicago Bears season. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1987_Chicago_Bears_season

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Chicago Bears. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bears

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Ryan Holiday. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Holiday

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Seneca the Younger. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seneca_the_Younger

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Super Bowl XX. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_XX

Wikipedia. (n.d.). William Perry (American football). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Perry_(American_football)