Meditate often on the swiftness with which all that exists and is coming into being is swept by us and carried away. For substance is like a river’s unending flow, its activities continually changing and causes infinitely shifting so almost thing at all stands still.
– Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 5.23
It amuses me to think that Marcus Aurelius was probably also taught Heraclitus’ pithy adages in a similar manner to which we all learn them today considering that, even in Marcus’ time, it was already ancient wisdom given the hundreds of years that separate the two men’s lives.
No man steps in the same river twice.
Everything flows.
The only constant is change.
To some these words are demoralizing. Must everything be fleeting? How does one build a foundation when change is constant? How can you enjoy the moment knowing it won’t last?
To this I would say, consider the opposite. The trials and tribulations of today hardly matter if they are transient. Your failures, real or imagined, will soon be behind you. The discomfort of this moment will pass if you let it.
When life is hard, endure. Change will come to shuffle the board.
When life is good, enjoy as deeply and passionately as possible. Nothing lasts forever.
And perhaps, instead of trying to build sturdy foundations, you would be better served by building sturdy boats instead.
Cash Flow 