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July 17th

DON’T ABANDON OTHERS... OR YOURSELF

“As you move forward along the path of reason, people will stand

in your way. They will never be able to keep you from doing

what’s sound, so don’t let them knock out your goodwill for them.

Keep a steady watch on both fronts, not only for well-based

judgments and actions, but also for gentleness with those who

would obstruct our path or create other difficulties. For getting

angry is also a weakness, just as much as abandoning the task or

surrendering under panic. For doing either is an equal desertion—

the one by shrinking back and the other by estrangement from

family and friend.”

—MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 11.9

s we begin to make progress in our lives, we’ll encounter the
limitations of the people around us. It’s like a diet. When everyone is
eating unhealthy, there is a kind of natural alignment. But if one person
starts eating healthy, suddenly there are opposing agendas. Now there’s an
argument about where to go for dinner.
Just as you must not abandon your new path simply because other
people may have a problem with it, you must not abandon those other folks
either. Don’t simply write them off or leave them in the dust. Don’t get mad
or fight with them. After all, they’re at the same place you were not long
ago.