Of all the books in my personal collection, ‘Meditations’ by Marcus Aurelius is perhaps the most read, and most annotated. I first discovered the writings of Aurelius back in 2005 and every year I find myself being drawn back into his work. His philosophy provides a framework on which each of us can base our life and I highly recommend ‘Meditations’ for anyone of you who are committed to improving your life.
Every Monday I plan to share with you an excerpt from ‘Meditations’, and discuss the continued relevance of Marcus Aurelius’ work. Today, I quote from Book Twelve, Paragraph One.
All the blessings which you pray to obtain hereafter could be yours today, if you did not deny them too yourself. You have only to have done with the past altogether, commit the future to providence, and simply seek to direct the present hour aright into the paths of holiness and justice: holiness, by a loving acceptance of your apportioned lot, since Nature produced it for you and you for it: justice, in your speech by a frank and straightforward truthfulness, and in your acts by a respect for law and for every man’s rights. Allow yourself, too, no hindrance from the malice, misconceptions or slanders of others, nor yet from any sensations this fleshly frame may feel; its afflicted part will look to itself. The hour of your departure draws near; it will but forget all else and pay sole regard to the helmsman of your soul and the divine spark within you – if you will but exchange your fear of having to end your life some day for a fear of failing even to begin it on nature;s true principles – you can yet become a man, worthy of the universe that gave you birth, instead of a stranger in your own homeland, bewildered by each day’s happenings as though by wonders unlooked for, and ever hanging upon this one or the next.
What Marcus Aurelius is saying here is that everyone has the power within them to achieve all that they want to achieve. We should ignore the malice, misconceptions or slanders of others, and focus on what we can do to achieve our dreams. As Eleanor Roosevelt so eloquently stated, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Ignore the doubters and the critics; and stay true to the twin ideals of holiness (appreciation and gratitude for everything you have) and justice (be honest and act with integrity); and you will live a noble, and rewarding, life.
