We may think of reflection as being the opposite of action. You’re living in your mind rather than the world. However, the way we think obviously influences the way we act, so there isn’t such a large barrier dividing thought and action. The stoic philosophers knew this, which is why Marcus Aurelius, one of the more famous of these philosophers, advocated for reflecting on certain lessons in order to live a better life.
There are two very famous lessons that come to mind, that there are evil people in this world and that we will eventually die. These ideas may not be novel or even interesting on their own, but by reminding ourselves of these facts we change the way we live. For example, reflecting on the existence of evil people may mentally prepare us for encounters with them. Reflecting on death may cause us to use our time more productively.
In the end, reflection is not simply a past-focused daydreaming activity, but a practice that can translate into practical action. #stoicism #marcusaurelius #philosophy
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