Remember that today when you try to extend your reach outward—that it’s much better and more appropriately directed inward.

Acceptance isn’t passive.

DON’T BE MISERABLE IN ADVANCE

“Then what makes a beautiful human being? Isn’t it the presence of human excellence? Young friend, if you wish to be beautiful, then work diligently at human excellence. And what is that? Observe those whom you praise without prejudice. The just or the unjust? The just. The even-tempered or the undisciplined? The even-tempered. The self-controlled

“Above all, keep a close watch on this—that you are never so tied to your former acquaintances and friends that you are pulled down to their level. If you don’t, you’ll be ruined…. You must choose whether to be loved by these friends and remain the same person, or to become a better person at the cost of those friends … if you try to have it both w

“To the youngster talking nonsense Zeno said, ‘The reason why we have two ears and only one mouth is so we might listen more and talk less.’ ” —DIOGENES LAERTIUS, LIVES OF EMINENT PHILOSOPHERS, 7.1.23

Marcus observes how willingly we will put up with unpleasantness if commanded to by the magic words “doctor’s orders.”

Let go of the past. We must only begin.

“Zeno would also say that nothing is more hostile to a firm grasp on knowledge than self-deception.” —DIOGENES LAERTIUS, LIVES OF THE EMINENT PHILOSOPHERS, 7.23