8 life lessons from Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

1. “You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”

You can let the media warp your world view and tell you what to think.

Or you can take control of your own mind.

Find what you truly value. And stand by it firmly.

2. “Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.”

Finding real truth requires examination.

In today's day and age especially, don't let one person's opinion change your whole outlook.

You can't be so fickle.

3. “If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.”

How we react to a tough situation is the ultimate statement of our character.

4. “The soul becomes dyed with the colour of its thoughts.”

Our thoughts determine the world around us.

Eventually, we become our thoughts.

Work on taking control of yourself with self-reflection and meditation.

5. “The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.”

The mob is:

-Loud
-Powerful
-Dead wrong

If you're treading the right path, you're going to be in the minority.

6. “It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.”

Most people live mindlessly and just go through the motions.

This is like death before you actually die.

Practice mindfulness and gratitude.

7. “How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it.”

Anger has destroyed families and nations. Stop getting angry at every little slight.

You will always regret an outburst of anger after it's happened.

8. “Do every act of your life as though it were the very last act of your life.”

Be present in every moment. Because it might be your last.

If you're spending time with your loved ones, put the phone away and really spend time with them.