Book V, Entry 1 – In the morning, when you rise unwillingly, let this thought be present: I am rising to the work of a human being. Why then am I dissatisfied if I am going to do the things for which I exist and for which I was brought into the world? Or have I been made for this, to lie underneath the blankets and to keep myself warm? But this is more pleasant. Do you exist then to take your pleasure, and not at all for action or exertion? Do you not see the little plants, the little birds, the ants, the spiders, the bees working together to put in order their separate parts of the universe? And are you unwilling to do the work of a human being, and do you not make haste to do that which is according to your nature?

– Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

 
Book V, Entry 6 – One man, when he has done a service to another, is ready to set it down to his account as a favor conferred. Another is not ready to do this, but still thinks of a man as his debtor, and he knows what he has done. A third in a manner does not even know what he has done, but he is like a vine that has produced grapes and seeks for nothing more after it has once produced it’s proper fruit. As a horse when he has run, a dog when he has tracked the game, a bee when it has made the honey, so a man when he has done a good act, does not call out for others to come and see, but he goes on to another act, as a vine goes on to produce again the grapes in season.

– Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

These first two entries are taken from Marcus Aurelius’ meditations. Marcus Aurelius was a Stoic, meaning that he studied Stoicism as a school of philosophy. For the matters of this entry, I don’t think it’s necessary to go into the underlying’s of Stoicism, but I do resonate with this school of thought.

I believe these entries speak for themselves, and ultimately also speak to the nature of man. These entries were originally written nearly two millenia ago, and yet still describe the complexities of being a human today. That means for nearly two thousand years, humans have been experiencing the same emotions, shortcomings and difficulties to that which we feel today.

So how does this apply for us?

Well perhaps it’s not a question of, “Oh my life is so hard”, and, “Oh I do not enjoy my current circumstances”, but really a question of, “Do I realize this is the nature of humans, and do I consistently rise to the occasion to be the best I can be, empowered and fueled by the knowledge that the nature of man is as such”.

If you are perplexed by those around you who are succeeding, think of this: I would wager a guess that those around you who are motivated and go-getters ultimately have an intrinsic understanding of the above. Just as well, those who are content with their seemingly boring lives, likely work in contentment just as the bees do who work to put together their own parts of the universe.

So what’s your type of fruit?

What type of fruit do you produce? You. The vine. The growing, changing, living, tree. What colored blobs take flight from your finger tips? What proverbial “fruit” pools and ripples at your branches end, only to later ripen and float off joining all other things beautiful; intermingling, and bursting in dimensions unknown? The affects of which are like a chain reaction; the reverberations, pulsating through the universe in dimensions disparate to space and time, and whose affects gently warm the roots of those around you
I think this is a great question to ask ourselves. It helps us value ourselves, and for myself, helps in understanding my own motivations, while also being the basis of my motivation, in of itself. Ultimately, we’re all given small gifts and opportunities to create value around us on a daily basis. The creation of this fruit gives us purpose and in creating this fruit, we are also meeting the call to create the best versions of ourselves.

As a horse when he has run, a dog when he has tracked the game, a bee when it has made the honey, so a man when he has done a good act…

I find that at the core, if you are aware that you are putting out, and developing good fruit, then you will find satisfaction in life. Regardless of whether it’s making the best latte coffees for others to enjoy, or you’re engineering the newest structure to grace man kind. Big or small, we should really ask ourselves if our actions are rooted in creating good fruit.

So what will your fruit be?

Thoughts of a ho… Now you know…