DAY 11/90: We Are ALL Going to Die

13 July 2022
Orlando, Florida

MEANING BEHIND THE RULE: As with most rules, this one isn’t completely original. As with most rules, it appeared in the middle of a pretty intense workout in 2019 where I’m sure there were questions raised about length of life.

Memento mori. Latin for “Remember that you have to die.” It’s a concept deeply rooted in Stoic philosophy. We are all going to die, but in all likelihood whatever is of concern in the moment isn’t going to cause death. In other words, things could be worse. At the same time, we are all going to die at some point so let’s appreciate what we’re experiencing in this moment. One of my favorite quotes is from Epictetus: “I have to die. If it is now, well then I die now; if later then now I will take my lunch, since the hour for lunch has arrived - and dying I will tend to later.”

Nothing exciting on this fine Wednesday. The office was emptied with everything cluttering the dining and living areas. The day started with scrubbing and cleaning, then replacing. Organization and simplification of the space helps declutter the brain. There were struggles with a few things that have sentimental value, and my mind would slide back 12 years ago when I was in a similar (but very different) position as a single dad. Time spent pondering how much things have changed from where I was everything to my youngest son, when I was looking for the best ways to channel the incredible energy he had and light him up. That was the foundation of The Give Team Program. It was in a conversation with him about how I can help him get almost anything in the world he wants with three simple steps: (1) set a goal; (2) make a plan; and (3) execute that plan (the fourth step - overcome challenges - was added later as part of The Give Team).

The office is now scrubbed. Things have a place. It’s not completely reassembled, but that will happen soon enough. I’ll complete it when I get back from my trip to the northeast.