I Can Work That Way, Too

[DISCLAIMER]

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 ancient Roman Stoic philosopher Gaius Musonius Rufus who stated, “Indeed, how could exile be an obstacle to a person’s own cultivation, or to attaining virtue when no one has ever been cut off from learning or practicing what is needed by exile?” (page 237).

When thinking of that quote I reflect back to 2003, when I was sentenced with an unfavorable discharge from military service. Senior Marines from my command chided my foreseeable opportunities, stating that I’d never “make it” with a less than honorable discharge.

Although the term “exile” relates to the state or a period of forced absence from one’s country or home, I was ostensibly exiled from the Marine Corps which had been my figurative home since 1996. From an REBT view, I self-disturbed quite a bit with irrational beliefs about my situation.

Nevertheless, I carried on (continuing forward, especially in spite of hindrance or discouragement) and in 2004 gained employment in the field of nuclear security. In essence, I doubled my military pay and reduced my cost of living by more than a factor of two.

Thus, I was able to “make it” in proverbial exile from my former military home. By the time I received my final discharge in 2007, I was doing quite well! Now, I contemplate that experience when considering that authors of The Daily Stoic state (page 237):

Late in his life, after a surgery, Theodore Roosevelt was told he might be confined to a wheelchair for the remainder of his days. With his trademark ebullience, he responded, “All right! I can work that way too!”

In a manner of speaking, the axiomatic legs upon which I stood while in the Marine Corps were shattered. Still, I maintained that I could work that way, too. Then, in 2008, I endured the undesirable circumstance of experiencing a number of health complications.

Correlated with time away from work for medical conditions was the termination of my employment while covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), though I could work (on myself) that way, too! Of this view, authors of The Daily Stoic state (page 237):

This is how we can respond to even the most disabling turns of fate—by working within whatever room is left. Nothing can prevent us from learning. In fact, difficult situations are often opportunities for their own kinds of learning, even if they’re not the kinds of learning we’d have preferred.

While undergoing my undergraduate studies, I sued my former employer. It turns out that it’s unlawful to terminate a person’s employment when covered by FMLA statutes in my particular circumstances. Fortunately, that case was settled amicably.

Still, the lesson I learned has remained with me ever since. I can “make it,” despite displeasing situations. I can work that way, too! This is a matter of resilience. Concluding their examination of this topic, authors of The Daily Stoic offer (page 237):

Musonius Rufus, for his part, was exiled three times (twice by Nero and once by Vespasian), but being forcibly expelled from his life and his home didn’t impinge on his study of philosophy. In his way, he responded by saying “All right! I can work that way too.” And he did, managing to squeeze in some time between exiles with a student named Epictetus and thus helping to bring Stoicism to the world.

Stoically, I was resilient enough to work through hard times rather than needlessly convincing myself, as others undoubtedly attempted to do, that I couldn’t “make it” due to unpleasant circumstances. Apparently, this is the path also chosen by Musonius Rufus.

Now, I offer this psychoeducational lesson to you. When the literal or virtual home in which you stand is no longer an option, as your proverbial legs are shattered by circumstance, will you give up? Is it truly the case that you can’t “make it”? Or, will you say, “I can work that way, too”?

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

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/

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. (2024, October 27). Correlation does not imply causation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/correlation-does-not-imply-causation

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

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. (2026, February 13). Five, four, three… beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/five-four-three-beliefs

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

Hollings, D. (2026, March 2). Get out of your own way: Petty annoyances and minor obstacles. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-out-of-your-own-way-petty-annoyances-and-minor-obstacles

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

Hollings, D. (2025, December 23). Keep calm and carry on. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/keep-calm-and-carry-on

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

Hollings, D. (2023, March 21). Matching bracelets. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/matching-bracelets

Hollings, D. (2024, June 16). On virtue. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-virtue

Hollings, D. (2025, April 25). Preferences vs. expectations. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/preferences-vs-expectations

Hollings, D. (2024, January 1). Psychoeducation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychoeducation

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, May 8). Resilience. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/resilience

Hollings, D. (2022, November 1). Self-disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-disturbance

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

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.). Epictetus. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epictetus

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_and_Medical_Leave_Act_of_1993

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Gaius Musonius Rufus. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaius_Musonius_Rufus

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Nero. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nero

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

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Theodore Roosevelt. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Roosevelt

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Vespasian. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespasian