Submitted By: Daniel Reed
Profession/Background: Entrepreneur & Ex-Military Officer
Book Title: Meditations
Author: Marcus Aurelius
Before Reading the Book:
Life was fast, loud, and mostly a blur. I had just sold my second startup after five years of relentless hustle. On the outside, everything looked perfect—money in the bank, freedom to travel, and time to finally “enjoy life.” But deep inside, something felt missing. The success didn’t silence the voice in my head questioning the purpose of it all. I was irritable, constantly anxious, and often overthinking conversations or business decisions long after they were done.
I came from a military background before entering the tech world, so I was trained to push through discomfort and suppress emotion. But I began to wonder: was that strength, or avoidance? I started searching for something—anything—that could help me feel grounded again.
Discovering the Book That Changed Everything:
It wasn’t a planned discovery. I was traveling through Rome on a solo trip and walked into a small, dusty bookstore near the Tiber River. There, tucked in a corner shelf labeled “Classics You’ll Actually Enjoy,” was a simple, black-and-white copy of Meditations. I recognized the name Marcus Aurelius—Roman emperor, philosopher, one of the last of the “Five Good Emperors.” I bought it out of curiosity, thinking I’d flip through it while sipping espresso at a café.
Little did I know, I’d read that book every day for the next six months.
After the Book:
Meditations isn’t a traditional narrative. It’s not written to impress anyone or even to be published—it was Marcus’s private journal. That rawness, that honesty, hit me hard. Here was one of the most powerful men in history, writing humbly about how to be a better person, how to manage ego, how to accept pain, and how to stay calm in chaos.
After reading just a few pages, I felt seen. The overthinking, the emotional tension, the desire to control the uncontrollable—Marcus wrestled with it too, almost two thousand years ago. That realization humbled me. If an emperor struggled with these things, maybe I wasn’t broken. Maybe I was just human.
I began journaling again. But instead of writing about my to-do list or daily frustrations, I started reflecting on my reactions, emotions, and choices. I asked myself: “Is this in my control?”—a question Marcus often posed. That single idea helped me let go of so much unnecessary stress.
The Transformation:
The biggest change? I became quieter inside. Not silent—just less noisy. I stopped needing to win every argument or prove I was right. I began listening more. In business meetings, I let others speak longer. In personal relationships, I became more present instead of constantly planning my next move.
I also started waking up with a short reading from Meditations—just one passage. I’d sit with it, sip my coffee, and think about how it applied to my day. Sometimes I’d write a quick reflection. Slowly, that practice rewired my brain. I began to live more by principles and less by impulse.
The biggest transformation wasn’t visible on the outside—it was internal. I became someone I actually liked spending time with.
My Favorite Line & How It Helps Me Every Day:
“You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
This line became a kind of anchor for me. When a client pulled out of a deal last-minute or I got stuck in airport delays or even when my relationship ended, I’d come back to it. No matter what chaos swirled around me, I reminded myself: I still get to choose how I respond. That realization is powerful. It gave me a sense of control—not over the world, but over myself.
To Anyone Considering This Book:
Don’t expect a self-help book with clear steps or a motivational tone. Meditations is raw, sometimes repetitive, and often demanding. But if you read it slowly, reflectively, and with honesty, it can truly change the way you live.
This isn’t a book to impress others with—it’s a book that quietly, gradually, impresses upon you. It humbles your ego. It grounds your emotions. And it reminds you that peace isn’t something found, but something cultivated inside.
Whether you’re a businessperson, a student, a parent, or someone navigating the storms of life, Meditations is like sitting across from a wise mentor—one who speaks softly, but whose words echo for years.