Meant To Build You

It's day 168 of documenting 2025.

Trials are meant to build you, not destroy you.
Sometimes your perception has to change for you to have a different perspective of your situation.
#quotes

That's how I want to start today's post.
I got the ideas above from a video I watched yesterday.
The man was talking about how focus is essential for God's favor.
I took down some notes too...✍️

So, we'll just dive into today's sections...
Highlights and Meditations

365 Days With Self-discipline 

📌 On Wasting Your Energy When You Don't Have Important Rituals 

"There is no more miserable human being than one in whom nothing is habitual but indecision, and for whom the lighting of every cigar, the drinking of every cup, the time of rising and going to bed every day, and the beginning of every bit of work, are subjects of express volitional deliberation.
Full half the time of such a man goes to the deciding, or regretting, of matters which ought to be so ingrained in him as practically not to exist for his consciousness at all."
Quote by William James

"Continuing on the topic of routines that we discussed yesterday, the more routines you have (particularly routines for the most important parts of the day), the more time and energy you have for making decisions."

"At a minimum, develop at least three routines in your life that will eliminate indecision and improve your control of the day:

1. When you wake up and when you go to bed. Life is unpredictable and things will happen, but you can choose your working hours and ensure a highly predictable weekly schedule.

2. What you do in the morning to ensure a good day’s start. Discover what types of mornings usually lead to happy, productive days and repeat the same actions daily.

3. When you work. Most applicable to entrepreneurs and other people with flexible work schedule. If you don’t have a flexible schedule, at least dedicate a set period of the day for the most important part of your work."

So, routines....
I'm working on setting up new routines again.
I've had too much indecision for a while and it's time for a change ✨

I hope you have a strong routine.
If you don't, you can learn from the book that taught me how:
"Habit Stacking" by SJ Scott.
Moving on...

Meditations
📌 One Lesson On Its Own

Get this...
I told you in a former post that the writings (or lessons) of Marcus Aurelius are numbered.

The one I'm about to share with you is probably the longest so far...spanning two pages.
And so many ideas in one...that I got confused 🤔
I asked AI again to interpret.

First, the lesson itself and then its interpretation.

4. Don’t waste the rest of your time here worrying about other people—unless it affects the common good. It will keep you from doing anything useful. You’ll be too preoccupied with what so-and-so is doing, and why, and what they’re saying, and what they’re thinking, and what they’re up to, and all the other things that throw you off and keep you from focusing on your own mind.

You need to avoid certain things in your train of thought: everything random, everything irrelevant.
And certainly everything self-important or malicious. You need to get used to winnowing your thoughts, so that if someone says, “What are you thinking about?” you can respond at once (and truthfully) that you are thinking this or thinking that.

And it would be obvious at once from your answer that your thoughts were straightforward and considerate ones—the thoughts of an unselfish person, one
unconcerned with pleasure and with sensual indulgence generally, with squabbling, with slander and envy, or anything else you’d be ashamed to be caught thinking.

Someone like that—someone who refuses to put off joining the elect—is a kind of priest, a servant of the gods, in touch with what is within him and what keeps a person undefiled by pleasures, invulnerable to any pain, untouched by arrogance, unaffected by meanness, an athlete in the greatest of all contests—the struggle not to be overwhelmed by anything that jappens.

With what leaves us dyed indelibly by justice, welcoming wholeheartedly whatever comes—whatever we’re assigned—not worrying too often, or with any selfish motive, about what other people say. Or do, or think.
He does only what is his to do, and considers constantly what the world has in store for him—doing his best, and trusting that all is for the best.

For we carry our fate with us—and it carries us.
He keeps in mind that all rational things are related, and that to care for all human beings is part of being human.
Which doesn’t mean we have to share their opinions. We should listen only to those whose lives conform to nature.

And the others? He bears in mind what sort of people they are—both at home and abroad, by night as well as day—and who they spend their time with. And he cares nothing for their praise—men who can’t even meet their own standards.

Yeah...this is pretty long.
And I understood some parts, like the first part...but the ideas got mixed up in my head.
ChatGPT broke it down tho....
Here's what it interpreted:

Marcus Aurelius, in this passage, is urging us to stay focused on our own purpose and inner growth instead of being distracted by the noise and opinions of others.

He’s saying: don’t waste your limited time on Earth worrying about what other people are doing or thinking—unless it truly serves the greater good. That kind of distraction pulls you away from your own clarity, peace, and self-discipline.

He encourages us to purify our thoughts—to think clearly, kindly, and truthfully. So much so that if someone asked, “What are you thinking?” your answer would reveal a mind focused on virtue, not pride, gossip, or selfishness.

He paints a picture of the ideal person: someone deeply grounded, unshaken by pain or pleasure, living in harmony with nature and purpose. Someone who acts justly, accepts what comes with grace, and doesn’t obsess over the judgment of others—especially those who don’t live by their own values.

In essence, he’s describing the path of inner freedom: doing your duty, loving humanity, and not letting external chaos disturb your inner peace.

C'est fini...that's it!
Couldn't get more simpler than that.
And the picture of the ideal person...sounds like perfection.
Yo! That person has to be flawless!

However, I think it takes a bit of time for someone to get to that level...and it's not impossible.
There are probably so many ideal people out there.
Just me saying 😏

Anyhoo...
It's another blessed day 💜
And I'm loving every part of the teaching process...even though I'm not always enthusiastic about it.
The students definitely like to have me around...as they ask when next I will come to their class.
It's a good sign, right?

A nice way to end the post...
Based on the bright side of things.
Things are not always as bad as they seem, my friend. Remember that.

Thanks for reading 🎀
For always thinking about this blog and coming back to read something new.
I think there's a connection here ☺️

I'm still on the journey...and one thing I learned recently is that things have to get bad before they get better.
I'm not saying this to scare you...but to give you hope.
Things will get better 💜

Kindly check out these pages if you got some extra minutes:
The main website, to catch up on former posts.
The reader survey, to share more of your thoughts and suggestions.
I'll see you there 😉

I'm Duon Ada.
I'm documenting 2025,
And I'll see you tomorrow.
Ciao 💕