Category Archives: READING MATTER

I live in a “55 and older community” of homeowners. There are about 11,000 people living in this upper-middle class American “retirement resort”. The average age of the residents is about 72 years old. When I attend events and activities here I often think to myself, “Gosh, there sure a lot of old people here!” Then, I go home and look in the mirror….. It is then that I discover that I am one of the “old people”.

However, because I AM old, and because I am surrounded by other “old people”, I realize that “old people” do not think of themselves as “old”. In our minds, we see ourselves in our mind at a time when our bodies were physically fit, sexually attractive and productive! Nevertheless, even though I am only “18 years old in my mind”, the mirror reminds me that my body is more than 70 year old, and counting…..

These are the moments when I must remind myself that I am NOT the body I inhabit at this moment in the Eternal Now. I know — deep inside myself — have lived a thousand, thousand lives in bodies uncountable, on planets in galaxies unspeakable. When I remember “Who” I REALLY Am, the “man in the mirror” doesn’t seem quite as “real” as the people who live all around me seem to think. I know that I am an Immortal Spiritual Being. If your body is still young, sexually attractive and physically fit, you may want to start remembering that you are NOT the body. When your body gets “old” it will help you to remember that you are immortal, and eternally “18 in my mind”.

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MEDITATIONS OF MARCUS AURELIUS

June 30, 2026 LRS

Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Marcus Aurelius (Latin: Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus; 26 April 121 – 17 March 180 AD), called the Philosopher, was Roman emperor from 161 to 180. He was the last of the rulers traditionally known as the Five Good Emperors. He is also seen as the last emperor of the Pax Romana, an age of relative peace and stability for the Empire. Marcus’ personal philosophical writings, often called Meditations, are a significant source of the modern understanding of ancient Stoic philosophy.

Here are a few quotations from Meditations —

“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.”

“The opinion of 10,000 men is of no value if none of them know anything about the subject.” ~ Marcus Aurelius

“You always own the option of having no opinion. There is never any need to get worked up or to trouble your soul about things you can’t control. These things are not asking to be judged by you. Leave them alone.” ~ Marcus Aurelius

“Do not be wise in words – be wise in deeds.” ~ Marcus Aurelius

“The things you think about determine the quality of your mind. Your soul takes on the color of your thoughts.” ~ Marcus Aurelius

“What we do in life ripples in eternity.” ~ Marcus Aurelius

“A person’s life is dyed with the color of his imagination.” ~ Marcus Aurelius

“Whoever values peace of mind and the health of the soul will live the best of all possible lives.” ~ Marcus Aurelius

“Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul.” ~ Marcus Aurelius

“Never forget that the universe is a single living organism possessed of one substance and one soul, holding all things suspended in a single consciousness and creating all things with a single purpose that they might work together spinning and weaving and knotting whatever comes to pass.” ~ Marcus Aurelius

Listen to a FREE AUDIOBOOK edition of “Meditations” https://librivox.org/the-meditations-of-marcus-aurelius/

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June 30, 2026 LRS

Republished by Blog Post Promoter