Book 140 - A Year of Magical Learning

Reflection Title: Keep a Journal!

Book – Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

Book Description: Meditations is a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor 161–180 CE, setting forth his ideas on Stoic philosophy. Marcus Aurelius wrote the 12 books of the Meditations in Koine Greek as a source for his own guidance and self-improvement. It is not clear that he ever intended the writings to be published, so the title Meditations is but one of several commonly assigned to the collection. These writings take the form of quotations varying in length from one sentence to long paragraphs.

Reflection:

Meditations is a book of personal journal writings written by the Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius about his thoughts on how to live a virtuous life. If I had to guess, he never thought that anyone would ever read, or care to read, what he wrote in his journal.

Even if he didn't intend it, his words have given guidance and wisdom to millions for generations because he had the courage to write them down and work through them.

That’s the thing about journals, you don’t write for others to see…you write for yourself.

You write to process your feelings and emotions. You write to focus your attention on one thought for a continuous block of time and find that “flow” state that can feel so rejuvenating. You write to get that idea out of your head and give it life into this world so it can grow and flourish. You write so you can pass on what you’ve learned to your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren so they can understand and remember that you are always there with them even if you can’t physically be there anymore. You write to connect with generations that have come before and generations that are yet to be born. Finally, you write to formulate and cement your values, purpose, and life you strive to live in this world.

I don’t know where I would be without my journal at this point in my life.

For 34 years of my life, what I’ve experienced and learned is lost to me and this world. Sure, I vaguely remember some big life moments like my wedding, graduation from college, some big trips to exotic places, and when I first met my wife.

What I don’t remember…is everything else.

I don’t remember most of what I did or why I did it. I don’t remember all the brilliant ideas that have come and gone. I don’t remember all the times I was so frustrated and “just couldn’t” anymore. I don’t remember moments of my greatest pains. I don’t remember moments of my greatest triumphs. I don’t remember some of the great people and lessons I’ve learned from them along this journey. I don’t remember the books I’ve read, classes I’ve taken, and most the things I’ve learned. Most importantly, I don’t remember my values and how they came to be.

For 34 years of my life, I feel like I was living my life blind. I woke up every day with a vague idea of what I wanted to do and why until something else distracted me and I got swept up by this world. Each day I was starting almost a new as I had no compass to seemingly guide my journey.

That all changed the day I met my daughter and for some reason felt compelled to document her life and how she showed me to live a life of values and purpose. March 15th, 2020 was the day my daughter was born and the day my journal began.

As of today, it has been 681 straight days of me sitting down to share my thoughts with my daughter each and every day since she has passed away. By writing and keeping a journal, I’ve slowly been able to better understand this world, myself, what I value most, and how to live a life of Purpose to honor my daughter. I’m nowhere near done yet and I hope that number is in the 10’s of thousands by the time I leave this world as we still have A LOT to talk about.

That’s the power of a journal! It can change your life as you slowly start to discover what you care about in this world and then refine what you learn over time. It may not be for others to see while it is a work in progress, but it is a sight to behold when your time is complete.

Question: What’s stopping you from documenting your own journey starting today?

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Links:

What is The Year of Magical Learning? An Introduction

YOML Podcast Discussion - Coming Soon

YOML Bookstore - Meditations by Marcus Aurelius