Memento Mori
Welcome to my new site “Living to Die.” I have been thinking about and working on getting this started for months. Some recent health news was the final push to get going. It seems appropriate to start this with a thought I have been journaling about for the last three years. Let’s discuss “memento mori.”
One of my greatest joys my entire life has been reading. I read and have read many different topics and disciplines. One of my favorites would be any text based on different philosophies. One of those that has been very helpful for me has been stoic philosophy, or “Stoicism.”A very simple idea around stoicism is that happiness is found more internally, accepting things as they are and not allowing yourself to be controlled by ones desire for pleasure, stuff, status etc. It has helped me better understand that I am responsible for my life and I can live in every moment with joy based on my mindset not my current situation.
The first time I read about the term “memento mori” it jumped off the page at me. The idea around this term is “everyone dies, you could leave this life right now.” I have always valued the duality meaning of an idea or concept. Here is one that makes a lot of sense to me and to some sounds horrible. When you are given a birth certificate it is also a death certificate. Now to some that may sound negative, a downer what ever, but to me it sounds like a truth. Each of you reading this will one day die. Thats not neccecarily sad, tragic or a big downer, it’s simply true. The whole idea of “memento mori” is not to be a bummer, it is a great reminder to “LIVE!!”
This is at the heart of what I want my writing and eventual podcast to be, a reminder and encouragement for each of us to go out today and live the best life we can. All you and I have is today. How you go out and live today will greatly impact you and all those around you that you love and value. As a counselor I work with people who deal with a lot of depression. Depression is typically focused on the past. I also work with people who deal with a lot of anxiety. Anxiety is typically focused on the future. For them, myself and others I am always trying to get them to live more in the “present.” Today we each have some control, influence and a voice. How I live today will impact my past and my future. Memento mori reminds me to go live today well! That is all I have control of, and it matters.
I recently found out that I have a brain tumor. If you notice anything that is off on my writing, grammar etc, blame it on my brain tumor:) What I know today is this brain tumor will eventually take my life. I have some more testing this week and very soon will have surgery to remove what can safely be removed. I will keep you updated through this blog but that is not really the main purpose of this in any way. The main purpose is to remind myself and you to go live your life today. That may be all you or I have and how we live today matters. For years I have focused on the mind, body and spirit. My writing and podcast will focus on these different areas. My original idea was to call this “better man” that is still at the heart of this is how to encourage you and myself to go out today and be a better human.
Memento Mori, you to will die, so go out today and “LIVE WELL.”