The Halfway Mark: Life, 90 Years, and Why I’m Not Panicking

If I assume I’ll live to 90, I’m officially at the halfway mark!

While I was filling out my Memento Mori calendar, I glanced down at the bottom… and realized I’ve actually already crossed it. But surprisingly, I didn’t feel a jolt of shock. Instead, it made me feel calm—ready to make the absolute most of whatever is left.

So, I decided to write a little something about it.

Memento Mori — The Ultimate Wake-up Call

Literally translated from Latin, it means “remember that you will die.” That might sound morbid to some, but for the Stoics, it was a high-performance tool for living better.

It’s not about brooding over death. It’s about shaking yourself awake to see what actually matters—and what trivial nonsense you should stop wasting your energy on.

Perspectives from the “Heavy Hitters”

When I dive into Stoic writings, I always see a pattern from the greats:

• Marcus Aurelius: The Roman Emperor who constantly reminded himself in his Meditations that no matter your status, everyone ends up in the same place. So why cling to ego, status, or small grudges?
• Seneca: He taught the concept of “Urgency.” He argued that we treat life as if we have an infinite supply of it. Contemplating mortality forces us to live each day with full presence.
• Epictetus: Simple but powerful. He believed death is outside our control, so fearing it is irrational. The only thing we do control is how we respond to its inevitability.

Turning Philosophy into Action

I don’t just think about this; I apply it to my daily flow:

1. Daily Reflection: Briefly meditating on the fact that today could be my last (not for panic, but for gratitude).
2. Perspective Checks: When I’m stressed or overwhelmed by a task, I ask: “Will this matter if I was dying tomorrow?” Usually, the answer is a hard “no.”
3. Amor Fati: Not just accepting death, but embracing it as a natural, necessary part of the universe.

The “Boom” Moment: From Thought to Execution

The beauty of Memento Mori is the freedom it gives you.

Once you stop fearing the end, you stop the desperate grasping for approval or wealth. You start doing meaningful work now, loving people now, and living without endlessly deferring life.

As Marcus Aurelius put it: “You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.”

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Coming Soon…

I’ve been so deep into this philosophy lately that I decided to build something to help everyone “remember death” in a sleek, meaningful way. My Memento Mori app is almost ready for prime time.

Get ready for a reality check that will bring a new level of calm to your life… coming very soon.

Stay in the loop.

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