The Power of Adversity

Marcus Aurelius' meditations can be viewed as a series of practical psychological tricks to make life smoother. Such mental habits allow you to smile and remain happy even when things that would otherwise upset you have occurred. Marcus Aurelius reiterates that since these events are in God or Fates hands, you should not hope and pray for them not to occur. But rather hope and pray that you have the strength of character to endure them when they do. There's an ironic beauty in life that it's these hardships that give us the opportunity to test ourselves and grow stronger.