In our hurried daily lives, it's all too easy to take things at face value. This reminder from Marcus Aurelius urges us to slow down and look deeper.

Whether it's a challenging task at work, a disagreement with a friend, or a news headline that stirs up emotions—take a moment to delve beyond the initial impression. What's the real story behind your colleague's terse email? Could it be stress rather than animosity?

By seeking the true nature of things, we find understanding and worth that often go unnoticed. Marcus is essentially asking us to cultivate a habit of mindfulness and thoroughness.

When you're handed a new project, do you assess its potential or just see the workload? When someone offers an opinion, do you consider their perspective or dismiss it based on your biases?

Life is enriched when we see the intrinsic qualities in our experiences and the people we encounter. Perhaps in practicing this, we might uncover value in the mundane and empathy for others.

What might you be missing by only skimming the surface?