"Die with memories, not dreams" "All the things you want in life are on the other side of pain, discomfort and difficulty” "Fear is temporary, regret is forever" "worrying about losing is losing before you begin"

Hey so I started reading meditations and I liked the idea of just writing down my thoughts about whatever so please, my friend and wise mentor, let me hear your thoughts on "Meditations: my version": Some actions and aspects of reality are not allowed or restricted by first yourself, then society, then by law, and last by the order of the universe. Always find the most binding and restrictive entities - whether it be health (disease/injury), authority (parents/government), or any other incarnation of bondage; Physical, Mental, or Authoritative. Most other examples will boil down into one of those three categories, for instance; financial struggle stems from a problem with authority. Why must our lives be spent devoted to financial gain? Why must our worth in society be based on our career, when most people are not even happy with their lives due to their career? It can then be said that, in this society (where everyone is already being judged all of the time by others because most people are insecure, mistrustful, selfish, and jealous), people are constantly being judged and have equated their self-worth with a job. Now this is a problem from many angles. He does not want a job, but he must provide, so he suffers willingly. While suffering willingly, he is being judged both during his work and off the clock (through the brands he wears, the quality of his accessories, the activities in his posts on social media). Judged not by the content of his spirit but by the amount in his pockets. Judged for doing the very things he despises- making someone else rich. Dedicating his whole life for doing something he despises, yet yields no pity, only shame and self-loathing. “Why did I not pay better attention in school?”, one may say. “Why did I not pick a different major?”, or more likely “Why did I even start college?”. A garbage man does not like dealing with garbage, but he must support himself, and his family. He is disrespected by his friends, family, and community. He feels ashamed, but has no choice, as humans must consume food and water (and the right balance AND quality AND consistency), own land to live on, and gain education about the world (learning about this experience of life, what to expect, and how best to prepare).

i've woken up. the light in the room is shining down my house. i took my eye mask and saw that it wasnt the light from the bulb that was shining down my face it was the hole made when they destroyed the wall in house whilst construction. i look at it not with anger and sadness but with joy and happiness. i saw the light and smiled so big it reaches my ear. i smiled that i saw the sun and it shines down my eyes. it gave me hope. "better days are coming" my father was talking about how hard our situation is and i reply with. "diamonds are made in pressure father" it ended the conversation with hope and motivation. i even was making jokes when i went up the second floor and saw the wall destroyed and told my father. we now have another window. we laugh so hard about it.

This is one of my favorite Marcus Aurelius quotes as it reminds us that whatever situation that we find ourselves in, it's a perfect chance to practice our philosophy. The question is, what area of your life do you find yourself in that's a good opportunity to practice your philosophy? For me, it's been the practice of working consistently and not getting distracted. When I get bored and distract myself from what I am meant to do, it's a good opportunity to focus on the present and do what needs to be done.