“Let it be a matter of indifference whether you are cold or warm while doing what is fitting, whether you are nodding with sleep or have had your fill, whether men speak ill or well of you, whether you are dying or doing something else. For death too is one of the actions of life, and we die as we preform it. Therefore, even when dying, it is sufficient that one’s present task is well fulfilled.”-Marcus Aurelius
Marcus has this way of touching each moment of life in a few short sentences. This short verse form Meditations carries such weight and conviction. I have been thinking a lot about purpose lately. Considering what is universal and what is private. Where do my intentions, or intended intentions connect whether consciously or subconsciously with those of my fellow humans.
However, I’ll leave that discussion up to a future post. For now I simply wish to examine the power of indifference. In a world that has always been filled with highly emotional and illogical beings, true indifference is difficult to find. In fact, many find it an undesirable trait. Indifference might conjure an image of a rock weathering a storm, or a cow standing in the rain. Seemingly un swayed by its surroundings.
Although admirable to most, this quality of unwavering stoicism is not a virtue many seek. Quite fairly in fact! Who wants to be a cow standing in the rain?
The important idea of this verse however, isn’t indifference toward complete pain and suffering, it instead is a matter of prioritizing what “is fitting” over what is easy.. It is removing oneself from your personal inhibitions and survival instinct and giving something back.
To take an even wider look at it, this simple verse is about all one can do in this life. We lack the tact impress our morals upon others. We lack the resources to impact global change. We lack the drive to create the unthinkable. But we mustn’t lack the inner strength to CHOOSE indifference toward our personal preferences and give away all we can. We must choose to relinquish our right to offense. For we are in fact, infinitely insignificant.
