Marcus Aurelius and Coronavirus COVID-19

Jenkinson Lake, California

My wife and I debated whether or not to cancel a planned visit with a family member in Sacramento. In the end, we decided not to let the Coronavirus halt our plans. 

The airport seemed as busy as normal. While we waited to board, the airline staff certainly made lots of announcements. As we boarded, the flight attendants asked the passengers to spread out, and not congregate near the front. With over one hundred seats free, they wanted to balance out the weight on the plane.

With the constant interruption of announcements, I took a break from Peter F. Hamilton's science fiction novel The Abyss Beyond Dreams. Instead, I finished Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, which I had slowly been reading through, bit by bit, for some time. Then I dived into essays on the writer regarded as one of the last good Roman emperors. 

The plane did not wait in line on the runway. We had a pleasant flight, and arrived twenty minutes early at our destination.

My thoughts on the man, and his writings, carried through with me on our visit. According to the essays, Marcus Aurelius never wanted power, and valued a simple life. He wrote his notes, or sayings, not to impress or instruct others, but merely for his own benefit. Through what we might call a journal, the Emperor dwells on the importance of staying true to your calling, and what you hope to achieve in life. Let nothing stop you, he seems to keep saying. Let nothing divert you from your purpose.

In an age of Coronavirus COVID-19, when many of society's events and activities are shutting down, and even Churches are closing their doors to worshipers, his Meditations resonate. Marcus Aurelius insists that people are not made to be alone, to distance themselves from others. People are made to be with others, and at their best when they are serving others. They should do this with dignity, not because they wish please or to be honored, but simply because we are all part of the whole.

What does it matter how long you live, or how you're remembered? Do what is important, and in line with your purpose.  Whether people forget or revere you when you're gone, should not motivate your actions.

During our visit, we went to restaurants until they closed their dining rooms. We visited a bookstore, a comics shop, and an art supply store. Some places, notably supermarkets, seemed busier than normal. Others were less so. People went about their tasks, and life went on. (The following week, I suspect many of those visits would have been impossible).

One day, we drove to Jenkinson Lake. We visited midweek, and had the shoreline to ourselves. The beauty of nature refreshed and centered us. 

On the return drive, we stopped by a Starbucks. There, we were far from alone.

Dragon Dave