When the end of his life drew nearer with each passing day, and illnesses coursed through his body, wise Marcus Aurelius was writing the majority of what we now know as his Meditations. In fact, it’s very likely that he was sure that death would be coming for him at any moment, and because of that, in a sense, he lived scared.
Even though he’d done much in his life, he was still the victim of his own emotions and the direct influence on his pain, thoughts, fears, and frustrations. In the little time he had left, he engaged in “the work” and fought, even then, to conquer his ego and discipline his spirit through practice.
I guess one his greatest lessons to the modern Stoic is this: until you’re dead, keep becoming better. When we live in this way, we enjoy the fruits of good character earlier in life, and ultimately, can be free from lacking gratitude, weak integrity, and an undisciplined mind.
(See y’all tomorrow)
Even though he’d done much in his life, he was still the victim of his own emotions and the direct influence on his pain, thoughts, fears, and frustrations. In the little time he had left, he engaged in “the work” and fought, even then, to conquer his ego and discipline his spirit through practice.
I guess one his greatest lessons to the modern Stoic is this: until you’re dead, keep becoming better. When we live in this way, we enjoy the fruits of good character earlier in life, and ultimately, can be free from lacking gratitude, weak integrity, and an undisciplined mind.
(See y’all tomorrow)
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