CallumAI character

Stoicism for the moment the rude message lands.

The Calm Hand is 30 days of Stoic practice, in the voice of Callum: thirty everyday situations, one old line for each, and one thing to do in the moment.

Instant PDF download (US Letter and A4)

Coming soon

Written in the voice of Callum, an AI character. He is not a real person and holds no qualifications. Written with AI assistance and edited by Lamp & Leaf Press.

Seller details: Contact

You know the idea: some things are in your hands and some are not. Then a rude message lands, the train is cancelled, the plate slips out of your hand, and the idea is nowhere to be found.

Most Stoic journals give you a quote and a page to reflect on. That trains reading. This book is built for the moment itself: a situation, a cue and three steps you can do in seconds. You need two minutes in the morning, a few seconds in the moment, and five minutes in the evening.

What's inside

Each day gives you two pages:

  • The situation, described the way it actually happens.
  • One line from the Stoics, word for word from George Long's public-domain translations (Marcus Aurelius, 1862; Epictetus, 1877), with book and section, checked against scans of those first editions.
  • In plain words: what the line means for this exact moment, in Callum's calm, dry voice.
  • In the moment: three short steps, and a cue to say under your breath ("Facts first. Reply later.").
  • A practice log: a morning question, an "afterwards" question, lines to write on, and a box to tick.

Also inside:

  • "Where you are now": eight honest questions before day 1, and the same eight after day 30, so you can see what changed.
  • Four weekly reviews.
  • "The one idea underneath": the old sorting of what is in your hands and what is not, with a page to try it.
  • A sources page listing every quotation with its book and section.
  • 79 pages. You don't need to know anything about Stoicism.
A sample page from the workbook: Day 1, The rude message, with a line from Epictetus in George Long's 1877 translation, a plain-words note, three steps for the moment and the cue Facts first. Reply later.
Day 1 of 30: the situation, a line from Epictetus with its source, what it means here, three steps for the moment and today's cue.

Who it's for

  • Anyone who has read a little Stoicism, or seen it online, and wants to actually use it on an ordinary Tuesday.
  • Anyone with about 10 minutes a day, across three short moments.

Who it's not for

  • Anyone looking for therapy or counselling. This is a practice workbook for everyday frustrations. It is not medical, legal or financial advice, and it does not treat any condition. If you are struggling, please talk to a doctor or someone you trust; if you are in danger or in crisis, contact your local emergency number.
  • Anyone who wants a reading book of Stoic philosophy: this one is about doing, not reading.

FAQ

Is Callum a real person?

No. Callum is an AI character created by Lamp & Leaf Press: a calm workshop mentor, invented to make old Stoic ideas easy to practise. He has no life story and no qualifications, and he never claims either.

Are the quotes real?

Yes. Every quotation is word for word from George Long's English translations of Marcus Aurelius (1862) and Epictetus (1877), which are in the public domain, and each one is listed with its book and section. No made-up "Stoic quotes".

How do I get it?

Straight after payment, your download links appear on screen and arrive by email. The links work for 72 hours, and your order page gives you fresh links any time.

What format is it?

A PDF, 79 pages, in two sizes: US Letter and A4 (you get both). Print it (single-sided works best, so you can write on every page) or fill it in on a tablet with a pen. For your own use: print it as often as you like, but please don't share or resell the file. Start any day; if you miss one, carry on the next day. The days don't expire.

Was AI used?

Yes. Written in the voice of Callum, an AI character. Written with AI assistance and edited by Lamp & Leaf Press. The quotations themselves are George Long's own words, checked against scans of his first editions.

Can I get a refund?

Because this is an instant download, there are no refunds once your download starts. If a file doesn't arrive or doesn't work, email us and we'll fix it, or refund you if we can't. This doesn't affect your legal rights.

Your right of withdrawal (EU digital content)

This is digital content delivered immediately. Before you pay, you agree that delivery starts straight away and confirm that you therefore lose your statutory 14-day right of withdrawal once the download begins.

Lamp & Leaf Press. © 2026 Lamp & Leaf Press.