The Less You Do - The More You Do

Marcus Aurelius and Paul Rudd?

I didn’t think I’d ever write a post comparing actor Paul Rudd and one of the greatest Roman Emperors and most influential philosophers to ever live, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. But here we are.

1,828 years after the death of Marcus Aurelius, in April of 2008, humanity was changed forever…

The undisputed, greatest rom-com of all time was released in theaters, ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall.”

If you haven’t seen Forgetting Sarah Marshall. You should stop reading this and do it.

But here’s a quick run down of what the movie is all about;

Peter Bretter, an uninspired musician (played by Jason Segel) had been dating the love of his life TV star Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell) for 5-years, when she suddenly breaks up with him. Heartbroken, Peter try’s seemingly everything in an attempt to get over her when he decides to vacation to Hawaii in hopes to feel some sort of happiness. At the resort Peter is staying at in Hawaii, it turns into a nightmare scenario when he runs into Sarah and her new British, sex-crazed, rock star boyfriend (Russell Brand) who are staying at the resort as well.

In one scene Peter decides he wants to learn to surf. That is when he runs into Paul Rudd’s character, a surfer dude named ‘Chuck’ who strictly refers to himself as ‘Kunu’ ever since he has moved to Hawaii.

Watch Chuck’s surf lesson with Peter here: “You are doing too much, do less.”

Chuck’s air headed word’s “The less you do, the more you do.” And “You are doing too much, do less.” Though hilarious, they are philosophical.

In Marcus Aurelius’ Meditation’s he says;

“If you seek tranquility do less.” - Marcus Aurelius

Like Peter did at first with his breakup, we often try to do too much when we are attempting to bounce back from one of life’s hardships.

In reality we do not need to do much. We just need to do what is essential. We need to learn to “do less better” As Marcus Aurelius said.

Peter came to realize that all these external things he’s been pursuing while trying to find some internal peace were useless. Sleeping around didn’t help, escaping to a tropical paradise didn’t help. Where he really needed to escape was inward.

For Peter, that was learning to do what he loved to do to the best of his ability. What Peter loved to do was work on his ‘Dracula Musical.’ (Another all-time scene). When he worked on his Dracula Musical he was at one with nature, he was doing what he was meant to be doing in life.

Working on this life project of his allowed Peter to escape inward.

What do you have that makes you feel like you are at one with nature? What do you do that allows you to escape inward?

If you don’t know yet, that’s exciting, because that thing is out there. Once you find it, pursue it to the fullest see what happens.

“People try to get away from it all—to the country, to the beach, to the mountains. You always wish that you could too. Which is idiotic: you can get away from it anytime you like.

By going within.

-Marcus Aurelius