Although it is certain for everyone, most people do not like to think about their eventual death or even think about death at all. It can happen at any moment and remembering that is very important.
“Memento mori” is a term used by Stoics and Christians to remember to live a virtuous life, but the term can have a wider appeal as well. I interpret the term to be about living a life that is self-fulfilling.
Many people feel they have to live up to societal expectations, no matter how damaging they can be. The thought of disappointing others by living a life being true to oneself is sadly still common.
According to an article by CNBC, Bronnie Ware was an in-home caregiver who looked after people in their last three to 12 weeks of life for eight years. She wrote a book titled, “The Top Five Regrets of the Dying.”
The most common regret was, “I wish I had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me,” according to Ware.
I find it tragic that people, myself included, feel bound by the pressure of others. Whether it be gender roles, religious or political institutions, body image issues or living life in a hyper-capitalistic system where profit is valued over anything, these standards can warp the minds of the masses for the worst.
It is fine to live by these standards if that is what a certain individual is comfortable living by. However, many, such as myself, are not comfortable with them and are finally breaking free of caring about what others think.
This is extra important for college students to hear. College should be about finding your true self and what your aspirations are instead of finding your place of being another cog in an unchanging world.
Anyone’s opinion of you can change at any moment and that is their prerogative. The only person whose opinion of you matters is yourself. As long as you are not hurting anyone, you should live for yourself. The power to change the world lies within you if you take the action to do so.
It may be daunting, maybe even horrifying, but it is certainly possible. The only thing standing in the way of a fulfilling life and a future worth living is yourself. Living in fear will get you nowhere. Take chances; if you fail, take it as an opportunity to learn.
Being your genuine self is the only way to keep true friends. Start saying hello to people, give others genuine reasonable compliments and pay close attention when someone is talking to you. This in itself will not make you friends, but it will show that you are a person who cares about other people. People tend to want friends who care about them. Remember to respect the boundaries of others as well; it is great to live your life for yourself, but true of others as well.
Nico Brazill can be contacted at
nbrazill@kscequinox.com
