Dipped in Purple Dye

Marcus Aurelius said, "Take heed not to be transformed into a Caesar, not to be dipped in the purple dye, for it does happen. Keep yourself therefore, simple, good, pure, grave, unaffected, the friend of justice, religious, kind, affectionate, strong for your proper work. Wrestle to be the man philosophy wished to make you. Reverence the gods, save men. Life is brief; there is but one harvest of earthly existence, a holy disposition and neighborly acts."

I know several famous people and I know this about them: their lives were better and they were happier prior to their success. I also know that for each of them their success did not hold the value they thought it would. Their lives are more complex now and they don't know who loves them or who is in relationship with them for their resources. They long for the good old days. They long to be anonymous and unrecognized but truly known.

Keep it simple. Love your neighbors. Love your family. Love God. And, remember there is one harvest.
Enjoy today.

P.S. The clouds have lifted though it is raining in Portland.