Many times when we are making progress with Stoicism we may feel like we are drifting. Something happens. We get angry and explode. We engage in gossip behind someone’s back because it feels so tempting.

We are on the road to becoming a person of integrity but something happens. We face a situation where we feel there is a setback to our progress. As Marcus Aurelius writes give yourself some space. Maybe the key to struggling is to understand what is it that struggles you.

Without understanding what may be affecting us we become complacent. As Marcus Aurelius further writes we are dead to life and have no aim. Knowing the cause of our struggles may help us with our reason mind wandering.

We are our own worst enemy. We are our own biggest critic and our own biggest challenge. We also tend to blow things out of proportion than what something should be.

People also have the tendency to worry too much. They worry about things in the future. They worry about things they have no control over. They fear the unknown and dread uncertainty. We do not appreciate or take advantage of the present. Instead we waste the time we have.

And then there is trying to get satisfaction from externals. We seek gratification from other people even though it is not helpful. We may seek possessions to find happiness. All of this leads to nothing.

Take a moment to think about the present moment. What is going on right now. Do not think or worry about something happening later today tomorrow or next week. Do not regret something last week your forgot made a mistake on or whatever.

Think about right now in the present moment. Consider how you have the ability to think and what your next action will be. This is where true control lies with the present and what you do with it.

Think about what Marcus Aurelius writes  with Every hour of the day give vigorous attention to the task at hand. Think about what you are doing now with complete awareness.

Vacate your mind from all its other thoughts. Avoid distractions and temptations to what you need to do. Perform each action as if it was the last of your life. Make every action count and be of benefit.

Reading this passage of Meditations shows how much life is a gift. We need to understand our own part of the universe and if we are making the best of the life we have.

But many people may be just letting life go by and not living life to the fullest. It may be just they get comfortable and do not seek change. Others may want to change aspects of our lives but just keep putting this off. It may be a case of chronic procrastination.

Almost a quarter of the population is chronic procrastinators. It's a serious problem, and if you're one of those people then you have probably been wondering why the typical advice just doesn't work for you. Having someone tell you to get on with it is a lot like telling someone who is dealing with clinical depression that they just need to cheer up.

In this chapter Marcus Aurelius gets into how we are part of something greater. He writes Now every part of nature benefits from that which is brought by the nature of the whole and all that preserves that nature.

Think about when you wake up in the morning and see a beautiful sunrise. Or a beautiful evening when the stars are out. You think to yourself there are not too many days or nights like this. You show a sense of gratitude.

Understanding our own little place in the universe gives us the opportunity to live life to the fullest. But many people just have blinders on and are too caught up in themselves to appreciate the world as it is.

Some people believe that if they possessed more things or had better luck, they would be more grateful. However, the number of things that you accumulate will not affect your attitude. Gratitude is an attitude that can easily be cultivated, no matter your current situation.

It is interesting how Marcus Aurelius begins this part of Meditations. Flesh is nothing more than a mere fabric over bones. Breath is like the wind never constant and always changing.

The third part the directing mind is what motivates us and brings change to our lives. But it can be easy to be distracted or affected by impulse. Our desires can affect our progress.

No matter if you’re trying to become a person of moral integrity, sometimes you are going to face resistance especially from yourself. Sometimes you are going to come up against plateaus, walls, and challenges that seem unsurmountable.

Meditations 2,1 shows when things aren’t quite going the way that you’d hoped, it can be really difficult to meet the challenges of your day with a calm smile. For some this can be even more difficult if they know they are facing a difficult day ahead where we may have to interact with negative talk, attitudes and ideas.

But mornings do not have to fill the individual with dread. Remember you are an individual as part of a greater whole. Each person has their own problems and issues. And it does not affect us as long as we remember our faculty of choice and reasoning gives us freedom.

It may just mean a change of mindset.

Enchiridion 53 discusses  about when dealing with difficulties be ready with principles to face them. Recognize there are choices we may not want to make. There may be choices where both outcomes may be questionable.

It is important to remember even when we make a wrong choice or fail we can move on and continue to make progress. Know that everyone has the knowledge and skills to bring improvement. Consider as well there may be certain roles we have been meant to do.

We have the ability to make choices grounded by reason. Remember the quote credited with Nietzsche “That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.” Our reputation can be damage and maybe even our body by others. But our mind or will cannot be damaged unless we allow it to. We have reasoning and faculty of choice to guide us.

Still there are times when the choices we have to make may cause us to question if the results are favorable in life.

Enchiridion 52 gets into different aspects of Stoic philosophy. Part of it is making use of the teachings. For example do not lie about things because it does not help in the progress of the individual.

Another part of philosophy is showing and demonstrating your beliefs through your actions. There is an aspect of both these parts that combined shows that what is truly important is implementing Stoic philosophy in life. Logic is something with this that can be used.

Applying principles in Stoicism means meeting challenges and obstacles. Focus should be on if we are making progress with Stoic principles. Stoicism is about practice not theory. Choices and actions develop experiences that we can measure our progress with.

We should recognize conflict and adversity as opportunities where we find improvement.

Enchirision 51 discusses wasting time and not making progress or starting to make decisions for change. If you want to change for the better stop delaying, realize who you are and start to make progress.

Everyone is worthy to live their lives according to nature with the choices we can make. Our choices make us free. This is priceless for our lives. No value can be placed on it.

Rational thinking is where change begins. Stop waiting because you have the mind and resources to gain fulfillment in life. There is no excuse to start putting Stoic practices in place.

It is difficult to look inward and seek change. No progress is made if you lie to yourself. Be mature and take responsibility for your life. You must meet challenges in life.

It is easy to become complacent and fall into the wrong habits. Socrates used reasoning in life. We should do the same if we want to develop the right mindset. In many ways it is like a growth mindset.