Meditations for Mortals summary

Week One of our four weeks of daily meditations is all about embracing our limitations. It’s about recognizing that we are all finite beings, with real limits on how much we can accomplish in our lifetime. 

Embracing life’s limitations goes hand-in-hand with recognizing that we’re often trying to juggle too much – a situation where we simply can’t do it all. Once you accept this fact, it’s like getting caught in a rainstorm and letting go of the idea that you’re going to stay dry. The anxiety of trying to control everything begins to fade, freeing you to focus on what you can do, not in the hope of creating a perfect life, but because the actions themselves are worthwhile.

Sometimes, the feeling of being burdened by a neverending list of tasks can be a form of procrastination – of avoiding meaningful action. The same can be said of trying to honor some sense of perfectionism. Both of these things can keep us from making big choices and moving forward. Think of it this way: we dream of being on a superyacht, where we can control our destiny with steady precision. But in reality, life is more like paddling a kayak – unsteady, unpredictable, and messy.

So how do you start spending time on what matters? Just do the thing. Today. The act of doing, even imperfectly, is what builds the habit of meaningful living. Waiting for the perfect conditions or the right mindset is just a distraction from the simple, hard truth: you have to start paddling.

Here’s one tip for getting started. Instead of measuring your worth by the boxes you haven’t ticked-off on your to-do list, try keeping a “done list.” Every task you complete gets added to this growing list, which can help shift your perspective from one of endless deficit to a more positive acknowledgment of progress.

While you’re at it, don’t feel obligated to stay on top of the constant stream of news and social media. It’s okay to withdraw your attention from the noise and focus on the issues that truly matter to you. Being a good citizen isn’t about being outraged at everything; it’s about choosing your battles wisely and focusing your attention and energy in ways that can make a difference.

Now for worrying. Worrying is human nature, but it can also be misguided. When you worry, you’re often trying to predict the future, which is a fool’s game. Instead, how about starting to trust yourself. It’s a given that challenges will come. But it can also be a given that you’ll be equipped to handle them when they do. This is something that the legendary Stoic Marcus Aurelius taught: Don’t let fear of the future destroy your present. Trust that you’ll have the tools you need when the time comes.