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David Von Drehle's neighbour, Charlie White, was 102.

White and Von Drehle became friends. Now Von Drehle has written a book about Charlie.

When Charlie was only eight, his father died in an accident. But Charlie never complained about how unfair this was.

Instead, he believed he could get through anything, no matter how awful. He also decided that it was not how long you live that matters, but what you do with your time.

Von Drehle saw Charlie as a believer in StoicismA philosophy that originated in the ancient world and still has many adherents today. Stoics seek to control their emotions and preserve their happiness in the face of adversity.. This ancient Greek belief focuses on living a good life. It says you should control your feelings.

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It also says you should be wise and fair, and try not to envyWanting things that others have. and worry. It teaches us to see the difference between things that are in our power and those that are not.

Should we all become Stoics?

Yes! Like Charlie, we are living in times which are changing quickly. Stoicism will help us to see the good side of life even if our plans have to change.

No! We cannot control how we feel anymore than we can control the world around us. Trying to be something you are not is a waste of time.