In Book 6 of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, Marcus writes:

All of us are working on the same project. Some consciously, with understanding; some without knowing it. Some of us work in one way, and some in others. And those who complain and try to obstruct and thwart things - they help as much as anyone. The world needs them as well.

So make up your mind who you’ll choose to work with. The force that directs all things will make good use of you regardless - will put you on its payroll and set you to work.”

Whats’ the project we’re working on together? What’s the thing that all of our collective energies are poured into? Service.

If you are in any type of occupation - including rearing little humans - you are serving another. The return on your service can be money, hugs, kisses, friendship, family, career development, you name it! Some times we see the ROI today. Some times the ROI comes years in the future.

We are all doing our best to serve someone else. And if we complain, it just means that we are frustrated because we can’t serve as well as we want.

As Marcus suggests, you get to choose who you serve and what problems you solve for them.

You get to choose.