The irony that it came from the first Beatle to die isn’t lost on me, but the concept of borrowed time is something we should always be cognizant of.

Zen teaches us all that exists is here, now, and self. Zen also teaches us the importance of savouring here, now, and self. For example, through the practice of meditation, but also importantly through eating.

In zen, we are taught to savour every bite. We are taught to stop and chew slowly, while thinking about everything that had to come together for us to even have a meal in the first place.

We are living on borrowed time, so the zen monks are right. If at any given moment we can’t stop to be cognizant of what’s going on, then are we truly living?

Stop to savour the moment. Stop to relax, and just let yourself be. Borrowed time isn’t something to be afraid of. It’s to be embraced, and treated with respect. Just like the zen monks.