Marcus Aurelius:
"That which rules within, when it is according to nature, is so affected with respect to the events which happen, that it always easily adapts itself to that which is and is presented to it.
For it requires no definite material, but it moves towards its purpose, under certain conditions however; and it makes a material for itself out of that which opposes it, as fire lays hold of what falls into it, by which a small light would have been extinguished: but when the fire is strong, it soon appropriates to itself the matter which is heaped on it, and consumes it, and rises high by means of this very material."
Tossed into the churn? Churn it into cream: that is, to use the present as a bridge towards a more propitious future, something with practical examples beyond the exhortation to make the most of the day.
For instance.
1998. Sitting at home. USA Network on television, and after Wings came Lonesome Dove, which I never especially cared for in its first-run on regular air, but I came to almost take a study of it, a survey, building in my mind a kind of database, knowing the musical cues and the emotional points, the reasons behind positioning a character in such-and-such position of power or influence, based on fan response and behind the scenes contract negotiation.
Literally, to watch a television show, while, in the mind, reverse-engineering the creation process, and thus learning, to some extent, how to make a television show.
Such can be done with popular music and other consumable media.
As the Good Emperor continues:
"Let no act be done without a purpose, nor otherwise than according to the perfect principles of art."
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