Mortality can inspire you to live your best life
Nobody likes to think about dying; we all long for immortality. But the truth is that human life is temporary and fleeting.
All of us will die one day. Though many people have spent incredible amounts of time trying to escape death, no one has been able to yet. Death is there, whether we like it or not.
We can do one of two things in light of our inevitable mortality. We can pretend it’s a myth and cling to the illusion that our time on Earth is unlimited, or we can face this reality and convert our awareness of death into something positive and proactive.
Marcus Aurelius frequently emphasizes the impermanence of life. In his meditations, he reminds himself of all the great men before him who came and went. He thought of all the important things they had achieved, and how they met their demise.
The Stoics believe learning how to die is the key to living well. To live a good life devoid of fear of the unknown, start with the thought of your mortality. Accept and embrace the reality and inevitability of death; this will allow you to move forward unburdened.
⚡️The more you contemplate the temporary nature of life, the less you cling to it, and the less you fear death.
Endings give meaning to beginnings and bring a sense of culmination. Since everything is fleeting, it’s essential to be mindful of how we choose to spend our time — whether in alignment with our passions or squandered in wasteful pursuits. The only moment you own is now. There is no guarantee for better times in the future, so we must constantly check that our present moment aligns with our wishes and values. Because what can matter more?
The phrase for this reminder of death is “Memento Mori,” which translates to “Remember that you will die.” As you live in awareness of your mortality, you will gain a sense of proportion and become able to separate what is insignificant from what is truly important. Knowing your days are numbered gives you a sense of urgency and purpose. You’ll approach each day with gratitude and make the most of every moment.