Memento mori is a Latin phrase that interprets actually to “thou shalt bear in mind to die” or, extra loosely, to “bear in mind you’ll die.”
Since antiquity, the mantra has served as a reminder of the fleetingness of life and the inevitability of demise — a immediate to benefit from day-after-day.
Usually accompanied by photos of bones, skulls, coffins, and clocks, the trope feels very cool, very badass.
But, reality be instructed, it really works lots higher in concept than it does in apply.
Our personal demise is a really tough factor to know. And whereas it could possibly be lurking round each nook, we all know that, statistically, it lies a number of a long time out. Taken collectively, our demise is just too summary and too far off to affect our day-to-day habits.
Thankfully, there are concrete deaths taking place throughout us that happen on a extra imminent timeline. Issues the place we all know it’s, or could possibly be, the final time we do one thing.
The final time you’ll return to high school.
The final time you’ll hug a residing grandparent.
The final time you’ll be a twenty-something.
The final time you’ll decide up your youngster.
The final time you’ll rejoice Christmas with children who consider in Santa.
The final time you’ll hang around with a soon-to-be shifting buddy.
The final time (this yr) you’ll soak within the fall foliage earlier than the bushes go naked.
Adopting a carpe diem mind-set is much less about considering the truth that you’re passing away, and extra about reminding your self that every little thing else is, too.
If thou, oh man, would actually suck the marrow out of day-after-day, then bear in mind, keep in mind that IT — this season, that age, these circumstances — will die.
