Only What You Do

When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: The people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous and surly… none of them can hurt me. No one can implicate me in ugliness. Nor can I feel angry at my relative, or hate him… To obstruct each other is unnatural. ~Meditations 2:1

The people you deal with today are flawed and will often show the worst side of themselves. That is a fact. But that's about them, and it is out of your control.

Meddling. Ungrateful. Arrogant. Dishonest. Jealous. Surly.

Marcus Aurelius reminds us in Meditations that none of these people can hurt you, and they can't involve you or drag you down with them unless you let them.

More importantly, you should recognize that the nature of the other people you encounter today is just like yours.

…what is human deserves our affection because it is like us. ~Meditations 2:13

That barista who never smiles, the neighbor who never says hello except to complain, the co-worker whose glass is always half empty, the boss who doesn't share the credit, the customer who doesn't tip or even say thank you, and the driver who cuts you off on the freeway.

Is there someone that comes to mind that you are hoping to avoid today because they frustrate you or rub you the wrong way?

You may not understand why they act that way. You might disagree with them and imagine they are miserable.

But you should consider this: You are like them and share the same nature. You are both human.

…to care for all human beings is part of being human. Which doesn’t mean we have to share their opinions. ~ Meditations 3:4

Choose Your Response

Knowing that people will be less than their best selves today, shouldn't you prepare to bring your best to the party? After all, this is something you can control.

It's tempting to want to return "like for like" when encountering the meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous, and surly person you will undoubtedly come across today. But if you want the good life, if you want peace, if you want kindness, if you want to do what's right, you don't have that option.

The tranquility that comes when you stop caring what they say. Or think or do. Only what you do. ~Meditations 4:18

There's peace waiting for you when you "care less" what others say, think, or do.

You're content when you decide how to respond to others you encounter today. You never know the power you possess to lift others by saying hello, smiling, pointing out the positive, making sure you share the credit, saying thank you, telling someone you appreciate them, and letting others go first.

It's nothing special. But on the other hand, maybe it is.

It's part of being human.

The Good Life Journal is a weekly newsletter curated from my journal, readings, and writings.

This process has formed and shaped my vision for who I want to be, the path I want to follow, and the philosophy that will guide me through each moment.

I'm glad to share the Good Life with you. If you feel it's beneficial, please share it with others.

~ Steve