A Great Fortune

Embrace Gratitude

As we navigate our fast-paced lives, we easily overlook the immense fortune we enjoy daily. Reflecting on the lives of influential philosophers like Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, we can see how far we’ve come and how fortunate we are in the present. While we can’t predict what the 22nd or 23rd centuries will bring, we can cherish and make the most of today.

Imagine yourself in a serene setting—a cozy café like Farris Bad, where you’re sipping a rich, velvety cappuccino. You’ve just savored a bowl of exquisite fish soup. Now, through the expansive windows, you watch the gentle waves of Larvik’s fjord lapping at the shore. The scene is peaceful, almost meditative. In moments like these, self-reflection naturally arises, with it, a deep appreciation for our blessings.

We live in an era of remarkable convenience and innovation. Think about it: with the simple touch of a button, we can communicate instantly across the globe, access vast knowledge, and capture our thoughts, whether for starting a business, writing a poem, a blog post, or even a book. All of this is made possible by technology, electricity, and the tools we often take for granted, like our mobile phones.

Sitting here contemplating the waves’ beauty, I am reminded of gratitude while writing this blog and doing the abovementioned things. Let’s acknowledge these modern marvels and the ultimate source of our existence—the creator of life itself.

Furthermore, today’s technologies allow us to experience the world around us more enriching and fulfilling. It is our great fortune to be able to enjoy every moment.

Imagine:

The Fortune You Hold Today

A Reflection on Our Modern Blessings

Consider the towering figures of ancient history—Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus, who rose from slavery to wisdom. These were men whose wealth, power, and influence were unparalleled, even by today’s lofty standards. They commanded empires and shaped history; their names have echoed through the centuries. Yet, in many ways, you, here and now, are far more fortunate than they could have ever imagined.

Picture Marcus Aurelius, the revered philosopher-emperor, desiring to read as darkness envelopes his palace. What seems a simple, almost trivial act for us today would have been an intricate endeavor for him. Servants would scurry to light torches, holding them steady to provide the flickering light needed for reading. If the night were cold, even more servants would be tasked with stoking fires, struggling to keep the emperor warm in Rome’s vast stone halls.