Marcus Aurelius Meditations
Marcus Aurelius: Use thyself therefore often to meditate…
Use thyself therefore often to meditate upon this, that the nature of the universe delights in nothing more, than in altering those things that are, and in making others like unto them. So that we may say, that whatsoever is, is but as it were the seed of that which shall be.
The passage follows a public-domain translation of Meditations. The reading beside it is ours.
Change is not a disruption to life; it is one of life’s main activities. Every present condition is a seed that will become something else. A new role changes you, a loss changes you, a routine changes you, and even your attempts to stay the same are part of a changing world. This can make us anxious when we cling to a fixed picture of how things should be. Marcus invites us to see transformation as natural material rather than proof of failure. You cannot keep every season, identity, or relationship unchanged. You can participate well in what comes next. Today, when you notice a transition you are resisting, ask what it is making room for. Then choose one action that helps the next version of your life grow responsibly.
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