Philosophy & Stoicism

Don’t Mind Me; I’m Only Dying Slowly

Whether this moment is promised or not, we will die

“Let each thing you would do, say or intend be like that of a dying person.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 2.11.1

We’ve all heard statements — like below — and try to implement them at some point in our lives — even if only for a brief moment:

• “Live like it’s your last”
• “YOLO”
• “This moment is all that’s promised.”

Before we hear these statements, do we recall the inevitability of our demise? It’s coming for us all, whether we want to accept the fact or not. Even if we’re not taken by death at a shocking moment, we are taken at some point.

Death Is A Foreign Concept

But we forget that we are ticking death bombs once we are born. None of us know when our time will be up; we could leave this earth at any moment. But outside of this fact, we still are all dying slowly. So, why don’t we realize the phenomenon of our delicate life sentences? We remember how short our lives can be when we hear one of these statements, experience an eye-opening event like a terminal illness or death close to home (close friend or family member). Death remains a foreign concept until it greets you.

It’s easy to ignore that we are all dying when it seems like we have all the time in the world. You feel complacent and expect yourself to keep on going until one day, you’re not.

The Daily Stoic’s Opinion On Imminent Death

“Have you ever heard some ask: What would you do if you found out tomorrow that you had cancer?

The question is designed to make you consider how different like might be if you were suddenly given just a few months or weeks to live. There’s nothing like terminal illness to wake people up.

But here’s the thing: you already have a terminal diagnosis. We all do! As the writer, Edmund Wilson put it, “Death is one prophecy that never fails.” Every person is born with a death sentence. Each second that passes by is one you’ll never get back.

Once you realize this, it will profoundly impact what you do, say, and think. Don’t let another day tick away in ignorance of the reality that you’re a dying person. We all are. Can today be the day we stop pretending otherwise?” — The Daily Stoic, p 408

Destiny S. Harris is a writer, poet, entrepreneur, teacher, and techie who offers free books daily on amazon. Destiny obtained three degrees in political science, psychology, and women’s studies. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, or @ destinyh.com

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