There are some phrases I think we attach great meaning to in our lives. And there are certain phrases that we come across that we really like and they’re always in the back of our minds. One of them for me is, “This too shall pass”.
So if I’m having a bad day or something isn’t going the way I want it to, or indeed it’s actually an unpleasant situation, “This too shall pass” is a phrase that brings me great comfort.
Another phrase that I have recently come to understand better is ‘Memento Mori’.
I first heard that phrase as the title of an album by a US group, but more recently I have come across it again through the idea of Stoicism – a branch of philosophy.
And although there are seemingly different translations out there, from what I can work out the actual translation Memento Mori is, “Remember, you must die”.
That’s pretty sobering; that can stop you in your tracks, but I think there – again – can be some comfort to derive from this.
A couple of months ago I asked the question that if I were to give you an envelope, and inside was the date of your death – knowing that – would you open it?
I think Memento Mori is just an extension of that idea because…you will die; we all die. And knowing that, the question is: does that change how you choose to live?
It’s actually a massive question and of course, there are no right or wrong answers, and just what is true for you.
But Memento Mori; “Remember that you must die”.
How do you choose to live?
Until next time, take care.
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