Live Well and Flourish – Episode 132: Agency Defines Character
Host: Craig Van Slyke
In this thought-provoking episode, Craig kicks off a new series presenting his personal collection of 35 axioms for living a flourishing life. Today’s focus: “Agency defines character.”
What You’ll Learn:
- Craig shares a personal story about overcoming his habit of being an angry driver. When he noticed how his reactions affected his wife, he consciously chose to change, demonstrating how agency—our capacity for choice—shapes who we are.
- Listeners are reminded that while many things in life lie outside our control, our reactions, emotions, and choices remain ours to direct. Drawing from Stoic philosophy (especially Epictetus), Craig highlights the importance of controlling what’s truly within our grasp: our opinions, desires, and, most crucially, our actions.
- Aristotle’s idea of habit formation is explored, emphasizing that character is built through repeated, conscious practice. Small, everyday choices—like how we respond in traffic—accumulate and eventually define us.
- Craig introduces Buddhist mindfulness as a practical tool for creating space between stimulus and response. By practicing “the pause,” we give ourselves the opportunity to make better decisions that align with the kind of person we strive to be.
Key Takeaways:
- Our circumstances do not define us—our responses do.
- Every choice, big or small, is an exercise in defining character.
- Building good habits transforms positive choices from conscious effort into second nature.
- Mindfulness practices help us cultivate the agency needed to become our best selves.
Craig’s core message is that flourishing starts with recognizing and embracing agency. By making choices rooted in who we wish to become, we steadily build the character necessary for a rich, fulfilling life.
If this episode resonates with you, Craig encourages you to share it with someone who might benefit. Find more resources and previous episodes at livewellandflourish.com.
Start flourishing today: pause, choose, and act in line with your best self.
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