Purpose should be the center of our presence
According to Marcus Aurelius, each of us has a purpose, something we were created for, and we must ensure we fulfill it.
The Stoics believe that every one of us is part of a common whole and that every aspect of life is interconnected to fulfill a particular duty. They think everything on Earth, whether humans, animals, or non-living things has its natural purpose or place. In this light, Marcus Aurelius reflects on our principal duty on Earth to seek virtuousness. Virtue is the highest purpose humans can commit to.
⚡️Living a virtuous life means living in honesty, discipline, and courage.
Marcus Aurelius reminds us to get up every morning and do good work. Approach each day with a spirit of gratitude, and do our best to contribute to society, paying no attention to the reproach of others. And as we do good, we shouldn’t expect anything in return for our good deeds. Instead, we should be content knowing that we are part of a whole, fulfilling a great purpose in the grand scheme of things. After all, virtue is its own reward.
Moreover, we all have particular strengths. There are some things that we do better than anybody else. Find out what you are naturally good at and enjoy doing, and use it in service of others. Adding value to other people’s lives and pursuing your talents and natural skills will make you more productive, fulfilled, and happier.
Aurelius also reminds us to focus on the present moment and live in the now. It’s easy to start thinking of everything we’ve done wrong in the past or let our imagination run wild, envisioning all the ways things can go wrong in the future.
The past is gone, and the future is not here yet — these are totally out of our control and there is no point in dwelling on them. It is this present moment that is in our circle of control. And for our own good, we should spend each moment of our lives doing the things that matter.