Right Thing, Right Now

Right Thing, Right Now is a Stoic guide to becoming a fairer, kinder, and more honest person, arguing the case for justice as it relates to us as individuals, our society at large, and, ultimately, all things in this world.

From becoming world-famous as a teenager to drug scandals and domestic abuse, Shia LaBeouf fell far from grace. In 2022, he resurfaced in a viral interview, vulnerably sharing his rehab journey and trying to make amends. Someone said they saw him pay for a family’s groceries, then sneak out the back so no one would know. Though far from perfect, it seems Shia has come a long way — and while not everyone can pay others’ bills, everyone can choose this kind of justice.

“The pursuit of justice begins with you,” Ryan writes. Legally, culturally, we might be able to get away with all kinds of stuff, but to be a good person, we should “choose to adhere to our own code.” What principles might your code contain? Ryan has ideas:

Keep the promises you make. Tell the truth and be an open book. Whatever your job, do it as best as you can. Focus on being consistently good instead of trying too hard to be great. Protect your integrity, be loyal, and choose a North Star to work towards.

Initially, your code might feel limiting. But in the long run, “our code frees us, gives us meaning, and, most of all, makes a positive difference.” Choose your code, and stick to it.

Right in his inauguration speech as governor in 1971, Jimmy Carter said “the time for racial discrimination is over.” Mere hours later, he started working on another pressing issue: a universal pardon for Vietnam War evaders. The idea wasn’t popular, but Carter pushed ahead. This and other policies later cost him a second term as president — but he did what he could while he could. “The clearest evidence that justice is the most important of all the virtues comes from what happens when you remove it,” Ryan writes. Imagine someone with lots of courage, discipline, or wisdom…who then uses those traits for evil and personal gain. “There is no virtue to counterbalance justice.” Why? Because justice’s true meaning only unfolds in a group of humans. The main reason we should try hard to be fair, forthright, and friendly is so we can better life and the world for others. For the people we love. For the people we know. Even for the people we don’t know and never will. How? Be kind, keep giving, and help wherever you see help being needed. Don’t be afraid to start small. Put yourself in other people’s shoes. Make the…