Nothing Is Unique
“Everything is banal in experience, fleeting in duration, sordid in content. In all respects the same today as generations now dead and buried have found it to be.”
—Marcus Aurelius
Meditations
No matter what we're going through, it's nothing new under the sun. What you're experiencing—whether it's waiting in line, stressing over a deadline, or dealing with family drama—others have felt before. It's mundane, temporary, and often unsatisfactory. That's the nature of most daily experiences.
So ask yourself, why allow these passing moments to disturb your peace? If our ancestors dealt with similar situations and are now at rest, why should we let the trivial upsets of today unsettle our souls?
Take this perspective with you as you navigate through your day. When traffic is a slog, when a friend cancels plans last minute, or when you spill coffee on your new shirt, remember Marcus's words. These frustrations are fleeting and commonplace. How can you regard them with a sense of calm indifference?
By doing this, you allow yourself to focus on what truly matters—your response, your character, and your peace of mind.
Let the rest come and go, just as it has for countless generations before you.