Today is my birthday. I generally don’t make a big deal about my birthday. I usually don’t make elaborate plans, I have no must-do’s on my list. I wake up into the day and live.

Today is not necessarily different to what I’ve just described, except for two gifts I received from The Daily Stoic and The Daily Om.

The Daily Stoic’s message said –

Happy Birthday! You’re one year closer to death. 

The gift was a percentage off of a medallion created with the words MEMENTO MORI – a reminder to focus, prioritize and never take a minute for granted.

The phrase is Latin, Memento Mori, reminding us that we have to die, however the awareness is not to bring sadness but to arouse more purposeful living.

Marcus Aurelius wrote that “You could leave life right now.”

Ryan Holiday encourage that we should let this determine what we do and say and think. The Stoics believed that thought of our mortality should shadow us everywhere. It should give you a sense of urgency and priority, help you cut out the inessential, inform how you treat other people, and let yourself be treated. The medallion is the reminder that we can carry with us everywhere we go.

The Daily Om’s gift showed a different perspective

Your birthday marks more than just another calendar day. It’s your personal new year, a sacred time to celebrate how far you’ve come, honor what’s ready to be released, and lovingly welcome the dreams and blessings waiting to enter your life.

I accept both gifts and the messages accompanying them, understanding that I have two choices:

I can choose to keep going exactly as I have…or be a little more honest about what’s working, what isn’t, what I’m tolerating, and what I keep postponing.

So for me, today isn’t about making it special. It’s about not missing what it’s pointing to.

Time is moving… whether I make a big deal about it or not. And if I’m going to take anything from today, it’s that I don’t need a dramatic plan… but I do need to be clearer about how I’m using what I still have.

Strategic Reflection Prompt

Where are you treating time like it’s unlimited… and what would you change if you were honest about what it’s actually costing you?

About Giselle

Most costly decisions begin with an inaccurate understanding of the situation.

I’m increasingly interested in how leaders make sense of uncertainty, complexity, and important decisions. If you could better understand one thing about your business right now, what would it be?

Giselle Hudson is a Pre-Decision Diagnostic Advisor who helps leaders gain clarity before major decisions are made or resources are committed to the wrong solution.