The Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius who ruled from 161 to 180 CE and is remembered as one of the leading figures of Stoic philosophy is the author of today’s quote. This quote reminds us that goodness, compassion and inner strength are not necessarily qualities we must seek from the outside world. They already exist within us, waiting to be discovered, nurtured and expressed.
The imagery of a fountain is particularly meaningful. Just as water continues to flow from an underground source, our capacity for kindness, wisdom and integrity remains available, even when life’s difficulties make it harder to access. However, reaching that source requires effort. We must be willing to look honestly at ourselves, question our reactions and consciously choose how we respond to the world around us. There will inevitably be moments when anger, disappointment, fear or frustration threaten to overwhelm our better judgement. During such times, it may seem easier to react impulsively or allow circumstances to dictate our behaviour. Yet Aurelius reminds us that our character is shaped not simply by what happens to us, but by how we choose to respond.
The instruction to keep digging also suggests that personal growth is an ongoing process. Goodness is not something we discover once and possess forever. It requires regular attention through self-reflection, patience, compassion and the small choices we make each day. Perhaps the most reassuring message is that we do not need perfect circumstances to become better human beings. Even during difficult periods, we can return to the values that matter most to us.
With October moving towards its final week, I can almost feel the year gathering speed. This week has been a curious mixture of urgency, reflection and the quiet satisfaction of recognising how far I have come. Work has been a combination of last-minute adjustments, conversations, preparations and the inevitable little fires that appear when something important is approaching. But amid all the details, there was a moment that reminded me why the work matters. Watching someone gradually find their confidence was a powerful reminder that behind every plan, spreadsheet and deadline are real people whose lives can be changed in small but meaningful ways.
Outside work, my creative world has been particularly alive. I’ve been revisiting childhood memories, thinking about ordinary objects and the stories they carry, and imagining what I want to write in the coming year. There is something comforting about realising that the smallest moments, the ones we barely notice while living them, often become our most treasured memories.
Meanwhile, the haze continued to be an unwelcome companion. Between checking air-quality readings and reconsidering outdoor routines, the changing skies have reminded me how easily we take ordinary pleasures, especially fresh air, for granted. At least there have been occasional improvements, even if the uncertainty remains.
On a more personal note, I’ve been reflecting on how my relationship with work, money and happiness has changed over the years. Perhaps growing older brings a different understanding of what constitutes enough. Family, familiar conversations, memories and the freedom to pursue things I love increasingly feel like measures of abundance in their own right. Perhaps this week’s lesson is that progress isn’t always about acquiring more. Sometimes it is about recognising how much we already have, how far we’ve travelled, and how comfortably we are beginning to inhabit the lives we’ve created.
This week, verse 2.64 of the Bhagavad Gita tells us that peace does not come from withdrawing from the world. Krishna teaches that peace comes from how we engage with it. We suffer when we cling desperately to what we like and resist what we dislike. The more balanced our relationship with life’s experiences, the more freedom we discover. True self-mastery is not about control over others. It is about understanding ourselves deeply enough that our peace is no longer dictated by circumstances.
This week I learned that we have to hold on to the part of us that believes things are still working in our favor. During the fiercest storms, when things are breaking down, plans aren’t working out, and everything feels so impossible that we can barely breathe, that’s when we need to hold on to that belief even more tightly. The belief may seem illogical at times, but the truth remains that our story hasn’t finished unfolding yet. Things can still fall into place in ways we never thought were possible. Through it all, our only job is not to let ourselves become consumed by fearful thoughts. Holding on to this truth can give us the strength to stay afloat. We have to remain open to possibilities that we cannot see yet.
To those in the region, still battling the haze, stay indoors, masked and safe.
