I’ve been listening to Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. The one word that I’ll remember the book by is “perspective.”
“Keep perspective” seems to be the one piece of advice Marcus reflects on the most. He does this by constantly reminding himself of death.
In doing so, he reflects on the futility of chasing fame and sensory pleasures. And, he doesn’t seem to tire of reminding himself of his place in the world – that of an evolutionary speck – in these reflections.
Marcus Aurelius was probably the most powerful person in the world at the time. So, the nature of these notes are all the more impressive given the immense power he held. He clearly passed his stoic examinations with flying colors.
As I listened to him and reflected on the week that went by, I realized how sorely I missed keeping perspective.
More work to do, I have.
