Stoicism teaches that we should live a life as a person of character through the choices that we make. Our mind is the most valuable thing we have to carry this through.

But what happens when the mind starts to become less able to make reasoned choices? As Marcus Aurelius writes that if we live longer there is no guarantee that our mind will likewise retain that power to comprehend and study the world.

This is an issues faced by many nations with an increasing elderly population. As people live longer conditions like dementia are also increasing.

Marcus Aurelius further writes that we must have a sense of urgency before our ability to pay proper attention fades before we do. Things like stress in our lives can harm conditions of the mind especially as we get older.  When we have our mind that is functional there are steps that can be taken to improve our condition as we get older.

There are two powerful aspects of this chapter. The first is understanding the importance of the present moment. He writes in mans time his life is a mere instant. Everything passes by and if we do not use our time to the best we can it will just fade away.

The second part shows there is one thing that can guide us through this. It is philosophy. Marcus Aurelius writes What then can escort us on our way? One thing and one thing only philosophy. Philosophy acts as a guide in life.

How does this happen? Philosophy provides us with wisdom and the ability to make the right decisions through reasoned choices.

There are different definitions of wisdom but for our purposes it  means that you can follow your own capabilities, judgment, or resources in order to be independent. To do that you’ll need to learn to accept responsibility for everything you do without depending on what someone else says, does or thinks.

As you read this passage you get what amazing insight Marcus Aurelius has. Here he points out five different things that harm the soul or the directing mind. They are also incremental in the way a person acts or behaves.

First when it becomes a separate growth meaning something causes the individual to become distant or possibly resentful. Second when they turn away from another human being. Third when they give in to some sort of pleasure or pain. Fourth doing or saying anything feigned or false.  Fifth whenever it fails to direct any of its actions or impulses to a goal.

This can be seen with people facing chemical dependency. First something triggers them to start using, Second they turn away from family or friends. Third they start to give in to the addiction. Fourth they lie about their addiction and take actions like stealing money from family or employers. And fifth they are controlled by their addiction with no apparent purpose.

But where does this start? What leads to the first thing? How often do you think, “I wish I could change this about myself,” or “Why can’t I be better at that?” Instead of looking for ways to improve your appearance or personality, better your skills, or perfect yourself, it may be time to ponder how much you actually like yourself.

This chapter of the Meditations is such a powerful message of living life to the fullest. Think of some of the things Marcus Aurelius writes here. The present moment is equal for all. We all have the chance to make reasoned choices in life.

No one can lose the past or future. All we have control over in the present. What has happened in the past and what will come in the future is beyond our ability to influence.

Finally both the longest to live and the earliest to die suffer the same loss. We will all face death at some point. It is only the present moment of which either stands to be deprived. We have the opportunity to live in the present or let opportunities slip by. It all boils down to living your best life possible.

Everyone in life shares a similar goal – to find happiness, love, and light in our lives. Sadly, that isn't the case for many people. When you're old and gray you'll want to look back on the life you've lived and see one that was full of adventure, laughter, and happiness. It's not an unusual hope to hold, most people have that hope. Yet, the most difficult part of living life to the pull is reaching a point where you can do what you want.

Marcus Aurelius starts off this chapter ‘always out and about running around in circles” and :looking for signs in his neighbors minds” He writes further “looking for signs in his neighbors minds.”

Many people seem to live a life without purpose. They seem to be just going through the motions running around in circles. People may also seek answers through others.

The truth is our purpose rests within us. Marcus Aurelius  further writes concentrate soley on the divinity himself and to give it true service. The divinity within everyone is the ruling faculty. However to avoid running around in circles it takes focus.

Focus impacts just about every area of your life, from your relationships, to your work, and even your health.

When you read Meditations you have to understand that this was Marcus Aurelius’ personal journal. He was using this for himself to reflect on events in his life.

This chapter like many chapters have a sense of introspection. Look at the first statement “how all things vanish”. But still it is a gift, a gift for all of us to use in trying to practice Stoicism.

This chapter seems to have this kind of what does it all mean feel. But it also has the understanding that we have something that makes us special, the reasoning mind.

He writes “applying the analytical power of his mind to  divest death of its associated images.” In other words to remove images that we have of death. This requires something more than analysis. It requires critical thinking.

This passage in the Meditations starts off by saying death should not be feared. He states departure from the world is nothing to be feared if gods exist because they would not involve you in any harm.

Marcus Aurelius writes further that gods do exist and they do care for mankind. He writes that harn will not befall someone because the gods have provided for this. It must be understood the mindset of religion in the ancient world. There was a lack of understanding of many aspects of the physical world.

The ancients would manifest characteristics of the world with gods. Lightening would be Zeus throwing a thunderbolt. The sun would be Apollo riding his chariot across the sky. The ancients would put their trust in these aspects.

But what happens as time goes on and beliefs change? Science proves aspects of the physical world that were once the threshold of divinity. Individuals have to rely on their own existence to explain their world.

The practice of Stoicism is not easy. To implement it in life requires discipline. It requires staying away from the things that can tempt us and impair our progress to being someone of character and integrity.

There is one thing that helps us to understand what we need to avoid. It is our mind and the ruling faculty. Through it we have the ability to make choices. We can make decisions that guide our thoughts and actions.

The fact is that every day, we are faced with hundreds of decisions to make. These decisions can sometimes alter the course of our lives and relationships forever, even if they seem like they are inconsequential at the time.

So how can we guarantee that our decisions are going to be made wisely?

The answer is introspection.

The ancient Stoics believed in a concept of cosmopolitanism. As Massimo Pigliucci phrases it in his book How To Be A Stoic it is appropriation of other people’s concerns as if they were our own.

Our success and progress in life has a sort of interdependence on others. Marcus Aurelius writes  “what kind of part it is of what kind of whole”. We are part of something, call it a community the world or just people around you in the present. Each thing in the universe has its own composition .

But he further writes “there is no one that can prevent you keeping all that you say and do in accordance with that nature. ” Nature refers to the qualities we have with the reasoning mind to be a person of moral integrity. What does it take to become an accomplished individual in regard to this?

We are willing to accept others for who they are. When things go wrong for others we react with sympathy and empathy. But why is it difficult to accept ourselves.

Self-acceptance is an important part of life and maturing. It’s hard to get very far in life without accepting yourself for who you are. It’s so easy to excuse bad behaviors and weaknesses, talking up your strengths to try to hide the weaknesses.

In order to grow and mature, you need to accept your strengths and weaknesses; after all, how can you expect to work on and strengthen your weaknesses if you don’t know what they are or deny their existence