Brain dye circa 150 AD

Marcus Aurelius Roman emperor (ce 161–180)

Reminds me about every 5 minutes the human condition is not special or new.

Through not observing what is in the mind of another a man has seldom been seen to be unhappy; but those who do not observe the movements of their own minds must of necessity be unhappy.

This one resonates with me especially today, in that I upset myself both by caring too much how others might judge my work, and for the way I was unsuccessful in harnessing my own thoughts.

For the present is the only thing of which man can be deprived, if it is true that this is the only thing which he has, and that a man cannot lose a thing if he has it not.

Be cheerful also, and see not external help nor the tranquility which others give. A man must stand erect, not be kept erect by others.

I believe in help from friends and family, but I also believe in the cultivation of inner strength. It's very important to me that I strengthen and tap this source first.

Labor not unwillingly, not without regard to the common interest, not without due consideration, nor with distraction; nor let studied ornament set off thy thoughts, and be not wither a man of many words, or busy about too many things.

Be purposeful.

If thou workest at that which is before thee, following right reason seriously, vigorously, calmly, without allowing anything else to distract thee, but keeping thy divine part pure, as if thou shouldst be bound to give it back immediately; if thou holdest to this, expecting nothing, fearing nothing, but satisfied with thy present activity according to nature, and with heroic truth in every word and sound which thou utterest, thou wilt live happy.

Do your thang.

Such are thy habitual thoughts, such also will be the character of thy mind; for the soul is dyed by the thoughts.When thou hast been compelled by circumstances to be disturbed in a manner, quickly return to thyself and do not continue out of tune longer than the compulsion lasts; for thou wilt have more mastery over the harmony by continually recurring to it.

I hit SOS meditation number 2 at lunch today; I did everything I could today to feel successful-food/clothing set up, went running, meditated and showered before work and still came up short.

Working on returning to a balanced disposition. I was reminded today that I don't always have to analyze bad days.


:)