“Often injustice lies in what you aren’t doing, not only in what you are doing.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations. What might hold you back from taking action in the moment? Emotions. Fear of rejection, of conflict, of looking stupid, perhaps. What happens if you do nothing instead, and see a wrong being committed? Another set of emotions… Continue reading Time to think…about what you’re not doing
“When you see someone often flashing their rank or position, or someone whose name is often bandied about in public, don’t be envious; such things are bought at the expense of life. Some die on the first rungs of the ladder of success, others before they reach the top, and the few that make it… Continue reading Time to think…about success, rank and ego
“Whenever disturbing news is delivered to you, bear in mind that no news can ever be relevant to your reasoned choice. Can anyone break news to you that your assumptions or desires are wrong? No way!” Epictetus, Discourses. We choose the extent to which an external thing or event affects our emotions. We can sympathise with… Continue reading Time to think…about choosing your emotions
“Receive without pride, let go without attachment.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations. All things shall pass. Recognise what they mean to you in the moment and take note of their emotional influence. At the end, aim to be the same person as before it began. You do not know for sure when something is coming to you or… Continue reading Time to think…about maintaining balance
“Nothing is noble if it’s done unwillingly or under compulsion. Every noble deed is voluntary.” Seneca, Moral Letters. When your actions come directly from your heart, there’s a moment when you can feel vulnerable – exposed – as your true colours are on show. How will others judge you? Are you doing the right thing? If… Continue reading Time to think…about your noble acts
“Whenever you have trouble getting up in the morning, remind yourself that you’ve been made by nature for the purpose of working with others, whereas even unthinking animals share sleeping. And it’s our own natural purpose that is more fitting and more satisfying.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations. What is your purpose – in life, this year, this… Continue reading Time to think…about getting up in the morning
“As Plato said, every soul is deprived of truth against its will. The same holds true for justice, self-control, goodwill to others, and every similar virtue. It’s essential to constantly keep this in your mind, for it will make you more gentle to all.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations. It’s easy to focus on what we didn’t mean… Continue reading Time to think…about acting with your will
“My reasoned choice is as indifferent to the reasoned choice of my neighbour, as to his breath and body. However much we’ve been made for co-operation, the ruling reason in each of us is master of its own affairs. If this weren’t the case, the evil in someone else could become my harm, and God… Continue reading Time to think…about reasoned choice
“To what service is my soul committed? Constantly ask yourself this and thoroughly examine yourself by seeing how you relate to that part called the ruling principle. Whose soul do I have now? Do I have that of a child, a youth…a tyrant, a pet, or a wild animal?” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations. We can all be… Continue reading Time to think…about your aim in life
“When you’ve done well and another has benefitted by it, why like a fool do you look for a third thing on top – credit for the good deed or a favour in return?” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations. If no-one acknowledges or thanks you for your efforts, does that mean your efforts have been in vain? Is… Continue reading Time to think…about not looking for praise or favour
“When forced, as it seems, by circumstances into utter confusion, get a hold of yourself quickly. Don’t be locked out of the rhythm any longer than necessary. You’ll be able to keep the beat if you are constantly returning to it.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations. For those receiving exam results that are not what they were hoping… Continue reading Time to think…about dealing with setbacks
“One person, on doing well by others, immediately accounts the expected favour in return. Another is not so quick, but still considers the person a debtor and knows the favour. A third kind of person acts as if not conscious of the deed, rather like a vine producing a cluster of grapes without making further… Continue reading Time to think…about doing the right thing no matter what
“But what does Socrates say? ‘Just as one person delights in improving his farm, and another his horse, so I delight in attending to my own improvement day by day.’” Epictetus, Discourses. What are your own needs? How regularly are you attending to them? Everything you do – all the outcomes you wish to see come… Continue reading Time to think…about investing in yourself
“Love the humble art you have learned, and take rest in it. Pass through the remainder of your days as one who whole-heartedly entrusts all possessions to the gods, making yourself neither a tyrant nor a slave to any person.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations. Blessed are you if you can find good and purpose in what you… Continue reading Time to think…about loving your work
“Enough of this miserable, whining life. Stop monkeying around! Why are you troubled? What’s new here? What’s so confounding? The one responsible? Take a good look. Or just the matter itself? Then look at that. There’s nothing else to look at. And as far as the gods go, by now you could try being more… Continue reading Time to think…about moaning about life
“This is what you should teach me, how to be like Odysseus – how to love my country, wife and father, and how, even after suffering shipwreck, I might keep sailing on course to those honourable ends.” Seneca, Moral Letters. Steer your course by your values. Recognise the temptation of seeking instant pleasure at the expense… Continue reading Time to think…about staying the course
“On those mornings you struggle with getting up, keep this thought in mind – I am awakening to the work of a human being. Why then am I annoyed that I am going to do what I am made for, the very things for which I was put into this world? Or was I made… Continue reading Time to think…about the potential you have right now
“Good people will do what they find honourable to do, even if it requires hard work; they’ll do it even if it causes them injury; they’ll do it even if it will bring danger. Again, they won’t do what they find base, even if it brings them wealth, pleasure or power. Nothing will deter them… Continue reading Time to think…about doing the right thing
“Protect your own good in all that you do, and, as concerns everything else, take what is given as far as you are able to make reasoned use of it. If you don’t, you’ll be unlucky, prone to failure, hindered and stymied.” Epictetus, Discourses. Know what is right and true for you, and make sure you… Continue reading Time to think…about protecting the good
The task of the philosopher: we should bring our will into harmony with whatever happens, so that nothing happens against our will and nothing that we wish for fails to happen.” Epictetus, Discourses. When something happens that is not in your control, no amount of emotionality – wailing and gnashing of teeth – is going to… Continue reading Time to think…about choosing how to experience life
