"No matter what anyone says or does, my task is to be good."
- Marcus Aurelius
Here are a few words I’m considering this week. I was reflecting on where I need to lean in or make a change. These are important words but not exhaustive. Some I get right, others I get wrong. I’m just a work in progress and thought I’d share in case you find them helpful too. I’m including my thoughts about the word with some wisdom from Emperor Marcus Aurelius from his journal that he kept more than 2,000 years ago.
Patience.
Make space for objectivity, growth, and truth. Give yourself enough time to find potential and see the world for what it is.
“Everywhere, at each moment, you have the option: to accept this event with humility, to treat this person as they should be treated, to approach this thought with care so that nothing irrational creeps in.” - Marcus Aurelius
Self-Control.
Be objective in how you see the world, move purposefully from one unselfish action to another, and enable your mind to accept what is beyond its control and act on what is. Self-control in perception, action, and will.
“Concentrate on what you have to do. Fix your eyes on it. Remind yourself that your task is to be a good human being; remind yourself what nature demands of people. Then do it without hesitation, and speak the truth as you see it. But with kindness. With humility. Without hypocrisy.” - Marcus Aurelius
Cheerfulness.
Suffering cannot be escaped. Endure it with a smile. You can at least laugh at the pain and help others laugh too. All things are temporary, and how you think about the world colors your reality.
"The things you think about determine the quality of your mind. Your soul takes on the color of your thoughts."- Marcus Aurelius
“Don’t be overheard complaining about life. Not even to yourself.” - Marcus Aurelius
"What doesn’t transmit light creates its own darkness." -Marcus Aurelius
Courage.
Most fear is selfish. Don’t let it stop you from being what you and the world needs.
“My only fear is doing something contrary to human nature—the wrong thing, the wrong way, or at the wrong time.” - Marcus Aurelius
"Do not think that courage lies only in boldness and power. The highest courage is the courage to be higher than your rage and love someone who has offended you. —PERSIAN WISDOM1
Truth.
Seek it and share it, without exception, in things that matter - particularly with yourself.
“If anyone can refute me—show me I’m making a mistake or looking at things from the wrong perspective—I’ll gladly change. It’s the truth I’m after, and the truth never harmed anyone. What harms us is to persist in self-deceit and ignorance.” - Marcus Aurelius
Justice.
Do right, always. Fight for it, especially when no one else will or for those who cannot fight for themselves.
“Care for all humans is part of being human.”- Marcus Aurelius
"You can also commit injustice by doing nothing." - Marcus Aurelius
Change.
Nothing is permanent. Use that momentum today to do good, right wrongs, and find your potential.
"Everything’s destiny is to change, be transformed, and perish. So that new things can be born." -Marcus Aurelius
Patience, self-control, cheerfulness, courage, justice, truth, and change. Some words I’m considering this week and some actions I’m trying to take.
These words all represent hard choices. The best things in life are usually hard.
Take care,
Tolstoy, Leo. A Calendar of Wisdom: Daily Thoughts to Nourish the Soul, Written and Se (p. 134). Scribner. Kindle Edition.
A Few Words To Consider