Finding strength

Marcus Aurelius quotes in his Meditations Epicurus, the founding father of the philosophical school known as Epicureanism, ¹ :

"In illness my conversation was not about the sufferings of my body, nor used I', he says, 'to talk to my visitors about such matters, but I continued to debate leading principles of science and to keep only to this, how the understanding while conscious of such changes in the mere flesh is yet undisturbed and preserves its own proper good. I did not even', he goes on, 'permit the medical men to give themselves airs as though they were doing some great thing, but my life passed on happily and brightly.' Do the same then as he did, in sickness if you are sick and in any other circumstance, for it is common to every school not to desert Philosophy in any at all of the accidents of life and not to gossip with the ignorant and unlearned. Be intent only on what is now being done and on the instrument you use to do it.”

~

In the last days of his life, kidney pain caused Epicurus terrible suffering at a time when supplies were limited, and little was known about disease. Nevertheless, he writes in his letter to Idomeneus:

“On this blessed day, which is also the last of my life, I write this to you. My continual sufferings from strangury and dysentery are so severe that nothing can increase them.But the cheerfulness of my mind, which arises from the remembrance of our past conversations, counterbalances all these afflictions.”

Despite the severe pain he endured, a sense of serenity accompanied him in his final moments.

Contemporary figures who, in their time, faced pain or illness continue to resonate with us; they become our source of inspiration when we choose to keep their memory alive. By honouring their struggles, we can see them as role models, motivating us to remain steadfast in our own pursuits.

Consider Stephen Hawking, for example. Diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at just 21, he confronted the relentless advance of a disease that eventually left him nearly entirely paralyzed. Yet, despite these immense physical challenges, Hawking rose to become one of the most esteemed astrophysicists of his era. He continued his groundbreaking work for 55 years after his diagnosis, passing away at the age of 76, leaving behind a colossal legacy in scientific research that has helped humanity expand its understanding of the universe, paving the way for future discoveries and inspiring countless individuals around the globe.

Think about Beethoven. Despite being entirely engulfed in silence during the twilight of his life, transcended the limits of human frailty to compose some of the most groundbreaking and monumental masterpieces in the history of music, his genius undiminished by the loss of hearing.

Christopher Reeve, Jane Austen, Lou Gehrig, and Helen Keller, among countless others, exemplify the resilience and courage of individuals who defied the limitations imposed by their conditions. Each of them, in their unique way, overcame immense challenges—Reeve's advocacy for spinal injury research after paralysis, Austen's literary genius despite chronic illness, Gehrig's enduring legacy in baseball despite Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Keller's remarkable achievements as a deaf-blind pioneer. Their stories continue to inspire generations, reminding us of the boundless capacity of the human spirit to endure and thrive against the odds.

These individuals, whose names you may have only encountered in passing, exemplify that our deepest values—what Marcus Aurelius calls our guiding principle—form the very foundation of our existence. It is precisely in times of adversity that these values must remain unshaken, serving as our anchor when external circumstances turn against us.

This attitude is a commitment to the primacy of the mind over the body.

This attitude is a recognition that it is up to us to decide where we focus our attention.

This attitude is the overwhelming desire of all those who struggle to remain true to their principles. And perhaps therein lies their great dignity and true happiness.

Of course, this is not always easy,
and we are not all the same in this respect. Some individuals show more resilience than others. However, knowing that some have managed to demonstrate such resilience
inspires me,
and perhaps you as well.

Until we meet again, may you find courage in adversity and inspiration in every step of your journey. Take care, and see you next time.