Early Morning Silence and Stoic Reflections

Marcus Aurelius, Bicycling, and the Mental Cost of Social Media
In the quiet streets of Dallas, around 4:30 a.m., I ride my bicycle.
It’s dark. The roads are empty. The air is cool and still. And it is during this time—between each rotation of the pedal and every breath—that I find a moment of clarity. A moment for myself. No notifications, no voices, no noise except the hum of the tires.
It is here that I listen to Marcus Aurelius.

And often, as I ride, one quote echoes in my mind:
“We all love ourselves more than other people, but care more about their opinion than our own.”
— Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

This line has stayed with me. It gently confronts a universal truth—we seek validation, not from within, but from others. And it couldn’t be more relevant in today’s world.

Reflections from the Saddle

The very act of riding my bicycle in solitude has become a meditation. The absence of traffic mirrors my need to silence the mental traffic we carry daily—expectations, judgments, comparisons.

As I ride, listening to Marcus Aurelius speak through time, I find myself asking: Why are we so obsessed with what others think?

The answer may lie in how we live today.

The Disease of Digital Validation

Social media has distorted the natural balance of self-respect and social feedback. What once came from a trusted friend or mentor now comes from an algorithm, a like button, or a string of emojis from strangers we’ll never meet.

For today’s youth—whose brains are still forming and whose identities are still being shaped—this validation addiction is devastating.

They may have hundreds or thousands of "friends" online, yet no one to talk to face-to-face when they’re hurting. Their mental well-being is tethered to engagement metrics: likes, views, shares, and comments.

A negative comment can ruin their day. A missed like can question their worth. And in this state, self-esteem becomes a fragile construct.

Marcus Aurelius warned us about this—to love ourselves, but not blindly seek external approval. And yet, without realizing it, we’ve become digital slaves, willingly handing over our emotional freedom to apps designed to manipulate us

Distraction is Deadly—Literally

One reason I ride so early is for safety. Even with bright vests, a headlight, and a helmet, I fear something far more dangerous than darkness: distracted drivers.

Studies show that when a person is looking at their phone while driving, their attention on the road can drop by as much as 80%. Some estimates are even worse—only 10% of cognitive focus may be on driving.

With just a single notification—perhaps a social media comment—eyes leave the road, hands fumble, and lives are put at risk.

In those moments, no amount of visibility gear can protect a cyclist.

Imagine someone gets a negative comment online while driving. The temptation to read or respond is high. Their emotional state is triggered. And the next thing they see—or don’t see—is a cyclist.

This isn’t just dangerous. It’s tragic. It’s a modern epidemic—digital distraction bleeding into real-world consequences.

A Message to Parents

I say this not just as a doctor or a cyclist, but as someone deeply concerned for the future:
If we don’t model digital discipline ourselves, we cannot expect our children to do it.
Too often, I see families at restaurants where every member is staring at a screen. I see parents on their phones while their kids try to talk.
We are creating a generation that doesn't know how to sit with discomfort, boredom, or solitude.
So let us take inspiration from Marcus Aurelius. Let us:
Value inner peace over outer praise
Choose presence over performance
Demonstrate restraint in a world that rewards distraction

The Road Forward

Every morning ride reminds me: freedom is not just political or physical—it is internal.
It’s the power to be alone and not feel lonely.
To think deeply without needing to share immediately.
To be seen less, and yet feel more fulfilled.
I invite you to rediscover that part of yourself. Perhaps on a bike. Perhaps in a journal.
Or maybe just by putting your phone away for 10 minutes and listening to your own thoughts.
“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”
— Marcus Aurelius
Let’s start choosing better thoughts.