The Meditations: An Emperor's Guide to Mastery by Marcus Aurelius reflects the Stoic philosophy which teaches that you should focus on things that are within your control, that means your opinions and way you see things. The rest is out of your control, therefore you should just accept them.

There are so many incredible teachings on this book. The most fascinating thing is that Marcus Aurelius never had the intention to write this book or publish it. Those are notes he wrote to himself. You also have to remember that Marcus had everything, he was the Emperor of Rome, the biggest empire of the western world. As some scholars say, he was one of the true philosophers because he did not just talk about things, he applied them in the real world. 

• If you are upset by something outside you, it is not the thing itself that upsets you, but your opinion of it. And it is in your power to wipe away that opinion immediately. 
• If your own thoughts are causing you pain, who is keeping you from changing them? 
• Is there an obstacle blocking your way? Make it part of your plan and turn it to your advantage. 
• What if it kills you? Then you'll leave this world contentedly, as someone who pursued a worthy goal to the end--not as a coward who gave up and stopped trying.

About the Author

Sam Torode creates books that entertain, inform, and inspire. He is author of the bestselling humorous novel The Dirty Parts of the Bible and paraphraser of several philosophical classics including As a Man Thinketh by James Allen, The Manual by Epictetus, and The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.