'Memento Mori Ergo Carpe Diem'
The Power and Poignancy of Embracing Life's Transience
“He who postpones the hour of living is like the rustic who waits for the river to run out before he crosses.” — Horace
Ah, “This Is Us,” the emotional rollercoaster that has me sobbing and questioning my life choices. It’s a TV series that excels at revealing the beauty and pitifulness of ordinary moments, reminding us that everyday experiences often make up the tapestry of our lives.
The Latin phrase “Carpe Diem,” or “seize the day,” found a place in its dialogue. This phrase, thrown into the melting pot of raw emotions and heartfelt narratives, nudges us to contemplate our lives.
Are we spectators or active participants in our stories?
Are we seizing our days, or are we allowing them to slip through our fingers, lost in the pursuit of ‘someday’ or ‘tomorrow’?
A Wake-Up Call
“Memento Mori Ergo Carpe Diem” amplifies this call to action by adding an existential flavor.
It tells us that not only should we seize the day, but we should do so because our time here is finite. Our days are numbered, and each is a unique gift we should cherish and use to the fullest.
It melds two time-honored Latin phrases: “Memento Mori” and “Carpe Diem.” The former translates to “remember that you will die,” a sad yet potent reminder of the inevitability of death. The latter means “seize the day,” a rallying cry to embrace the present moment and make the most of it.
This phrase has gained a resurgence recently, and it’s no wonder why. With the rise of technologies that bring us closer to each other yet paradoxically leave many of us feeling disconnected, a reminder to seize the day and live life resonates.
It is a wake-up call to live authentically and meaningfully, urging us to remember our mortality, not to induce fear, but to inspire us to live with intention.
It’s a call not to sweat the small stuff, value experiences over possessions, and focus on what matters.
In our hyper-connected world, where work, social media, and many distractions compete for our attention, “Memento Mori Ergo Carpe Diem” offers a refreshing perspective.
I write this reminder so we don’t get lost in the constant noise but focus on experiences that enrich our lives.
For some, this might mean pursuing a passion project, spending quality time with loved ones, or enjoying a beautiful sunset. For others, it might mean taking a leap of faith, changing careers, or embarking on a thrilling adventure.
Applying it to our life isn’t about living each day as if it’s your last, in a frantic rush to cram in as many experiences as possible. Instead, it’s about embracing the transient nature of life and finding joy and fulfillment in the everyday moments. Living consciously, aware of our mortality, helps us make more meaningful choices.
So, as you navigate the hustle and bustle of your life, remember: Memento Mori Ergo Carpe Diem.
Life is fleeting, so seize the day, not by attempting to do everything at once, but by immersing yourself in the things that matter to you. In the end, it’s these moments that we’ll remember and cherish.
Musing on our mortality may not seem like a great recipe for humor or inspiration. This blend of wit and wisdom makes it a timeless phrase.
“When it’s time to die, let us not discover that we have never lived.” — Henry David Thoreau
Memento Mori’s Roman Roots
Like a precocious child with a rather morbid fascination, the Romans gifted us this phrase: “Remember you will die.”
This reminder wasn’t an exercise in the gloom but an ancient reality check.
When Roman generals would return from victorious battles, an enslaved person was tasked with whispering “Memento Mori” in their ears during their triumphal parade. This served as a reminder of their mortality, in case they started to believe they were more god than man in their victorious fervor.
Today, it would be a buzzkill, but back then, it was a stark assertion of humility and impermanence.
Carpe Diem and the Art of Living
“Carpe Diem” is also credited to the Roman poet Horace; it translates as “seize the day.” It was an appeal to live in the present, to grab life by the horns and make the most of it now.
Unlike its sober sibling “Memento Mori,” “Carpe Diem” was like the life of the party, encouraging one to enjoy life’s pleasures in the present moment.
Fusing these two phrases into “Memento Mori Ergo Carpe Diem” (Remember you will die, thus seize the day) might seem like an unlikely pairing, like mixing caviar and cheese doodles. But this juxtaposition of sobriety and exuberance, of mortality and life’s vibrancy, gives the phrase its profundity and spice.
The phrase was not used together in antiquity. This melding has come in more modern times as a beautiful blend of two philosophical standpoints from the same cultural roots. Both components of the phrase offer deep insight into the human condition.
“Memento Mori” taps into our shared fate — death, the great equalizer. It encourages humility, prompts introspection, and fosters resilience in facing life’s inevitable end.
“Carpe Diem,” on the other hand, celebrates life’s immediacy and compels us to live and be present in each moment.
Together, they give us “Memento Mori Ergo Carpe Diem” — a phrase that intertwines life and death in a dialectic dance, inspiring us to live deeply, boldly, and authentically.
So, as we navigate through the comedy of errors that life can sometimes be, we would do well to remember the wisdom of “Memento Mori Ergo Carpe Diem.”
Life is Too Important to be Taken Seriously
“Seizing the day” and “living life to its fullest” are phrases we’ve heard countless times. But what do they mean?
Do they need us to skydive off planes, climb the highest mountains, or attend every party in town?
Not necessarily, unless that’s what resonates with you.
Living life to the fullest is less about chasing adrenaline and more about embracing authenticity. It’s about aligning your actions with your values, doing things that bring you joy, and allowing yourself to live in alignment with who you are. It’s about finding fulfillment in the journey rather than obsessing over the destination.
Seizing the day is about engaging with the present moment. It’s about not allowing the past to dictate your future or letting the future steal your present. Instead, it’s about being here, being now, and participating in life’s experiences as they unfold.
This might mean savoring your morning coffee, watching the sunrise, laughing with friends, or reading a good book. It might mean working on a passion project or helping someone in need. It could involve exploring new places, meeting new people, or pursuing a lifelong dream.
Remember, seizing the day isn’t a grand gesture or a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s about the small moments that make up our lives. It’s about being mindful, present, and appreciating the beauty of the ordinary.
“Death destroys a man: the idea of death saves him.” — E.M Forster
Seizing The Day
It begins with consciousness. Being aware of our mortal nature, as echoed in the phrase “Memento Mori,” can inspire us to appreciate the value of each moment.
With the acknowledgment of our mortality, every day becomes precious, every moment an opportunity for joy, growth, and connection.
Living and seizing the day means stepping out of our comfort zones. It’s about being willing to take risks, experience new things, fail, learn, and grow. It’s about not letting fear of the unknown prevent us from experiencing the richness of life.
“Whether it’s the best of times or the worst of times, it’s the only time we’ve got.” — Art Buchwald
So, the next time you hear “Carpe Diem” on your favorite show or elsewhere, let it be a gentle reminder to be present, active, and engaged.
Whether it’s in our interactions with others, work, or personal pursuits, let’s strive to seize each day and make it count. After all, this is us now and our chance to live.
We are mortal. Our time here is limited. So, let’s live life to its fullest.
Let’s seize the day, not in reckless pursuit of adventure, but in deliberately embracing life’s simple, authentic, and beautiful moments.
