Chasing Wisdom

Weekly wisdom to bring you home in 3 minutes.

A SHORT STORY

I came across a story about the Emperor Marcus Aurelius this past week that reminded me why it matters to never stop growing.

Even late in his life, Marcus was said to have run into a friend one early morning while carrying a load of books. His friend asked where he was headed. Marcus’ reply was simple, yet profound:

“I’m off to see Sextus the philosopher—to learn that which I do not yet know.”

That image stays with me: a man already celebrated as emperor, still humble enough to rise at dawn in search of wisdom. It reminds me why it matters to keep chasing what we don’t yet understand—to seek, to question, and to never stop learning.

What’s something small you’ve been curious about but haven’t taken the time to explore? How could you explore that today?

A POEM

“The Fourth Sign of the Zodiac” by Mary Oliver

I know, you never intended to be in this world.
But you’re in it all the same.

so why not get started immediately.

I mean, belonging to it.
There is so much to admire, to weep over.

And to write music or poems about.

Bless the feet that take you to and fro.
Bless the eyes and the listening ears.
Bless the tongue, the marvel of taste.
Bless touching.

You could live a hundred years, it’s happened.
Or not.
I am speaking from the fortunate platform
of many years,
none of which, I think, I ever wasted.
Do you need a prod?
Do you need a little darkness to get you going?
Let me be urgent as a knife, then,
and remind you of Keats,
so single of purpose and thinking, for a while,
he had a lifetime.

Grateful,

Michael