Marcus Aurelius: Remember, that as it is a shame for any…

A fig tree produces figs. A storm produces rain. Human beings, being human, will sometimes be selfish, confused, afraid, and difficult. Marcus’s point is not that bad behavior is acceptable. It is that surprise is often the first source of our misery. We expect perfect reliability from imperfect people, then treat ordinary human weakness as an outrage. Lowering this unrealistic expectation does not mean lowering your standards. You can still ask for accountability, choose better company, and protect yourself from harm. But you can stop wasting energy on disbelief. Of course the meeting includes ego. Of course the internet contains cruelty. Of course people make mistakes under pressure. Reality becomes easier to meet when we stop requiring it to be unlike itself. Today, identify one recurring frustration and ask whether you are shocked by something that is, sadly, predictable. Prepare wisely instead of being repeatedly offended.