The complete Latin phrase is “Memento Mori, Memento Vivere,” and it weaves together the duality of human existence: the inevitability of death and the necessity of living life to its fullest.
Many people only know the first part of the phrase, which translates to “Remember, you must die,” and not the other half, which says, “Remember to live.”
Death is a sensitive topic for a lot of people.
For some, it’s scary to talk or even think about it.
For others, it brings back terrible memories.
However it is you view death, your perspective is probably valid.
It can be scary. It can bring back bad memories. It can be cruel.
But the one thing that death definitely is, is inevitable.
We are all going to die one day.
All men must die.
Or, as the Braavosi say—
We only live once.
That’s the truth.
I know there are beliefs about reincarnation and second lives and all that, but plain and simple, we only get one life.
Even the Bible says, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die…”
So if we’re dying once, it means that we’re living once.
That simply means that we must take full advantage of this one life that we get.
I know it might sound dark, even morbid, but death has a way of reminding us how precious life is.
Once it’s lost, it can’t be gotten back.
And it’s something I think many people forget.
We get caught up in the repetition of our daily life.
The routines, the responsibilities, the hustle.
We plan for tomorrow, next month, and the years to come, and we can sometimes forget about the most important moment of our life, the present.
We forget that life is unpredictable and that everything could change in an instant.
It’s a scary thought, but I’m not trying to scare you.
It’s my hope that you and I, and the people we care about, live long and memorable lives. Amen.
I’m just saying that if we, even in the tiniest depths of our subconscious, acknowledge the inevitable end of our lives, then maybe we’ll stop taking our moments for granted.
We’ll be reminded that our time is limited.
Just one chance. That’s all you and I get.
I need you to stop being so scared and start living.
I need you to make the most of every opportunity and fully appreciate the things you have.
I need you to find more gratitude in the “simple things” that you often overlook.
I need you to stop complaining so much.
I need you to put down that phone and do something worthwhile.
I need you to stop consuming so much and start creating.
I need you to stop living your life based on the preconceived notions of other people and start forging your path.
I need you to stop caring about “what people will say.”
I need you to start living with the consciousness that you have a purpose for being here.
I need you to remember that your time is finite, and you can’t afford to waste it.
I need you to chase after the things that matter.
I need you to say yes to the things that excite you and no to the things that drain you.
I need you to love deeper, to laugh harder, and to embrace the unknown with less hesitation.
I need you to remember that you will die, so that you’ll also remember to live.
You might say, “But we’re a product of our thoughts, so we shouldn’t think too much about death.”
I agree.
This is my perspective:
Let’s remain aware of the fact that we have just one life to live, not so that we can live in constant fear of the end, but so that we can make the most of the beginning, the middle, and every single second in between.
This awareness is the reason people travel more, love intentionally, chase their most ridiculous dreams, and strive to fulfil their purpose.
They’ve decided to maximise the few years they get to spend on Earth, regardless of the risks they have to take or the potential pain they could suffer.
And that is admirable
Someone once said: Today is a gift, and that’s why it’s called the present.
The pain of regret is much worse than the pain of failure.
Or embarrassment. Or shame. Or insecurity.
Or whatever it is that is holding you back from doing the things you know you should do.
The things you want to do.
You don’t want to reflect on life in 30, 40 years with only “What if…” questions to show for it:
What if I had taken that course?
What if I had asked her out?
What if I had applied for that job?
What if I didn’t waste so much time scrolling?
What if I did this? What if I did that?
It’s a scary reality.
At least for me.
One of my biggest fears is to have lived a meaningless life after I die. To just come and go, with no impact, with no mark, with no substance.
I don’t want to be on my deathbed and be filled with regrets, unfulfilled dreams, and forgotten aspirations.
Since I get just one chance, why should my life be average and ordinary like other billions of lives that have been lived?
No, that can’t be right.
Then again, the future should not be our concern.
And since it’s simply a result of the actions we take today, we need to be focused on the present.
Live in the moment.
A quote by Lao Tzu says:
“If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.”
There’s no better time to live than now.
Don’t worry about what has happened or what is to come.
Focus on what you can do now.
Pursue What Matters
It’s so easy to get caught in things that don’t serve us: work we don’t love, relationships that drain us, habits that are slowly killing us.
There’s no time for that.
All the choices you make and the things you focus on must align with what really brings you joy, peace, and fulfilment.
Embrace the Small Moments
Life is made up of tiny moments; appreciate each of them.
The cold wind at night. The message notification from that person you like. Watching your favourite show for the 100th time.
Enjoy every single one of them.
Let Go of Fear
You can disagree with me, but fear lives only in the mind.
It doesn’t really exist.
The moment you confront it is the moment it disappears.
Don’t be afraid to take chances.
Don’t let fear hold you back from experiencing the crazy things that life can offer.
Post that video. Audition for that role. Tell your parents you’d like to leave the house more often.
Endless possibilities are on the other side of the things that make you afraid.
Live With Gratitude
Every morning that you wake up, thank God.
Life is painfully fleeting, so be grateful when you get another chance to see a new day.
We can’t give life and we can’t make life.
So, the least we can do is to say “thank you” to the One that gives life.
I have a question for you.
I want you to think deeply before you answer the poll below.
Assume you’re 20 years old and your life is just about to begin.
You have a blank slate of choices to make, and the options before you are unlimited.
Would you rather live:
Till 40 years, but your life is purposeful and meaningful.
Till 80 years, but your life is average with nothing too special about it.
For me, as much as I hope and pray to live long, I know that in the end, what matters is not how long we live but how well we live.
Honestly, there’s nothing wrong with wanting a simple, low-key life.
Although, I believe we’re all created for greatness, one way or another.
You don’t have to postpone your being happy “till I’m rich” or “when I get this or that.”
You can find it all around you.
Stop being a passive observer in your own life; start being an active participant.
You’re running out of time.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die...”
- Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
I hope this post isn’t too gloomy.
I’d love to hear your thoughts…
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Thanks for this Ebun, needed this. We do only live once so why not actually spend more of that time living in the present…
Oh yes, I remember the imagine you are 20 part...I am 20😂 And I would rather live a short impactful life than a long average live. Tbh, I sometimes fear living so long, what am I doing on planet earth with an unwinding 365 day cycle for 80 plus years? I agree this view is myopic, and would hope clarity does not come at a cost.
The summary of the matter is,
Ebun,
You write beautifully.
Period.