Memento Mori
Standing next to this 700+ year old ancient Banyan tree vividly puts into perspective the shortness of life. The numerous generations of humans that have come and gone, while this tree has withstood the test of time, serve as a powerful reminder of our own mortality.
“We are always getting ready to live, but never living.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
We live as if this life is eternal. We defer our obligations to address them another time — the “later” and “tomorrow” that will happen in the abstract future. The “one day” rationale frequently prevents us from actualizing our ideas by failing to collapse theoretical possibilities into a tangible outcome. I myself thrive off the concept of limitless potential ahead of me, at times to my own detriment from prolonged deliberation and decision paralysis.
The uncomfortable truth is that we all die. “Memento mori” in Latin.
“Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now, take what’s left and live it properly.” — Marcus Aurelius
Relative to death, what we perceive as major problems may seem less important. Our attachments to material objects are also put into question. Indeed, research suggests that experiential purchases tend to make us happier than materialistic ones.
So then, how do we make the most of the remaining limited time on planet Earth? What is left that is significant? While there are no definitive answers, the top regrets of the dying as collected by nurse Bronnie Ware may offer macro guidance:
1. “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”
2. “I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.”
3. “I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.”
4. “I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.”
5. “I wish I had let myself be happier.”
This Banyan tree will remain long after we have inhabited and departed this world.
Reminding ourselves of our own mortality (“memento mori”) may in effect act as a rousing call to action of carpe diem to pursue our convictions sooner rather than later.
Perhaps it’s also a realization to treat others with more humility, kindness, compassion, and softness as every single one of us is navigating these branches of life. 🌳
“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Almost everything–all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure–these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” ― Steve Jobs
