Marcus Aurelius and the phoenix

See what’s left as a bonus

Thank you for your support. It’s been great seeing the engagement with the letters since we moved to Substack and the rise of subscribers, paid and free.

Today, I’m sending a remix of one of more popular past letters.

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The mythical phoenix dies at the end of every day.

It emerges from the ashes in the morning and returns to dust in the evening.

Every day it sees the world anew.

Marcus Aurelius once wrote:

Think of the life you have lived until now as over and, as a dead man, see what’s left as a bonus and live it according to Nature. Love the hand that fate deals you and play it as your own, for what could be more fitting?

Meditations 7.57

Divide your life into two. There’s the past and then now.

Like the phoenix, you can see the world as if for the first time. If you do this correctly, you will learn something because reality has an incredible level of detail. There is something you must be missing.

You do not need to be tied down by your past opinions.

Imagine starting again now. Live without fear and treat every situation as a gift.

This isn’t just a silly ritual. Our past no longer exists. It is in ashes. What is here is what is aflame now.

So, when Marcus Aurelius wrote this note to himself he reminded himself that though he can be “reborn” he cannot take life for granted. Soon, we will no longer have the opportunity to transform ourselves.

So why not take it now? What is holding you back?

Rise now. You have a limited time to focus on what matters. Experience the gifts of life and be excellent.