“At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: “I have to go to work — as a human being. What do I have to complain of, if I’m going to do what I was born for — the things I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?” -Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
“It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through.” -Zig Ziglar
One of the many reasons I love Meditations is that it was never intended for publication. It’s a collection of Marcus Aurelius’ journal entries, his innermost thoughts, written to himself as he navigated the world. As you read it, you can almost feel him willing himself to act in the face of huge obstacles. The journal was later found, published and passed down for future generations. And we’re the lucky beneficiaries.
If Marcus, Emperor of Rome and most powerful person in the world had trouble getting out of bed, we should forgive ourselves when we don’t feel like doing it either. It’s our character, our commitments, our discipline, our habits, our desire to make art and make change in the world that gets us to overcome our laziness.
Rise and Shine. We’ve got work to do.
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