Cancer patients get all sorts of medication given to them when they are going through treatment.
But for anyone going through this so-called ‘journey’ then you are going to need a whole lot more than what your oncologist will give you.
There’s other medicine available too and just as essential to keep you going.
This is the sort you can self-administer and authorise with a PhD.
What I’m talking about are the pills and potions from the Medicine Cabinet of Virtues.
It’s the sort of medicine that you can easily access, prescribe and dispense yourself. These are the rare medicines where the more you take, the stronger you get.
Let’s take a look at some of the medicines available for self-prescription from the Stoic Pharmacist, aka, you!
Remember, open this cabinet daily and take what you need when you need it.
COURAGE
Dosage: 1 bold step, 3 times a day. More in emergencies.
Directions for Use:
– Swallow fear first. Take with a deep breath and your chin held high.
– Works best when paired with action, not overthinking.
– Do not wait for fear to subside – take while afraid.
*Remember to take standing up, not sitting down.
*Most effective when taken before excuses kick in.
Side Effects: Temporary shaking, permanent growth, quiet confidence. You may also experience occasional regret for not doing it sooner.
Contraindications: Not for use if you plan to stay in your comfort zone indefinitely.
Warning: May lead you into storms others avoid – but also into victories they will never know.
Storage:
– Keep close to your heart, where fear can hear it beat.
– Do not lock away for “emergencies” – courage spoils when left unused.
– Best kept on hand and within easy reach at all times.
Refills: Unlimited — manufactured in-house by willpower.
GRIT
Dosage: One stubborn capsule twice daily – more if the day fights back. Take with a full glass of determination.
Directions for Use:
– Swallow whole – do not chew, sugarcoat or try to skip
– Do not skip doses, even on bad days — especially on bad days.
– Can be safely combined with failure, as long as you keep moving. Most effective when nothing is going your way.
*Works best when taken consistently, even when results are invisible.
*Combine with small steps and deep breaths for maximum effect.
Side Effects: Blisters, resilience, and an oddly satisfying exhaustion.
Contraindications: Not recommended for those seeking instant results or easy exits. May conflict with laziness, entitlement and chronic self-pity.
Warning: May make you allergic to excuses. Prolonged use may result in people calling you “relentless” – wear it proudly.
Storage:
— Store deep in your core, where doubt can’t reach it.
— Keep in a dry, resilient place — it thrives under pressure.
— Do not leave exposed to excuses, as they may weaken it.
— Always keep within arm’s reach — you’ll need it more often than you think.
Refills: Self-sustaining after initial use.
PATIENCE
Dosage: 1 slow-release capsule, morning and night.
Directions for Use:
– Do not chew. Let dissolve over time.
– Best combined with perspective, deep breathing and a long view of life.
– Works more effectively when you stop watching the clock and accepting what you cannot change.
Side Effects: Lower blood pressure, calmer mind, and fewer regrettable decisions. Increased tolerance for delays, detours, and difficult people.
Contraindications: Not effective if combined with a short fuse, constant comparison or unrealistic deadlines.
Warning: May cause the illusion that nothing is happening – trust the process.
Storage:
– Keep in a cool, quiet place and away from heated emotions.
– Best stored somewhere you can easily reach when things feel urgent.
– Do not expose to anger, haste, or constant checking — it spoils.
– Preserve by practicing daily; unused patience tends to expire.
Refills: Endlessly renewable — but takes time to work.
HOPE
Dosage: A generous dropper full every morning and an extra dose throughout the day as required. No risk of overdose.
Directions for Use:
– Best absorbed alongside a little self-belief faith and a good night’s sleep.
– Works best when paired with optimism and positivity.
*Take with an open mind and an open heart.
Side Effects: Free-range optimism, improved mood, brighter perspective. Increased resilience against doubt, fear and despair.
Contraindications: None — but may annoy pessimists. Not recommended for those unwilling to believe in the power of tomorrow being a better day.
Warning: Highly contagious. May spread to others without your consent.
Storage:
– Keep in a quiet corner of your heart, where doubt can’t reach it.
– Protect from cynicism and prolonged darkness.
– Do not store in others’ hands; it belongs to you alone.
– Check it regularly, even when you think you won’t need it.
– Keep somewhere easily accessible — storms tend to arrive without warning.
Refills: Infinite — bottled in your imagination. Hope replenishes every time you choose to look forward.
RESILIENCE
Dosage: One tablet after every setback – repeat as often as life demands. Double the dose if the situation feels impossible.
Directions for Use:
– Take immediately after falling and swallow whole. Do not dilute with excuses.
– Works best when paired with grit, perspective, and a refusal to stay down.
*Do not expect instant results – resilience builds with repetition.
Side Effects: Scars, grit, and a quiet strength that surprises even you. A growing belief that you can handle more than you thought. May cause others to ask how you’re still standing.
Contraindications: Not compatible with self-pity, giving up, or wallowing indefinitely. May conflict with the urge to wait for someone else to fix things.
Warning: You won’t know you’ve taken enough until you’re through the storm.
Storage:
– Store deep within yourself — it’s designed to survive the worst conditions.
– Keep in a cool, steady mind and a determined heart.
– Do not leave exposed to the opinions of others — it can corrode.
– Works even after long periods of neglect — but it strengthens if exercised regularly.
Refills: Revealed only when you think you’ve run out. It renews itself every time you rise after falling.
INTEGRITY
Dosage: Non-negotiable — take first thing in the morning.
Directions for Use:
– Take with a clear conscience and a full class of self-respect.
– Do not break, bend, or water down. Integrity only works whole.
*Best taken consistently, even when nobody’s watching.
*Combine with humility and courage for maximum effect.
Side Effects: Deeper self-respect, trustworthiness, fewer regrets. May cause discomfort when surrounded by dishonesty. Occasional loneliness, but always worth it.
Contraindications: Do not mix with hypocrisy, deceit, or people-pleasing as it neutralises the dose.
Warning: May make you unpopular with liars and cheats. Integrity is fragile – once broken, it is difficult to repair. Handle with care.
Storage:
– Keep in a place where it can’t be bought or borrowed.
– Store in plain sight — it works best when visible.
– Do not lock it away for convenience — integrity weakens in hiding.
– Protect from compromise, but let it breathe in every decision.
Refills: Available daily, but fragile if neglected.
DISCIPLINE
Dosage: Take one firm tablet before dawn and another when excuses start rearing their ugly head. Take daily.
Directions for Use:
– Swallow immediately. Do not negotiate with yourself.
– Do not crush or dilute. Best taken with a schedule and a firm refusal to give up.
– Swallow your excuses before swallowing the pill.
*Do not wait for motivation – discipline is what makes motivation show up.
Side Effects: Real progress, stronger willpower, increased tolerance for discomfort and delayed gratification.
Contraindications: Do not combine with procrastination — they cancel each other out. Avoid mixing with perfectionism – progress is better than paralysis.
Warning: Discipline tastes bitter at first but the results are always sweeter. May lead to personal pride and fewer regrets.
Storage:
– Keep in plain sight — do not hide it behind excuses.
– Best stored in your daily routine, where you can reach for it without thinking.
– Do not leave unattended in “tomorrow” — it loses potency.
– Protect from procrastination and laziness, which may corrode the dose.
– Store at room temperature, with a cool head and a steady hand.
Refills: Unlimited – renewed every morning you show up.
KINDNESS
Dosage: Apply generously, at least three times daily.
Directions for Use:
– Rub into wounds, yours and theirs.
– Most effective when undeserved.
– Works on strangers, friends, enemies, and yourself.
*Combine with patience and humility for maximum effect.
Side Effects: Warmer relationships, softer edges, unexpected reciprocation, better sleep. May inspire unexpected kindness in others. Occasionally mistaken for weakness.
Contraindications: Not effective when mixed with insincerity or hidden agendas. May lose potency if only applied selectively.
Warning: Habit-forming and so can lead to an addiction. Society may expect more from you.
Storage:
– Store close to the surface — easy to access at a moment’s notice.
– Keep at room temperature — warm enough to feel, cool enough to think.
– Do not lock away for “special occasions” — it stays fresh with use.
– Keep extra on hand — someone else will need it when you least expect.
– Save a portion for yourself — you deserve some, too.
Refills: Endless — the more you use, the more you have.
SELF-WORTH
Dosage: One strong dose in the morning — and a reminder dose anytime you feel small. Take as often as necessary.
Directions for Use:
– Take without apology.
– Best absorbed when paired with boundaries and gratitude.
– Do not dilute to make others comfortable — full strength only.
– Works best when you stop comparing your dose to someone else’s.
Side Effects: Improved posture, clearer choices, and a tendency to say “no” when needed. May cause discomfort in people who preferred you insecure. Occasional awkward silence after you assert yourself.
Contraindications: Not effective when mixed with constant self-criticism or people-pleasing. May conflict with perfectionism — adjust mindset accordingly.
Warning: Effects may feel unfamiliar at first. Keep taking it — you’ll grow into it.
Storage:
– Store in your heart, not in others’ opinions.
– Keep it close, even when challenged.
– Do not leave in the hands of those who haven’t earned it.
Refills: Unlimited — replenishes every time you treat yourself with respect.
POSITIVITY
Dosage: One uplifting dose in the morning and a booster shot whenever negativity starts speaking louder than you. Take generously.
Directions for Use:
– Take especially on bad days.
– Best when combined with gratitude, humour, and perspective.
– Do not confuse with blind optimism. Positivity works with what you have, not what you wish you had.
– Works better when shared freely — it multiplies when given away.
Side Effects: Lighter outlook, stronger resilience, and hopeful persistence with occasional contagious laughter. A tendency to notice silver linings where others see only clouds.
Contraindications: Not effective if paired with toxic perfectionism or constant complaining. May lose potency if used only when convenient. Not effective if hoarded – it needs to be circulated.
Warning: Can feel forced at first — keep taking it and it will become second nature.
Storage:
– Store in plain sight — don’t hide it away.
– Do not leave it in the care of others – your supply is your responsbility.
– Do not let others deplete your supply — refill as needed.
– Keep some handy — you’ll find others often need to borrow.
Refills: Unlimited — manufactured daily with choice and perspective.
GRATITUDE
Dosage: Take one full spoonful with breakfast and another before you close your eyes at night. Optional booster doses anytime you feel like complaining.
Directions for Use:
– Best when taken slowly — savour each dose.
– Works better when written down or spoken aloud.
– Can be combined with kindness and humility for maximum effect.
– Take daily — even (and especially) when life feels unfair.
Side Effects: Calmer mind, deeper contentment, and surprising perspective. Fewer comparisons, more smiles. May make ordinary moments feel extraordinary.
Contraindications: Not effective if paired with envy or chronic dissatisfaction. May be rejected if you insist on only noticing what’s missing.
Warning: May lead to a sense of abundance, even when little has changed.
Storage:
– Keep close to your heart. It works better there than on a shelf.
– Store somewhere visible to remind yourself to use it.
– Do not hoard for big occasions as it is designed for everyday use.
– Share liberally as the more you give away, the more you seem to have.
Refills: Unlimited — renewed every time you pause and notice what you already have.
FORTITUDE
Dosage: Take one steady dose every morning and an extra whenever the weight feels too heavy. Take as often as necessary; it will hold.
Directions for Use:
– Swallow whole — fortitude is not meant to be taken in pieces.
– Best when paired with courage, patience, and quiet resolve.
– Do not save for later — fortitude strengthens under pressure.
– Works even when fear and doubt are present — take anyway.
Side Effects: Firmer backbone, steadier gaze, and the ability to bear more than you thought you could. A calm presence in the middle of storms. Occasional surprise at your own strength.
Contraindications: Not compatible with self-pity, panic, or giving up at the first sign of strain. Do not take with resentment — it weakens the dose.
Warning: May feel heavy at first — but lightens everything else you carry.
Storage:
– Keep deep within your core — it grows stronger there.
– Do not lock away for emergencies only — it’s needed daily.
– Keep accessible when others lean on you — fortitude is contagious.
– Protect from corrosion by bitterness — polish with gratitude.
Refills: Infinite — renewed each time you endure and stand tall.
RESOLVE
Dosage: Take one firm tablet before deciding and another every time doubt creeps in. Take until the job is done.
Directions for Use:
– Swallow whole as hesitation waters it down.
– Best when paired with discipline and patience.
– Do not delay your dose, resolve is strongest when fresh.
– Works best when taken in silence.
Side Effects: A reputation for “stubbornness” that looks a lot like grit. Ability to see things through when others quit. Fewer half-finished projects, more pride in your trail.
Contraindications: Not effective when mixed with indecision, fear of judgment, or endless second-guessing.
Warning: Once you take it, you’re expected to finish.
Storage:
– Keep close to your word — resolve grows brittle if ignored.
– Store somewhere you can reach it quickly when the moment comes.
– Do not lend it out — it’s yours to carry.
Refills: Unlimited — every time you keep a promise to yourself.
ENDURANCE
Dosage: One long-lasting dose at sunrise and another whenever the road stretches farther than expected.
Directions for Use:
– Take standing up, even when you feel like lying down.
– Works best with quiet determination and slow, steady steps.
– Take daily — it builds with use.
– Do not confuse with “toughness” — endurance is quieter, but stronger.
Side Effects: An ability to keep going long after others have stopped. Deeper reserves of strength than you thought you had. Occasional sore feet, always followed by steady progress.
Contraindications: Not effective if you keep looking for shortcuts.
Warning: You won’t notice it’s working until you look back and see how far you’ve come.
Storage:
– Keep deep in your chest — it strengthens under pressure.
– Keep within reach when the path feels endless.
– Protect from corrosion by resentment — polish with gratitude.
Refills: Infinite — renewed each time you take one more step.
FOCUS
Dosage: One clear capsule at the start of every day — and another whenever distraction strikes.
Directions for Use:
– Take with intention and remove unnecessary noise.
– Works best when paired with clear priorities and a quiet workspace.
– Do not split your dose — it loses potency when scattered.
– Take regularly to sharpen the effect over time.
Side Effects: Improved productivity, clarity of thought, and calm amid chaos. Reduced tolerance for interruptions and busywork. Occasional loss of interest in trivia and gossip.
Contraindications: Not compatible with multitasking, constant notifications, or shiny distractions.
Warning: Focus tends to make others wonder why you’re “so serious” — ignore them.
Storage:
– Keep where you can see it when the noise gets loud.
– Store in your mind’s quiet corners — protect it from clutter.
– Keep a reserve handy — distractions arrive without warning.
Refills: Always available — just clear the space and reclaim it.
SELF-RELIANCE
Dosage: Take one strong tablet in the morning and another when you feel the urge to wait for rescue.
Directions for Use:
– Best swallowed with confidence and courage.
– Take even when others say “you can’t.”
– Works best when paired with resilience and humility.
– Do not wait for permission to take it.
Side Effects: Quiet confidence, increased independence, and an unshakable core. Occasional discomfort from carrying your own load — and pride for doing it. Tends to inspire others to stand on their own too.
Contraindications: Not effective when mixed with constant dependence on approval or blame-shifting.
Warning: May cause others to mistake you for “cold” or “too strong” — they’ll understand later.
Storage:
– Keep close to your heart — it anchors you when the ground shakes.
– Do not store in others’ hands — they will drop it.
– Protect it from corrosion by self-doubt.
Refills: Unlimited — replenished every time you solve your own problem.
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