The Stoics kept death in view, not to be morbid, but to wake themselves up. Marcus told himself he could leave life at any moment, and let that shape how he acted now. When you remember your time has an edge, small grudges lose their grip and ordinary days regain their weight. This isn't meant to frighten you. It's meant to return you to your life, to make the people in front of you matter more and the petty worries matter less. You don't know how much time you have, and neither does anyone. So let today be lived rather than merely gotten through. It's the one you've got.

Inspired by the old idea of memento mori. Written by Ugo Charles.