Welcome to Navigate the Day, where we explore ways to cultivate a purposeful and fulfilling life. In today’s episode, we explore the marks of a rational person, as described by Marcus Aurelius in his book Meditations. According to him, a rational soul embodies three key characteristics: self-awareness, self-examination, and self-determination. By practicing these traits, we can achieve a fulfilling and purposeful life, and reap the rewards of our own efforts and actions.
The journal prompt for today is, "Am I self-aware, self-critical, and self-determining?" The concept of purpose can be daunting, but it is something that we must actively decide for ourselves. Self-awareness is the first step towards becoming rational, as it involves recognizing and understanding one's own thoughts and emotions. Self-examination means regularly reflecting on our own actions and beliefs, and considering how they align with our values and goals. Self-determination means having control over our own choices and actions, and being able to direct our life in a purposeful way.
The speaker shares their own struggles with self-awareness, especially when it comes to understanding their thoughts and emotions. Practicing self-examination can also be overwhelming, as it reveals how much needs to change to align our actions with our goals. However, it is important to remember that purpose comes from practice. By creating a plan without limitations and taking pride in learning and becoming better, we can cultivate purpose in our lives.
The weakest point for the speaker is self-determination, as they struggle to believe that they have the power of choice. However, they recognize that this is something they need to work on to become a more rational person. Despite setbacks, the speaker chooses to continue with this project, as it helps them better understand themselves and others.
In conclusion, by practicing self-awareness, self-examination, and self-determination, we can cultivate purpose and lead a fulfilling life. So take a moment to reflect on the journal prompt and start your journey towards becoming a more rational person.
Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!
Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic Books
Please if you enjoy this content checkout Ryan's work
