“Do you then ponder how the supreme of human evils, the surest mark of the base and cowardly, is not death, but the fear of death?” ~ Epictetus

Leave it to the Ancient Greek Stoic Philosophers to use death to inspire. Epictetus continued that thought by begging his students to “discipline yourself against such fear, direct all your thinking, exercises, and reading this way — and you will know the only path to human freedom.” 

This type of thinking by the Stoics was called “Memento Mori” or “Remember you must die.” It was never meant to be morbid—actually just the opposite. It was meant to galvanize life, and to create priority and meaning. They treated each day as a precious gift, and reminded themselves constantly to not waste any time on the trivial and vain.

Unless you know something I don’t know, we only get one shot at this thing called life. What do you want to accomplish? What must get done? With whom? When? How? Where? Why? “Memento Mori,” to me, means do not waste another minute! Be brave. Take the first step…or maybe the first 10 steps. Winner takes all—and you’re the winner. Let’s GO! We got this! And thank you, Epictetus, we needed that kick in the pants!

With Gratitude,
Beth