Legend has it that Marcus Aurelius wept when he was told he’d be emperor of Rome.
He was a studious man who preferred spending time with his books.
But he’d always moved in noble and imperial circles. He knew very well the nastiness, sycophancy, and scheming that took place at court.
He also knew the impossible responsibilities that an emperor had to manage.
Marcus wanted nothing to do with any of it.
But he was probably better prepared for it than any other soul in the empire. He’d been tutored by philosophers and Stoics. He was engaged with the personal work of maintaining a peaceful spirit and well-balanced mind.
This type of work isn’t a one-and-done thing. It’s not like you “do the work” on yourself and then you’re good for the rest of your life. It’s an ongoing practice. That’s why Marcus kept journals (his book of “Meditations”).
The well-being of the empire literally hinged on the well-being of his own individual mind.
Most of us aren’t dealing with pressure that big.
But life still throws us curveballs. We lose a job. A relationship. Everything we worked for gets knocked down, and we have to start at the beginning. War breaks out. Or we get a sudden boost in fortune and have to deal with sudden increased responsibility and resources.
Make friends with your mind and your heart.
They’ve been with you all this time. They’ll be with you through whatever comes next. If you’re friends with them, you can better hear their guidance. Your actions will match your “nature.” That’s called integrity.
Quothe our man, Marcus:
“Lift me up and hurl me. Wherever you will. My spirit will be gracious to me there—gracious and satisfied—as long as its existence and actions match its nature.
“Is there any reason why my soul should suffer and be degraded—miserable, tense, huddled, frightened? How could there be?”
This is the Stoic way of saying “Wherever you go, there you are.”
If your spirit is agitated, you’ll be agitated no matter what happens.
If your spirit is well balanced, you can navigate whatever comes your way with strength and grace.
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Love,
L.