Oftentimes, the negative sides of life can be a source of motivation and positivity. This is true for the inevitable certainty of death. While the idea may seem paradoxical, accepting the reality of death can help improve your life.
The opposite of life, death may be the only and most certain thing about living (unless you’re American, then you can add “taxes” to the list!). It will come and take away all, from the rich to poor, good to bad, and wise to ignorant. If you’re looking to improve your life and live it to the fullest, this harsh truth can help you out. It can make you more mindful of your mortality and uncertainty of life.
People have been using the idea of death to reflect on life and live it to the fullest throughout human history. It is a practice that has gone by many names before becoming the concept of Memento Mori.
What is Memento Mori?
Marcus Aurelius is perhaps the most famous Stoic Philosopher
The concept traces back thousands of years but only became popular by the philosophy of the Stoics during the 3rd Century BC. The literal meaning of Memento Mori translates to “Remember you must die.”
The concept was popular among Roman leaders and military generals who would return home after victoriously battling against enemies. Their return was celebrated through the display of exotic animals and plants from the territory they conquered while music was played throughout the streets.
As he returned, an aide repeatedly whispered the phrase “Remember you are mortal” in the ear of the general. This was a reminder that although he won a battle and returned home safe, he would see death regardless.
Meaning
While we may not be returning from battles and celebrating a triumphs, Memento Mori holds much importance in our lives as well. It can help us remember not to soar too high with inflated egos. Meanwhile, it also acts as an antidote to wastefulness, busyness, and stress.
On the surface, it only means that you must eventually die. However, the meaning extends far beyond that. It is also a reminder that everyone else around us will leave the world, too, including our family, friends, and people we may interact with on the way.
The truth of death can, therefore, help you find joy, appreciation, and love and gratitude in everyday things. This allows us to make better choices in life and career, be kinder and give our best.
Stoicism’s Contemplation of Death
It was the Stoics that brought the idea of Memento Mori to life (ironically, hehe). For instance, the most famous Stoic Marcus Aurelius was one of the most powerful men on earth during his time. The emperor’s journal entries strictly followed the concept of Memento Mori and other Stoic concepts, which is what made him an effective and powerful leader.
Another Stoic, Seneca, also made his contributions to the popularization of Memento Mori. In his moral letters to Lucilius, he mentioned that we should prepare our minds as if we’re at the very end of life. Meanwhile, Epictetus very frequently reminded his students of their mortality.
How Memento Mori Improves Your Life
Good news! You don’t have to be in a Zombie Apocalypse to apply and benefit from the concept of Memento Mori
As it turns out, you don’t actually need to see death in the face to want to live your life without regrets. In fact, you only need to create a habit of revisiting the concept of Memento Mori each day. Keep reminding yourself that death will come, and you can’t avoid it. Doing so can do wonders in your life as it changes your perspective toward more meaningful and worthwhile pursuits. Here are a few benefits of Memento Mori.
Creates Urgency
It reminds you that you only have a limited amount of time on the planet, you can’t liver forever and you don’t get another quarter when you die. Memento Mori is a great way of creating urgency to do things that you would later regret missing out on.
This suggests that you shouldn’t wait for a time that would feel right as you are always on a deadline. You might meet death before your goals are realized (like travel in retirement).
Helps You Focus on What’s Important
Ryan Holiday has helped Stoicism to go mainstream by writing best-selling books on the subject.
Ryan Holiday, the author of the book The Obstacle is the Way, bluntly reminds us that a car can hit us in an intersection while we’re on the road and drive our teeth back into our skull. In his words, “That’s it. It will be over.”
You may think that the statement promotes pessimism, but it is really just creating awareness of death. Memento Mori can help us focus on what is really important to us so as to not leave the world with regrets. It encourages you to rather do what you would if you knew you were going to die the next minute.
Gives You Liberty
When you think about Memento Mori, you don’t only realize the reality of death but also remember that you are free at the same time. You are mortal and have more autonomy than you think, so you might as well live your life like it.
While our mortality should not be an excuse to live a bad life, it should encourage us to liberate ourselves from fear and guilt. So you might not be able to control when death arrives, but you can control how you live your life.
Wrap-Up
Memento Mori is a centuries-old concept that was popularized by the Stoic philosophers. The Latin phrase translates to “Remember you will die,” which reminds us to live to our fullest and leave no regrets. You can use it to create urgency in your life, focus on the essentials and live freely. This seemingly pessimistic view can ironically help you cultivate more optimism into your life.
Paul Strobl, MBA, CPC
Owner of Confide Coaching, LLC
Paul is a Master Life Coach for GenX and GenY executives and business owners. Originally from Houston, Texas, he has been location independent for most of his adult life. He currently resides in the Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria near the Greek border with his brilliant wife, 13-year-old stepson (officially adopted in 2021!) and a Posavac Hound rescue.
