Happy new year!

Memento Mori is a Latin phrase, often associated with Stoicism, which translates to “remember you must die.”

Well happy new year to you too, Brian! But why exactly do I want to spend any of it thinking about the fact that I’m going to die someday???

Well nobody wants to, of course. It’s not a pleasant topic to consider or talk about. 

However, it’s only through embracing the inevitability of death that we can make sure our remaining time, attention, and energy is focused on who and what really matters.

For example, try asking yourself the following question:

Is my time, money, and energy aligned with what matters most to me?

Now, keeping Memento Mori top of mind, ask the question again with one small change:

Is my limited time, money, and energy aligned with what matters most to me?

Notice how quickly things that previously seemed important but not urgent suddenly become both important and urgent?

Unfortunately, the fact that our lives are finite is a reality we can’t change. But what we can do is use that certainty to act with more urgency on what really matters. 

I don’t know of any better way to start off a new year than committing to living a more intentional and authentic life – no matter how short or long that life might end up being.

Memento Mori.