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December    7th

THE CARDS   WE’RE   DEALT

“Think  of  the life    you have    lived   until   now as  over    and,    as  a   dead    man,    see what’s  left    as  a   bonus

and live    it  according   to  Nature. Love    the hand    that    fate    deals   you and play    it  as  your    own,    for

what    could   be  more    fitting?”

—MARCUS AURELIUS,   MEDITATIONS,    7.56–57

e have an irrational fear of acknowledging our own mortality. We avoid thinking about it because
we think it will be depressing. In fact, reflecting on mortality often has the opposite effect—
invigorating us more than saddening us. Why? Because it gives us clarity.
If you were suddenly told you had but a week to live, what changes would you make? If you died but
were resuscitated, how different would your perspective be?
When, as Shakespeare’s Prospero puts it, “every third thought shall be my grave,” there’s no risk of
getting caught up in petty matters or distractions. Instead of denying our fear of death, let’s let it make us
the best people we can be.
Today.