24 Comments
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Genevieve's avatar

Okay, y'all made me cry at this one! Such an indomitable spirit, so many great insights too. And the James Baldwin quote is 🔥

This is a fantastic collab, loved every word!

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

❤️❤️👊🏻

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Andres Ruiz's avatar

🤩🤩🤩

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Erin Miller's avatar

Honesty and acceptance (not to be confused with surrender), paired with faith (not to be confused with expectation) and determination. Love this post so much. It’s a piece worthy of a second and third read.

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Stockdale’s story, really both his and his wife’s, are perspective-setting. The fact that it all happened relatively recently makes it that much more relevant and empowering.

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The Girl Stoic's avatar

holy cow. so much power in this post. incredible collab- thank you.

I had never heard of him or his story before - reminds me a lot of David Goggins.

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

All respect to Goggins but Stockdale stands apart as a man, leader, and teammate.

Appreciate you Kirsten! Andres is awesome

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Bette A. Ludwig, PhD 🌱's avatar

I just listened to good to great not too long ago and I remember that reference you quoted. This was so good! Loved it! 😊

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Andres Ruiz's avatar

Yes! It’s an amazing quote

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Thank you! Andres is phenomenal and Stockdale is one of my heroes

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Bette A. Ludwig, PhD 🌱's avatar

I can't even imagine going through something like that. I think I'd crumble like a crumb cake! 😔

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Hopefully you never need to figure out the real answer to that question but you can definitely train the skill that is resilience to prepare for the worst if you had to!

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Bette A. Ludwig, PhD 🌱's avatar

Yes - hopefully not is right!

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Adam PT's avatar

Brilliant piece. That level of resilience defies normal human understanding, and yet, there it is, accessible as a choice.

Great collab, fellas. 👌

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Andres Ruiz's avatar

Thanks a lot brother

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Appreciate it brother

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Cj TruHeart's avatar

Wow, James Stockdale…you’re on another level.

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Legend

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Erik Hogan's avatar

Hey, thanks for sharing this one! Reading Stockdale's story is what first got me interested in Stoic philosophy so many years ago!

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

I still need to read his “Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot” book. In Love and War was incredible and readings others write about him was also a large influence on me. Incredible man in numerous ways and his wife was equally impressive during that crazy 8 year period

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Erik Hogan's avatar

Honestly, I haven't read the book, but I've printed out Stockdale on Stoicism I: The Stoic Warrior's Triad and Stockdale on Stoicism II: Master of My Fate. These were a couple of lectures he gave and available online.

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Welp, I have something else to add to the list now

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Baird Brightman's avatar

I find it a sad commentary on our culture and media-centric world that such a fine man as Adm. Stockdale was reduced to a punchline in the minds of millions ("Who am I? Why am I here?") after a televised VPotus debate. I suspect that such public ridicule would not have upset the man even a little bit. He knew who he was.

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ResilientScribe's avatar

Agreed

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