272010ZFEB26

The Command Element persistently reminds me how important meditating is for folks. I concur. In fact, I’ve been meditating with Marcus for a long time. His Meditations has been a favorite of mine since I started remembering things worth remembering. Heck, Gladiator landing at the top of my favorite movie list probably has something to do with Marcus being in it. I discovered Meditations my freshman year of college. At the time, I was a kid from a borderline-poor, single-parent household. Back then @rolex was just another thing people like me didn’t have, much less have access to one day. Now, I’ve always excelled in science and math, but it was actually philosophy that opened my eyes to what a life could be. And it was Meditations that lit the pilot light. Right then and there I stepped out of my 10x10 foot room to begin shaping a life I wanted – not the life I was given. The philosophical writings of Marcus Aurelius have been with me through a lot, e.g., deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq; losing friends and family; bringing a son into this world; failing at a first marriage; pursuing lifelong learning and enrichment; succeeding and being challenged professionally; and marrying again (for the second and final time) to the Command Element. There’s a lot there with plenty in the cracks I hold close to the heart. Every day of this journey I try to take-in what I should, fight off what I can, and make space for perspective and self-care along the way. These Meditations quotes are probably my favorite, and undoubtedly help to continue widening my aperture on the long walk we’re all doing TOGETHER. “Never regard something as doing you good if it makes you betray a trust, or lose your sense of shame, or makes you show hatred, suspicion, ill will, or hypocrisy, or a desire for things best done behind closed doors.” “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” SEND IT! ~ PRESENT & READY @erikasoriginals #rolex #watchesofespionage #watchesofinstagram #submariner

View on Instagram →