When I was 17, I stumbled upon a quote that profoundly impacted me: “If you live each day as if it were your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” This simple yet powerful idea has guided me for over three decades. Each morning, I look in the mirror and ask myself, “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” If the answer is “no” for too many consecutive days, I know it’s time to make a change.
Understanding that our time is limited can be a powerful motivator in making significant life decisions. When we acknowledge our mortality, many of the things that usually weigh us down—like societal expectations, pride, or the fear of failure—become less significant. What remains is what truly matters. Realizing that life is finite helps us avoid the trap of thinking we have something to lose. In reality, we are already vulnerable, so why not pursue what genuinely fulfills us?
It’s natural to resist the idea of life’s end. Even those who believe in a better afterlife are often reluctant to leave this world. However, the end is a universal destination. No one can escape it, and perhaps that’s for the best. The end serves as life’s ultimate change agent, clearing out the old to make way for the new. Right now, you are the new, but in the not-so-distant future, someone else will take your place.
By embracing the reality of our mortality, we can live more purposefully. This perspective encourages us to focus on what truly matters and to follow our hearts. It reminds us that life is precious and that we should make the most of every moment. So, ask yourself each day if you’re doing what you truly want to do. If not, consider what changes you can make to align your daily actions with your deepest desires.
In conclusion, remembering that life is temporary can be a powerful tool for living a meaningful life. It helps us prioritize what is important and encourages us to live authentically. Embrace this mindset, and let it guide you toward a life filled with purpose and fulfillment.
Take some time each day to write in a journal. Reflect on the question, “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” Document your thoughts and feelings, and consider what changes you might need to make to align your life with your true desires.
Participate in a group discussion with your peers about the concept of mortality and its impact on decision-making. Share personal experiences and insights, and explore how acknowledging life’s impermanence can influence your choices and priorities.
Create a vision board that represents your goals and aspirations. Use images and words that resonate with your idea of a meaningful life. Display it in a place where you can see it daily, serving as a reminder to focus on what truly matters to you.
Engage in a mindfulness meditation session focused on embracing impermanence. Use guided meditations to help you become more comfortable with the idea of life’s transience and to cultivate a sense of peace and acceptance.
Conduct a life audit by evaluating different areas of your life, such as career, relationships, and personal growth. Identify areas where you are not fully satisfied and brainstorm actionable steps to bring more purpose and fulfillment into your daily routine.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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[Music] When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like, “If you live each day as if it were your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I’ve looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself, “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” Whenever the answer has been no for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.
Remembering that I’ll be gone someday is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Almost everything—external expectations, pride, fear of embarrassment or failure—these things just fall away in the face of mortality, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to face the end is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already vulnerable; there is no reason not to follow your heart.
No one wants to face the end, even people who want to go to a better place don’t want to leave this life to get there. Yet, the end is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it, and that is as it should be because the end is very likely the single best invention of life. It’s life’s change agent; it clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now, the new is you, but someday, not too long from
Mortality – The state of being subject to death, often explored in philosophy as a fundamental aspect of the human condition. – In existential philosophy, the awareness of one’s own mortality is considered a driving force behind the search for meaning in life.
Decision-making – The cognitive process of selecting a course of action from among multiple alternatives, often studied in psychology to understand human behavior. – The study of decision-making processes can reveal how individuals weigh risks and benefits when faced with ethical dilemmas.
Purpose – The reason for which something is done or created, or for which something exists, often discussed in philosophical contexts regarding human existence. – Philosophers like Aristotle have debated whether the purpose of life is to achieve eudaimonia, or a state of flourishing.
Change – The process through which something becomes different, a central theme in both philosophical discourse and psychological adaptation. – Heraclitus famously posited that change is the only constant in life, emphasizing the fluid nature of existence.
Vulnerability – The quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally, often explored in psychological studies of human relationships. – Embracing vulnerability can lead to deeper connections and understanding in interpersonal relationships, according to contemporary psychological theories.
Authenticity – The degree to which one is true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character, despite external pressures, a concept widely discussed in existential philosophy. – Sartre argued that living authentically involves acknowledging one’s freedom and responsibility in shaping one’s own life.
Fulfillment – A feeling of satisfaction or happiness as a result of fully developing one’s abilities or character, often considered a goal in both philosophical and psychological contexts. – The pursuit of fulfillment is central to humanistic psychology, which emphasizes personal growth and self-actualization.
Expectations – Beliefs about what will happen in the future, often influencing behavior and decision-making, and a topic of interest in both philosophy and psychology. – Managing expectations is crucial in Stoic philosophy, which teaches that peace of mind comes from aligning desires with reality.
Desires – A strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen, frequently analyzed in philosophical discussions on human motivation. – In Buddhist philosophy, the cessation of desires is seen as a path to achieving enlightenment and overcoming suffering.
Impermanence – The philosophical concept that all things are transient and subject to change, a fundamental principle in many Eastern philosophies. – The concept of impermanence is central to Buddhist teachings, which emphasize the importance of accepting the transient nature of life.
