Marcus Aurelius’ Thoughts on How to Force Himself to Get Out of Bed
We all have morning hours when we want nothing more than to stay in our beds, warm and comfortable, all day. If you have such a morning, the Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius invites you to look at your true nature as a person.
We are animals, living creatures that are part of nature, no matter how smart and powerful we think we are. And, like all living things, it is in our nature to go and do something . In Meditations, Aurelius writes:
At dawn, when you find it difficult to get out of bed, tell yourself: “I have to go to work – as a person. What should I complain about if I’m going to do what I was born for – what I was brought into this world for? Or is this what I was made for? Get under the covers and keep warm? “
So you were born to feel “good”? Instead of doing something and experiencing it? Can’t you see how plants, birds, ants, spiders and bees fulfill their individual tasks, bringing order to the world as much as possible? And you don’t want to do your job as a person? Why don’t you run to do what your nature requires?
You don’t love yourself enough. Or you would also love your nature and what it requires of you.
You may not know your purpose in life or even believe it, but it’s hard to argue that lounging in bed is the best way to spend a short time here. Aurelius believed that people should spend their lives improving the world, but at least you can do something to become better. So take a deep breath, jump out of bed and start your day. Surrender to your nature and do it.
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