Marcus Aurelius had a version of this exercise where he'd describe glamorous or expensive things without their euphemisms-roasted meat is a dead animal and vintage wine is old, fermented grapes. The aim was to see these things as they really are, without any of the ornamentation. We can do this for anyone or to anything that stands in our way. That promotion that means so much, what is it really? Our critics and naysayers who make us feel small, let's put them in their proper place. It's so much better to see things as they truly, actually
Marcus Aurelius practiced an insightful exercise in which he stripped away the luxurious language surrounding various items, revealing their true essence. For instance, he would describe roasted meat as merely a dead animal and vintage wine as simply old, fermented grapes. This approach encourages a more realistic perception of our desires and obstacles, allowing us to confront the truth of situations without romanticized views.
In this context, we can apply the same mindset to our pursuits and challenges. Instead of idealizing a promotion, we should recognize it as just a job title that brings certain responsibilities. Similarly, we can reframe how we view our critics, acknowledging their opinions without letting them define us. This clear-sightedness helps us navigate life's difficulties with a grounded perspective, transforming adversities into opportunities for growth.
