Recently, while scrolling on Instagram, I came across a phrase I’d never heard before: Memento Vivere. It’s a Latin phrase that translates to remember to live, and I’ve been thinking a lot about it ever since.
I’ve been reflecting on the last 10 years and realizing how infrequently I’ve lived in a way that brings me joy. I spent much of that time simply existing and going through the motions, reacting to what was happening around me rather than proactively creating a life that’s true to who I am and who I want to be.
I think it’s easy for us to fall into that pattern. We get caught up in our responsibilities, stress, anxiety, and everything life throws at us. Before we know it, we’re moving through our days without considering whether our choices reflect the life we want to create.
I know that’s where I’ve been. Over the last decade, I’ve made choices that weren’t aligned with who I am, and I’ve allowed those choices to define me. I’ve drifted away from things I used to enjoy and in some ways, from the person I used to be.
This is not how I want to live in the next season of my life.
The phrase also brought to mind a passage I recently read in one of my morning devotionals about doing what you can while you still can and not wasting time. It struck me that these two ideas belong together: remember to live, and don’t waste time.
Life is happening whether we’re actively participating in it or not. The time will pass regardless. The question is, are we creating lives we genuinely enjoy, or are we simply going through the motions and settling for less than what we want for ourselves?
For me, this is a critical time in my life. This last season has been challenging, and I’m working my way out of a difficult place. But I know I still have time to turn things around.
I think about my life in quarters, much like a football or basketball game. The first quarter was great. The second was a mixed bag, and the last 10 years have been particularly difficult. But I’m in the third quarter now, and the game isn’t over.
I still have time to turn things around. That starts with being intentional about where I put my energy, who I spend time with, and the choices I make each day. It means consistently asking myself whether I’m living in a way that reflects the life I want for myself.
Ultimately, my life is my responsibility. Wanting something different isn’t enough. The daily choices I make will determine whether that change happens.
And I think that’s part of what Living Life True means to me in this season of my life. Reconnecting with who I am and actively creating a life that feels true to me.
Memento Vivere. Remember to live. Don’t waste time.
Are you truly living, or have you gotten so caught up in life that you’ve forgotten to live it?