Marcus Aurelius Meditations
Marcus Aurelius: The Second to the first original cause,…
The Second to the first original cause, God, from whom originally proceeds whatsoever doth happen in the world. The third and last, to them that we live and converse with: what use may be made of it, to their use and benefit.
The passage follows a public-domain translation of Meditations. The reading beside it is ours.
When something happens, Marcus wants us to look in three directions. First, recognize that the event belongs to a world larger than your preferences. Second, accept that it has arrived and is now material to work with. Third, ask what use you can make of it for the people around you. That last question is especially powerful. A delayed flight can become a chance to practice patience rather than spread irritation. A mistake at work can become a clearer process for your team. A personal disappointment can make you more understanding of someone else’s. We may never get a satisfying explanation for every event. We do not need one in order to respond well. Today, when plans change, skip the demand that life justify itself. Ask instead: how can I make this situation useful?
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