Five Thoughts For A Stronger Mind
What if I told you that the private diary of one of Rome’s greatest emperors holds the cure for modern-day challenges? Marcus Aurelius, the most powerful man in the world at the time, never intended for his reflections to be published. They served as personal reminders for self-improvement. Luckily, his meditations have survived, offering us timeless wisdom today.
Marcus was a practitioner of stoicism, an ancient Greek philosophy that asserts our perception of things - rather than the things themselves- that cause most of our trouble in life. Stoicism offers practical tools for living a good life, characterized by resilience and inner peace, while constantly reminding us of our morality. Let the following words guide you through your daily challenges with grace and wisdom.
“You don’t have to turn this into something. It doesn’t have to have to upset you”.
In reality, there is no good or bad. Things just are. It is not the event, but our thoughts about the event that make us suffer. Realize this flaw in your thinking, and you will become calmer. You have a lot more control over it than you think.
“Assemble your life yourself - action by action”.
Looking at obstacles and achievements step by step, rather than one big hike up the mountain makes things seem a lot more doable. Every day, take a step and work on the thing for 15 to 30 minutes. After a whole year, look at how far you’ve ascended up the mountain.
“The best revenge is not to be like your enemy”.
When you plan revenge on your enemy, he/she holds power over you. Move on. No enemy is worth your valuable time. Don’t be brought down to another person’s standards, you’re better than that.
“Choose not to feel harmed - and you won’t feel harmed”.
When you change your thoughts about things, the things you look at change. The fundamental truth is no external forces are affecting our emotions - as much as it may seem that way. We have a choice to look at the positive in situations instead of the negative, every single day.
“If something is humanly possible, you can do it too”.
Whenever you feel challenged, hurt, anxious, or lost, remember that recovery is always possible. Many humans have overcome these issues, and it’s time for you to realize that you can too. What one monkey can do, another can. Let these words foster a mindset of possibility and optimism within you. Through hard work, people have accomplished remarkable things. Why shouldn’t you be among them?
After learning about stoicism, I took a step back and questioned all the fears that had accompanied me throughout my life. Most of the things that caused me to suffer were products of my imagination, not actual reality. This has been one of the most saddening yet freeing realizations. Now, whenever I feel anxious, stressed, or scared, I begin to question it, recognizing that it’s often my mind playing tricks on me.
If you want to learn more about Marcus Aurelius and stoicism, I would recommend taking a look at the following:
