Whenever the movie Gladiator comes on TV, I always watch it. It’s one of those movies you can watch over and over and come away with something new. As a fan of stoicism and a good story on mental (and physical) resiliency. It highlights many aspects of how we think about purpose, work, duty, and balancing ambition.

There is a quote that is worth reviewing. Maximum asks Cicero,

“Do you find it difficult to do your duty?” Cicero responds, “Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to.”

He doesn’t respond with any inflection of annoyance, impatience, or dissatisfaction. He simply acknowledges that there are things he must do, and not even in order to do the things he wants to do, just that they’re necessary. That small distinction is also important; the things we “want” to do aren’t always “dessert” to the main course of necessary work, simply that we do them because it’s part of life.

Marcus Aurelius also has another great quote in Meditations on waking up to the work we’re meant to do:

“At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: “I have to go to work — as a human being. What do I have to complain of, if I’m going to do what I was born for — the things I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?”

Motivation has nothing to do with it. We must remind ourselves that there is work we must do, even if it’s not what we want to (be doing).

The “best day ever” isn’t a start to finish day of leisure. It is one of purpose, work, duty, passion, and service. Go make today the best day ever.

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