Memento Mori: Living on 'Borrowed' Time

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Apart from carrying the hopes of new beginnings and better days ahead, New Years also have embedded within their depths the subtle yet powerful message of our mortality. The constant ebbing and flowing of days bear the latin tidings "Memento Mori" which translates "remember you must die."

Of course most of us approach the subject of our death with foreboding. We think that thoughts on the brevity of our lives and the inevitability of our death to be too dark and dull, and can only yield frustrations and attract 'negative energy' around us. 

However, I'm coming to understand that thoughts on our mortality are like the proverbial "apple a day" that keeps the doctor away. A healthy consciousness of our mortality helps to keep us on the straight and narrow path of purpose. It equips us with the wisdom to chip away at the vain phantoms and excesses that plague our existence, until all is that is left is a purposeful, meaningful and eternal existence. 

It helps us to understand the preciousness of time, and thereby creating a consciousness within us to use this invaluable resource to create an eternal legacy. An eternal legacy that transcends the womb of time within which it was created. What a wondrous thought! 

Lastly, it helps us to live life and enjoy it's blessings to the fullest. Oftentimes we take for granted and postpone the enjoyment of the blessings of life such as family, nature, health because we think that we have forever to enjoy them. While we may have eternal life, yet our time on this side of heaven is time bound. Therefore, enjoy the beauty, texture and fragrance of that little flower more. Take a deeper breathe of that fresh country air and allow it to saturate your lungs with the wonder of life. Laugh with your brothers and sisters more instead of always fighting with them. Appreciate your parents more. Check up on your true friends more. Invest in and enjoy your talents more... 

Then prepare for your eternal home more. (If you know, you know)

Psalm 90:12
[12]So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom.


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