It is January 2026 and to kick off the new year the Spirit of ‘76 theme is Stoicism. This is fitting for the start of the year and the start of a project because a stoic outlook provides a foundation and grounding before proceeding into the contentious chaos of politics and culture.
Stoicism is an ancient Greek philosophy that teaches the development of self-control and fortitude as a means of overcoming destructive emotions. It promotes the idea that the path to peace, happiness, and virtuous life lies not in trying to control the world around us, but in focusing on and mastering our internal responses to external events. The stoic accepts what they cannot control and finds tranquility in focusing on their own behavior and attitude.
“Hopes and Prayers”, a song about stoic perseverance, will be released on Friday, January 9th. Get ready to bop your head to this happy track and feel motivated. It will be accompanied by articles, including an AI lyric analysis and a top 10 playlist of related songs by other artists.
Thinking Thursdays Schedule
| January 1st, 2026 | How the Spirit of ’76 Can Disarm the Politics of 2026 |
| January 8th, 2026 | Stoicism in an Age of Turbulence |
| January 15th, 2026 | “You Are Not Harmed Unless You Think So”: Marcus Aurelius for Hard Days |
| January 22nd, 2026 | “Thoughts and Prayers” or “Hopes and Prayers”? Language, Comfort, and Responsibility |
| January 29th, 2026 | “Hopes and Prayers” as a Stoic Mantra: From Cliché to Inner Discipline |
Let’s build up our stoic fortitude for the year to come! Thank you for reading,
Realizing News
Realizing News 
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