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This week, I reflect on what it really means to live with joy—not the fleeting kind that comes from distractions, praise, or comfort, but the deep, lasting joy that Marcus Aurelius wrote about. He says joy lies in doing the proper work of being human: being kind, exercising self-control, seeing the world clearly, and accepting the natural order of life. That’s not flashy, but it is fulfilling.

Lately, I’ve noticed how easy it is for me to get caught up in the opposite. I talk a lot about discipline, patience, and mindfulness, but the truth is I still procrastinate, distract myself with entertainment, and get discouraged by the day-to-day grind. I find myself slipping into cynicism, talking a good game about growth while repeating patterns that hold me back.

But I’m trying to be honest with myself. It’s not enough to know what a good life looks like—I have to live it. Joy, as the Stoics describe it, isn’t something I have to chase. It’s something I can choose, right here, right now, by showing up with integrity in even the smallest things. It’s in making kind choices, doing hard things with courage, and staying anchored to what really matters—even when life feels heavy, or hope feels far off.

I’m not where I want to be yet. But I know the gap between who I am and who I want to become is crossed by taking one honest step at a time. This episode is that step. It’s messy, it’s personal, but it’s real—and I hope it reminds you, too, that even when joy feels distant, it’s never completely out of reach.

You can start again today, just like I am.

Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!

Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic Books

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