the other memento mori
The typical way to practice Memento Mori is on ourselves: To remind ourselves of our own mortality — our uncontrollably yet certainly approaching death.
- What if I knew I only had [insert time] to live?
- What if I would suddenly die [insert time]?
- Would that change my actions or priorities? (How?)
Being aware of our own mortality can be incredibly useful for keeping us grounded and our priorities in check. At the same time, living life "like it's your last day" can often work against our deepest values, making it counter-productive in practice.
Perhaps it could be more practical and useful with a slight twist:
Practicing it on others.
- What if [insert person] only had [insert time] to live?
- What if [insert person] would suddenly die [insert time]?
- Would that change my actions or priorities? (How?)
And how would that make me feel?
This might be a more practical tool for evaluating your relationships: what they really mean to you and how you're showing up for them.
Most importantly, it exposes your risk for regretting something left unsaid or undone.
Because when we die, others live on — never knowing all the things, feelings, or ideas that died with us.
When they die, we live on.
And we will know.
Don't worry about dying, but being the one who lives on.