So, I wanted to share a bit about something I've been trying out, something that's been on my mind. It’s about this old fella, Mark Aurel. Yeah, the Roman emperor. Sounds a bit highbrow, maybe, but stick with me. It’s more down-to-earth than you’d think.
I stumbled onto his stuff, specifically his book 'Meditations,' when I was going through one of those phases, you know? Everything felt a bit much, a bit loud. I wasn’t looking for a life overhaul, just maybe a different way to look at things. So, I picked it up, not expecting much. Some of it was dense, I’ll be honest. But then, bits and pieces started to really stick.
The main thing that got me thinking was this idea of focusing on what you can actually control. Sounds simple, right? But man, try putting that into practice when your computer crashes before you save your work, or when someone cuts you off in traffic. My first attempts were a joke. I’d tell myself, “Okay, be calm, focus on your reaction.” Five minutes later, I’d be fuming about something tiny. It’s a real struggle, not gonna lie.
But I kept at it, like a daily exercise. I’d read a bit in the morning. He talks a lot about 'virtue' – which, to me, just boils down to trying to be a decent person. Things like being fair, even when it’s tough, or having a bit of courage when you’re scared, keeping a lid on things when you want to explode, and trying to be sensible. Hard work, let me tell you. It’s not like a switch you flip.
One thing I really tried to work on was this 'inner peace' he mentions. Not in a floaty, mystical way, but just trying not to let every little annoyance throw my whole day off track. So, if a plan got cancelled, instead of grumbling for hours, I’d try to think, “Okay, what can I do now?” Sometimes it worked, sometimes I still grumbled. It’s a process, definitely not a destination.
He also talked about accepting that life is always changing, that nothing stays the same, good or bad. That one’s a tough pill to swallow sometimes, especially when things are going well. But it also means the bad times won’t last forever, which is a bit of comfort, I guess. And this idea of living in the present moment – I’m still wrestling with that one. My mind likes to wander off to worries or rehash old stuff. But I try. Even for a few minutes, just to notice what’s actually happening around me, not what my brain is cooking up.
So, this whole Mark Aurel thing for me, it’s not about becoming some kind of emotionless statue. Far from it. I still get stressed, I still mess up. But it’s become a sort of guide. Like having a very old, very wise, and slightly stern friend who reminds you to take a breath and think before you fly off the handle. Some days I listen, some days I don’t. But the practice itself, the trying, that’s what seems to matter.
It’s been a slow burn, this experiment. No sudden revelations, just small shifts over time. Maybe I’m a tiny bit more patient. Maybe I think a bit more before I react. It’s an ongoing thing, for sure. Just wanted to share what I’ve been up to. It’s not magic, just some old thoughts that still seem to have some weight to them. Might be worth a look if you’re feeling a bit frazzled yourself.
