It is hard to start with this one. I usually read a lot and just recently decided to start on writing this review.

Now listen. I don't want to do a professional review. I can't. This is only for the casual reader. It is a basic expression of my thoughts on the subject. And since I have explained and established that, I want to express my feelings and the inspiration I got from this incredible book, written so many decades ago and turned itself into an eternal knowledge.

When I bought it I expected to like it, since I have read the reviews of others. One great thing is that I am trying to get more and more information for Stoicism. This book helped a lot. It was incredible.

OK, let's start. With only the first few pages It is catching. The first! It follows the life of the emperor and his thoughts. Understanding that it wasn't supposed to be published makes it more real and honest. I immediately dived in his thoughts and started writing down some of the sentences that got me at the moment, sentences of realization, clarification and brutal honesty.

No one loses any other life than the one he now lives, nor does one live any other life than that which he will lose.

The book itself is a guide for himself and is presenting a mental world. A world about death, harm, way of thinking and the universe itself. A universe of constant change. One should follow the law of nature and focus on controlling the way problems affect us.

Choose not to be harmed and you won't feel harmed. Don't feel harmed and you haven't been.

It made me think. And it reminded me of a lot of ideas and thoughts I may say I know and follow. A reminder. A reminder that there is only one life, only one death and everything is part of the great universal flow, that we cannot change and many things are just out of our control.

That's why I try to live more focused and present. I try to concentrate and enjoy the living, breathing moment I have now. Not worrying too much.

Another thing that really resonated with me is the power of persistence and consistency. Even tho we don't have control on many things. We also do it with others.

If something is difficult for you to accomplish, do not then think it impossible for any human being; rather, if it is humanly possible and corresponds to human nature, know that it is attainable by you as well.

We live in a wonderful world and this book is an incredible reminder to be more present and mindful.

I highly recommend it and I put it very high on my personal reading list.