Everything is a reminder. Everything is a tool. I once read about a lady who has the word “aware” tattooed on her hand to remind her to be awake and conscious. But there is more to being aware than having your eyes open. Just like there is a difference between hearing and listening.
What do you do to remind yourself that time is fleeting, life is short, and it is time to get down to business? I’ve heard of Thai Buddhists who will meditate alone for days beside a corpse. Sometimes you have to go inside yourself to find yourself.
Some people go a bit crazy when they realize they are going to die. Some get bossy. Some get grumpy. If only they could have realized that death is the great equalizer. Nobody escapes it. Rich, poor, ugly, beautiful, kind, mean; we are all worm food. Our last home will be the smallest efficiency apartment ever, and that is just the way it is.
There is practice in this. Nothing really matters. There is chaos in this. Every moment counts. Be aware. The alarm clock is going off. Do you hit the snooze button and turn over?
