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Memento Mori
Remember that you will die and live with purpose
A few days ago, Catholics celebrated the Day of the Dead, a deeply rooted tradition in several Latin American countries. Regarding this date, one absolute truth, undeniable, is that each of us has an expiration date, and death can “surprise” us when we least expect it.
In this regard, during the height of the pandemic (July 2020), at a seminar given by Rafael Zavala at the PAD of the University of Piura, I heard for the first time a phrase of Latin origin: “Memento Mori.” Translated into English, it means “remember that you will die.” Death is a topic that no one wants to talk about or think about. This is because it is a truth that makes us uncomfortable, questions us, and challenges us
From that day forward, I tried to keep that phrase in mind. Not to be afraid of it or obsessed with it, but to fulfill my responsibilities in all my roles (personal, family, work, etc.) to the best of my ability. However, the hustle and bustle of life often makes me lose focus. I’d like to point out that I’m referring specifically to doing my responsibilities correctly.
Following this reflection, I would like to share a question with you: the same one I ask myself and also ask each of you. How would you spend your time if you knew exactly that your expiration date was very near?
In my case, I would do the following:
- Reconcile with God.
- To tell my wife how much I love and admire her as a person and as a professional.
- Kiss my three daughters: Mariana, Fátima, and Belén. And then give them a hug with all my heart. Thank my mother for everything she did and still does for me today at 86 years old.
- I want to thank my brothers (Jorge and Ivan) for their love, advice, and silent companionship.
- I want to thank my friends near and far, from school, the neighborhood, undergraduate studies, postgraduate studies, and life, because all of them without exception have always taught me something good (patience, joy, camaraderie, listening, and advice).
- And to all the groups mentioned, without exception, I humbly and sincerely apologize if I ever wronged them, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
Based on what has been described in the preceding lines, I bring up two things that we should all do without fail, always, and not wait until our last days.
- Always do our duties well. From the simplest things, like making our bed properly, to any other everyday task you do regularly in any aspect of your life.
- Let’s do our duties with humility. In our personal, family, and professional lives, without any self-importance and certainly without thinking we’re the bee’s knees.
To conclude this article, I’d like to share two phrases that I think are related to it.
- “Be, always be, a good player.” + Mr. Oscar Quiñones, chess professor at PUCP.
- “Life, though it may seem so, is not short; it is the individual who makes it so.” Seneca, Roman philosopher.
We still have time to do all the good we can through our daily duties. And thus continue contributing our grain of sand to a better society. Don’t forget, keep your spirits up, row hard against the current and out to sea!
Hugo Saldaña Estrada
Gerente de Showroom Ventas en Roca SAC. Veinte años de experiencia, generando valor en empresas transnacionales y de primer nivel a través de la gestión integral de procesos de recursos humanos, tales como selección de talento, estrategias de compensaciones, evaluación del desempeño y gestión del clima laboral.
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