{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Breach","description":"On this week's Keepin It Real, Cam Marston had a client breach a contract and he's trying to use lessons from Marcus Aurelius to keep himself from absolutely losing it. ----- I\u2019m reading Marcus Aurelius\u2019 book called Meditations written in about the year 175. They\u2019re notes to himself about the thoughts he\u2019s having and how he\u2019s working to keep his head on straight. He\u2019s writing to work things out. No audience in mind, just for him. Throughout his writings several themes arise. First, he\u2019s aware of the presence of death. The topic of dying is never far. Second, he has to keep reminding himself that he can\u2019t control the behaviors of those around him, only himself. He controls his outlook on things and his attitude. He writes this over and over again. And third, his desire to do good. Always wanting to do good. For himself, for Rome, for the gods, for his troops. He\u2019s consumed by doing good. Struggling to temper his reactions whenever bad things come his way. He\u2019s focused on controlling his behavior. It's been a good read. Aurelius had a number of people conspire against him while he was away on campaign. His plan was to return to Rome and forgive them. He died in route. It\u2019s a very kind action in an era I often associate with ruthless and barbaric behavior. I\u2019ve recently had a client break a contract. Their behavior appeared willful and intentional but in hindsight, I\u2019m hoping it wasn\u2019t. It is a very large multi-national company. Every person I\u2019ve met there seemed honest and genuine and sincere until this one thing has happened. A few weeks ago, I wanted to go to my small business colleagues and yell at the top of my lungs \u201cBe careful. They\u2019re not who they say they are. Don\u2019t let the charm fool you. Be very, very careful.\u201d Now, not so much. My anger has diminished. I need to remedy the contract. I need to correct what\u2019s happened. But goodness knows mounting a legal dispute would drain my small business. I\u2019d go broke trying. Them? Hardly a blip on their radar. So, how to proceed? What would my man, Marcus Aurelius, do? I think he\u2019d remind himself that he can\u2019t control the behavior of other people and his desire to do good and be kind should outweigh any anger, hostility and disappointment he feels. He needs to find the remedy without letting anger take hold. He may forgive them but he\u2019d, rightly, never forget that it happened. And for me, right now, for what appeared like pre-meditated theft, forgiveness is a tall order. It's amazing how unchanged our thoughts and emotions are in 2000 years. How the disciplines and thoughts and writings that a Roman emperor used to keep himself from losing it applies to me right now. I\u2019d like to think that we\u2019re kinder and more civil and sophisticated today. However, it\u2019s simply not true. The virtues that Aurelius championed are as hard to bring forth in me today as they were to him 2000 years ago. I\u2019m Cam Marston and I\u2019m just trying to Keep it Real.  ","author_name":"Keepin' It Real with Cam Marston","author_url":"https:\/\/cammarston.com\/keepin-it-real-with-cam-marston\/","html":"