Master

One of my favorite quotes by Marcus Aurelius goes something like this:

“Where a man liveth, there also can he live well.”

When I first read the quote, I remember sitting in a lounge chair on the 10th floor of a beautiful highrise in Oakland, California. Wearing a fluffy white robe and drinking champagne, kombucha, water and coffee, I had everything I needed to enjoy the morning…

Since reading his words, I’ve been concscious that I can embody them in every place and moment I find myself. Usually, I look at my environment and think ‘how can this be improved?’ Sometimes it’s a matter of cleaning up mess. Other times, it means whipped cream on my coffee.

Ever since moving into a home, I’ve made it a personal challenge to stay in motion and continue making it a better place for both myself and those who enter the front door. The result is a tremendous amount of house/yard work that never seems to end – because it doesn’t; the grass will never stop growing, laundry will always need to be folded and the kitchen is a perpetual battle.

In the middle of it all, I’ve found myself a little closer to being the man I want to be.

Most men won’t admit it, but they silently size up all other men during their 20’s; asking themselves ‘could I take that guy if it came to fists?’ Anybody who says otherwise is lying – or a eunuch. In similar fashion, I found myself looking at houses, yards, home improvement projects and seasonal fertilizer schedules; wondering, could I do it?

Well, the answer to that question came to me via a beautiful home in Highland Village – and a yard that requires constant upkeep to look presentable. Within a week of moving in, I had to start raking leaves – which didn’t stop until it started snowing.

Months went by and my collection of lawn tools began to accumulate – as well as be used heavily. Between all of the toil, I noticed a few patterns emerging, which came as a result of observation.

For example, the grass will never stop growing. If I make a big deal out of mowing it; grumbling and hating every minute of the mow, I’ve got a very long road ahead of me. There’s a lot of wisdom in the phrase: “Whistle while you work.”

Recognizing the grass won’t stop growing is a lot like observing others in your life; noticing the people that will never stop being a thorn in your side. Throw some roses around them and move on.

Back when I was reading Meditations, I read the verse and interpreted it very differently than I do now. My interpretation of living a good life was largely viewed through the lense of experiences. Now, it’s viewed through the lense of producing; making good work with my time, mind and hands.

Now, when I look around me, I see something very different than I have for most of my life; a home. It’s not just my home. It’s our home. When I walk through the property, I’m awestruck at the satisfaction I find from looking at something…and then making it so.

Being master of one domain requires you to first be a servant in many others – first.