I have been on edge for about a week: head spinning, heart racing, waiting on the official announcement of The Providence Forge. The online store is open, with apparel in two collections—Stoic Inspiration and Faithful Living. Publishing the YouTube video introducing the site was the peak of that anxiety. Once it was out there, there was no going back.
I was looking for a way to express my values. In a world where thoughts, ideas, and emotions arrive nonstop, twenty-four hours a day, it often feels as if everything is spinning out of control. The news feed never stops, and most of it is crisis. I keep looking for ways not to be pulled into that torrent of negativity. I was craving stability and order. My values felt out of alignment with the world around me, and I know I’m not alone in that feeling.
I came across Stoic philosophy about ten years ago at a time in my life when I really needed it. I would get a feeling that I was getting overwhelmed—that I was being pushed around like a boat in a torrential storm, waves crashing and barely keeping afloat. Life was something that happened to me. I don't remember how, but I stumbled upon the wisdom of the ancient Stoics online. It did not replace my faith; it trained it. Epictetus taught it simply:
“Some things are in our control and others not. Things in our control are opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever are our own actions. Things not in our control are body, property, reputation, command, and, in one word, whatever are not our own actions.”
I'm hoping that the virtues of the ancient Stoics can provide comfort to others as they did for me. Their wisdom helps me move past my anxieties. My faith gives me purpose. The Bible carries ancient wisdom that complements living out a Stoic life. One of my favorites is from Ecclesiastes 3:11 which states, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." The Providence Forge exists for people to live out this philosophy and to live in faith. We are part of a larger order. Our character is forged with heat and pressure. Acceptance without passivity. Effort without frenzy. These designs are an expression of that truth: character is forged, not found. These are designs with a purpose.
I hope these ideas resonate with you and that the designs give you the strength to face a world of chaos—and a measure of peace. Both collections are up now: one on Stoic Inspiration and the other on Faithful Living. I'm excited to hear your thoughts on these designs, and welcome feedback now that they are available for purchase.
If you have any questions about the meanings of these designs, reach out to me by going to the contact section to send a message. You can also reach me on social media. Each item has a brief explanation of the meaning behind the design. This venture is just the beginning and I hope to have more exciting things to come in the near future. Journals, prints and other apparel remain on the workbench.
More reflections will be on the way and you will be notified when they become available. Also following The Providence Forge on the various socials such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and X can be a big help. Inspiring messages will be posted there daily. A simple follow can go toward getting the message out and we can walk this journey together.
Remember to keep forging on!
Musonius
References:
Epictetus. The Enchiridion. 1. Translated by Elizabeth Carter. 1758.
The Holy Bible, New International Version. Ecclesiastes 3:11.