Memento Mori

Tim Bunting Kiwi Yamabushi at Yamadera in Yamagata Prefecture

In August, I'll be turning 33, the same age Jesus was when he died, and I feel I should add that I'm already halfway-through living the amount of time my dad did (62). My grandparents all lived past 75, with the oldest falling just before their 90th birthday, so if I go by my grandparents, I should live long, but there really is no guarantee on things like this as my dad's situation would attest to (and as much as I hate to admit it, the same goes for mum). I like to think because of my situation I have a greater appreciation for life than others in my demographic, and I sometimes use this as an excuse to do things impulsively. If I'm trying to decide between doing something and not doing it, for example, I tend to lean towards doing it, whereas in the past I may not have been so adventurous. In a way, this blog is a result of that type of thinking.

However, I don't think you need such horrific experiences to remind yourself to live a little. Even just reflecting on what you have, and the Stoic activity of picturing what life would be like without certain people, the ones closest to you, this can be enough to push you into action, and to appreciate life more.

P.S. If what you have in mind has a risk of harming others, find something else for now. I have a friend who very recklessly does things without regard of others all because they became tired of the situation. That is the exact behaviour that allows such a situation to continue, and we all need to take responsibility for each other, especially those most at risk of getting seriously ill or even dying from COVID-19, the exact people my friend hadn't even considered when they did what they did.

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Sakata City, Yamagata, Japan 

tim@timbunting.com

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