My First Tattoo.

My First Tattoo.

I was the one of my friend group that had the strictest curfew, 10:30 every time I was out. I was almost always the first one to need to go home. Kind of embarrassing, especially when your new boyfriend would also need to leave the hangout early in order to take you home. And growing up, my dad was extremely anti-tattoo, so the running joke between my friend Cindy and me was that I would get 10:30 tattooed on the inside of my wrist.

Then another idea came - for those of you who may not know, I have been married before. Kennedy is my maiden name, and leading up to taking on a new one, I had a strong feeling about getting “Kennedy” tattooed somewhere on me. Although, I didn’t end up getting that one either.

Recently, I came across a phrase two times in the same day... once in the book I was reading (Origin by Dan Brown), and once in a podcast about how to be happy despite circumstances of your life (Luka Hocevar @lukahocevar).

Memento Mori.

Or loosely translated, remember death.

The phrase struck me – it has been an idea I have thought of for a while, keeping the contemplation of one’s own mortality in the forefront of your life, as a focus to make the most of each day. I am so drawn to stories and movies where the character(s) must confront or face the possibility of their own death; or those that face it and choose to go toward it for the good of others – that gets me every time. Think: Forbidden Forest/Resurrection Stone of Harry Potter…

Though, for sure, it doesn’t always have to be that dramatic. I had wanted to learn more about it, and came across this article: https://dailystoic.com/memento-mori/

“Meditating on your mortality is only depressing if you miss the point. It is in fact a tool to create priority and meaning. It’s a tool that generations have used to create real perspective and urgency. To treat our time as a gift and not waste it on the trivial and vain. Death doesn’t make life pointless but rather purposeful.” Just like the stoic, I find this thought “invigorating and humbling”. A reminder to include purpose in each day; to make each moment count.

And no, Dad, I don’t actually have a tattoo. But if I were to ever, this is definitely a contender.