_{View from my bedroom window this morning. Can you see the doves in the frescos next to the windows?}

Today is my blog’s 22nd birthday. It’s changed quite a bit since its beginnings. Because I’ve changed too.

Muhammad Ali, boxer and philosopher, said: A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.

But a long life needs an adequate memory. Sometimes we seem to repeat the same mistakes over and over as if we don’t remember the past, as if we haven’t learned from our errors. Marcus Aurelius didn’t want to forget what he’d learned so he wrote it down.

Marcus Aurelius is often called the Philosopher Emperor because he was both philosopher and ruler. Late in his career as a successful emperor, he wanted to remember how he’d gotten there. So he began keeping notes. These notes are now known as Meditations. But, written in ancient Greek, the original title would roughly translate as To Myself as Marcus was writing only for himself and not for others.

Marcus begins his book by listing and describing the people who’d taught him something important. For example, from his grandfather he learned decency and mild temper, from his mom he learned the simplicity of living, from his tutor he learned to work with his hands and to mind his own business.

Recognizing the people who’ve taught us something is a form of gratitude. Wouldn’t it be lovely to write thank you notes to all those who’ve contributed to our own life by teaching us something from their own?

In Meditations, Marcus emphasizes the importance of reflecting on one’s own actions and finding one’s place in the universe.

Here are a few quotes:

Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.

Our life is what our thoughts make it.

Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself in your way of thinking.

You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.

When this blog begun, I had more of a Mary Poppins attitude towards life and walked around with spoons full of sugar. But not anymore. Because of the current state of affairs, I am now more like Boudicca and walk around with a club as I am not willing to be polite to raunchy souled thugs. Nevertheless, I don’t want to collect toxic energy either.

What I would like to do in this time of moral decadence is to find a way to affront, with dignity, this breakdown of democracy and human compassion without going too far from my core. So I’m rereading Marcus for suggestions.

I am grateful for this blog that has made my world so much bigger. I am grateful for the opportunity to express myself freely. And, above all, I am grateful for all the friends made thanks to this blog.

So happy birthday blog!

Related: Marcus Aurelius writes to himself + Marcus Aurelius at Campidiglio +