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In Ryan Holiday’s compelling book, “The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living,” the current chapter caught my attention, December “A Meditation on Mortality.” The very title hints at a subject that makes most of us squirm a little in our seats. Mortality is a heavy topic to tackle, but it is also undeniably important. The idea of living each day as if it were our last isn’t just some wishy washy cliché; it’s a mindset that can help us glean the most from our fleeting time here on Earth.

The author illustrates this concept vividly by referencing the resolve of soldiers preparing to leave for war. Picture it: a soldier stands on the precipice of uncertainty, ready to head into battle, fully aware that he may never return home. His immediate priority? Tying up loose ends and ensuring that everything is in order.

What about us in peacetime? Is there a way to experience that urgent clarity about our lives without the threat of imminent danger? I would argue that as we age, we gain a similar perspective on life that encourages us to value each day. The clock is inevitably ticking, and the realisation that our time isn’t infinite should motivate us to make the most of every moment.

Let’s delve into this theme further and explore the wisdom of Seneca, who advises us, “Let us prepare our minds as if we’d come to the very end of life. Let us postpone nothing. Let us balance life’s books each day… The one who puts the finishing touches on their life each day is never short of time.”

The Cliché Factor: A Matter of Perspective

“Live each day as if it were your last” this phrase is repeated so often that it risks becoming just another cliché. But clichés often hold some truth. The fact that this concept pops up in conversations about mindfulness and personal growth means there’s merit to it. It’s easy to roll our eyes at platitudes, but what we need to grasp is the essence behind them.

Think of those moments when we’ve experienced a tragedy or a loss. They force us to confront our mortality and make us reevaluate how we live. A close friend’s sudden passing might remind us of the importance of telling our loved ones how much we appreciate them or the necessity of pursuing our passions without delay. Certainly, these moments can serve as reality checks, but why wait for something drastic to happen?

In everyday life, if we adopt the mentality of living each day fully, we won’t leave opportunities unexplored or unexpressed. It means battling procrastination and making room for joy, meaningful connections, and personal ambitions. Cliché or not, when we embrace it genuinely, the concept can catalyse transformation.

The Soldier’s Approach: A Call to Action

Returning to the soldier analogy, that notion of urgency begs the question: How do we channel that sense of awareness in our daily lives? When facing uncertainty, it’s natural to prioritise what matters most. Perhaps we could translate that approach into our peacetime existence.

Imagine waking up each morning with the determination to ‘get your affairs in order’, not just in the legal sense, but also in the emotional and practical realms*. What conversations need to happen? What dreams have you shelved? Take, for instance, two friends, one in their twenties and another in their sixties. The twenty something may feel they have all the time in the world, while the sixty year old reflects with some urgency. Ideally, we can cultivate the soldier’s mindset regardless of our age.

We can create a list of intentions matched with actions. If there are places we want to visit, people we want to reconcile with, or goals we want to achieve, it’s time to prioritise them. The man who dreams of traveling may choose to postpone his dream trips, telling himself that there will be “plenty of time” in the future. But life often has a way of throwing curveballs, and those dream trips may slip away if we don’t act.

*The emotional realm deals with your internal feelings and the ability to manage them, while the practical realm focuses on the tangible, external aspects of life, such as physical reality, tasks, and achievements.

The Emotional Realm
The emotional realm involves the world of your feelings and internal states. It is a vital component of overall well being, influencing personal and professional success. Key aspects include:
• Self-awareness: Recognising and understanding your own emotions as they arise.
• Emotional Regulation: The capacity to manage and respond to your feelings in appropriate and healthy ways.
• Interconnectedness: Emotions are closely linked to your thoughts (mental realm) and physical health, where changes in one area affect the others.
• Communication: The ability to express feelings appropriately and set healthy boundaries in relationships.

The Practical Realm
Often described as the physical or material realm, the practical realm relates to the tangible aspects of existence that you experience through your senses. This realm includes:
• Physical well being: The health condition of your body, including nutrition, hydration, sleep, and movement.
• Material life: Your relationship to “stuff,” money, career, home, and all possessions and positions that define your status.
• Tangible actions: Focusing on do able action plans and concrete steps to achieve goals.
• External reality: The outer world that you interact with daily, which is often the place where people look for change in their lives.

Connection Between the Realms
These two realms are deeply interconnected. Your emotional state can significantly impact your practical life and vice versa. For example, managing your emotions (emotional realm) can help you create a clearer action plan for your career (practical realm), leading to greater fulfilment and less stress. Many self help and wellness frameworks emphasise balancing both the internal emotional life and external practicalities for holistic well being.

Embracing Old Age As a Peacetime Analogy

Aging can be seen as a peacetime analogy for the soldier’s readiness. Just as the soldier prepares for the unknown with urgency, we can reflect on our journey through life with a sense of purpose as we age.

Think about the wisdom that comes with growing older; each year brings us a subtle reminder of our mortality. The realisation that time is a finite resource may inspire us to shed the trivialities, the grudge we’ve been holding or the careers we’re ambivalent about. A long life gives us perspective, but often at the loss of time, something we can’t regain.

When we approach the golden years with intentionality, we understand that every day holds the potential for meaningful experiences. Seneca’s wisdom urges us to “balance life’s books each day.” It reminds us never to leave important words unsaid or unfinished chapters unwritten.

The Connection to Mindfulness

Living each day as if it were our last aligns beautifully with the principles of mindfulness, an awareness of the present moment, a gratitude for the here and now. Mindfulness practices teach us to engage fully in the present, and what could be more significant than that? When you savour your meals, breathe deeply, or listen earnestly to a friend, you are experiencing life in a way that acknowledges its fragility.

Each moment represents a new chance to live fully and genuinely. Whether you are spending time with loved ones, engaging in a creative pursuit, or finding joy in simple daily rituals, channelling that soldier like awareness can infuse life with richness and meaning.

Cultivating Intention Daily

So, how do we put this into practice? What strategies can we employ to live each day with intention and purpose?

1. Gratitude Journaling: Take a few minutes each day to reflect on what you are grateful for. This practice grounds you in the present and helps you realise what truly matters.
2. Set Daily Intentions: At the start of each day, set an intention that aligns with your values. It could be reaching out to a friend, completing a project you’ve been procrastinating on, or simply choosing to be more present.
3. Engage in Conversations: Make it a point to engage in meaningful conversations. Reach out to someone you may have drifted away from or have a heart to heart with a loved one. You never know how much time you might have left.
4. Prioritise Self Care: We often prioritise everything else over our own well being. Take time for yourself, whether it’s through meditation, reading, or just taking a long walk.
5. Push Beyond Fear: Do those things you’ve been putting off because fear held you back. Whether it’s going on a solo trip, speaking your mind, or starting that hobby you’ve longed for, lean into the discomfort that comes with growth.
6. Celebrate Life’s Events: Whether small or big, celebrate the moments that matter. Throw a dinner party, share your achievements with others, or simply spend a day focusing on experiences that fuel your spirit.

The Final Chapter: Reflection and Acceptance

Embracing the concept of living each day as if it were your last does not mean living in a constant state of alarm! Instead, it is about acknowledging our impermanence and choosing to respond to it thoughtfully. Seneca’s call to balance life’s books daily asks us to reflect on our lives regularly; it encourages us to confront our choices and alter our paths if necessary.

As we wrap this up, let’s relish the wisdom shared from Ryan Holiday and Seneca alike. The soldier mentality, preparing for potential goodbyes, reminds us to live boldly, love fiercely, and experience life without regrets. Your story is being written every single day. Are you ready to fill the pages with intention, joy, and authenticity? Life is waiting, so let’s not postpone it any longer.

In the end, it’s up to each of us to ensure that when we look back, we see a life well lived, not just a series of days gone by. Let’s make each day count, whether it’s a day in a war zone or just another sunny Monday. Live today as if it were your last, and in doing so, make the most of this extraordinary ride we call life.