There’s a short, yet powerful, section in Marcus Aurelius’s book, Meditations, that he simply called “How to act”:

Never under compulsion, out of selfishness, without forethought, with misgivings.

Don’t gussy up your thoughts.

No surplus words or unnecessary actions.

Let the spirit in you represent a man, an adult, a citizen, a Roman, a ruler. Taking up his post like a soldier and patiently awaiting his recall from life. Needing no oath or witness.

Cheerfulness. Without requiring other people’s help. Or serenity supplied by others.

To stand up straight—not straightened.

In case you aren’t familiar, this comes from the 2nd Century journal in which Marcus Aurelius, at the time the Emperor of Rome and arguably the most powerful person in the world, took notes about his days and reflecting on how he thought he should live his life.

There are deep nuggets throughout this passage, but I particularly like his remarks near the end:

Cheerfulness. Without requiring other people’s help. Or serenity supplied by others.

He highlights the importance of controlling our own attitude. That we should be cheerful without relying on others to provide this cheer, but rather by choosing within ourselves to provide the spark.

Just like peace and serenity doesn’t need to come from others. It can come from within.

I also appreciate the simplicity of his call to duty:

Let the spirit in you represent a man, an adult, a citizen, a Roman, a ruler. Taking up his post like a soldier and patiently awaiting his recall from life. Needing no oath or witness.

Basically, we have a job to do. Not just in the sense of an occupation (for him as the “ruler”) but as a human being. No matter the distractions that might come up or how we’re feeling on a given day, it’s on us to perform everyday 0 whatever that might mean.

Not because we need approval from others or because we’re living under the illusion that this life will last forever. But because living an honorable life is enough.

-Brandon