Finally, Marcus provides perspective through the "View from Above." He reminds himself constantly of the vastness of time and the tiny sliver of it that he occupies. He notes that the "greats" of the past are now just dust and stories.
To the perplexed person today, this is a tool for clarity. When we are stressed by a high-stakes meeting or a social media trend, Marcus would tell us to look at the "parts" of the thing. Stripped of the hype and our own anxieties, most problems lose their power to disturb us. The Obstacle is the Way Marcus Aurelius: A Guide for the Perplexed
If someone is rude to you, they have given you an opportunity to practice patience. If you fail at a task, you have gained the opportunity to practice humility and learning. In this light, there is no such thing as a "bad" day—only a series of opportunities to test your virtues. The Big Picture (Cosmopolis) Finally, Marcus provides perspective through the "View from