I’ve been working hard to free up some mental space, and I didn’t realize just how mentally, emotionally, and physically tired I was. It’s strange, but we’re like sticky tumbleweeds rolling along, picking up everything we touch. We carry that stuff with us all day, every day. Eventually, we get so bogged down with worry, guilt, or whatever it might be, that we face a decision: either keep rolling along, picking up garbage and complaining about it, or go on a mental and emotional diet.
In Meditations, Marcus Aurelius wrote, “You can get rid of many superfluous troubles that depend entirely on your beliefs, and you’ll immediately provide yourself with plenty of mental space.” Ah, there it is—mental space. Who’s up for a little more of that? I know I am. But to get it, we have to analyze our beliefs. What Marcus is suggesting is that all the grief, pressure, and stress we feel are tied to our beliefs about how life should be. By examining our beliefs about work, family, religion, and all the other weighty stuff, we might find some that aren’t serving us well.
Until tomorrow, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.
-Eddy
Published by