Memento mori is a Greek Stoic saying which means ‘remember that you too will die’. It reminds us of our mortality. Although it sounds harsh – there is no truth that can be farther from this. The moment you realise that you are not going to live a glorious life forever, you become humble.
It is a good idea to be aware of the fact that we have limited time on this earth. Sometimes, forcing yourself to think this way makes you realise what’s most important to you. It also reminds you that things don’t always remain as they are forever.
This pandemic has also made us think about the most important things we need to live a meaningful life.
A thought experiment imagining that you have only one year to live can help to focus on things that are most important to you. And even bring about a change in your habits and personality.
A year can do wonders in bringing about change in your life if you set your mind to it. People often underestimate what they can do in a year and overestimate what they can do in a day.
We plan to finish too many things in one day and get burnt out and give up. But give yourself a year and the habit stays. Even if you goof it up one day, you can move on without beating yourself up the next day.
So what’s on your bucket list? If you don’t have one already, make a list of 2 or 3 things that you always wanted to do. What is stopping you from achieving it? What can you do on a daily basis for one year to make that come true? Save money? Go for a walk? Write everyday? Convert them into a daily habit which will help you to tick it off. And start working on them today. What are you waiting for?
Bell The Mind 