January 2, 2025

We don't want to think about it. And so, we don't prepare. To think of our own death and what that could be like, especially if you're a parent. But, it will one day happen.

Jay Shetty, in his first book, 'Think Like a Monk, ' shares his insights on performing a death meditation at the start of each year. Thinking of your own death gives a different perspective. Unsure what decisions to make? Which way to go? Feel stuck or confused? At the start of each new year, things a great exercise to ensure we align our today, with how we want to be remembered.

There are two suggestions presented by Jay Shetty:

1. Visualize the inevitable, this will give us every lesson we need to live a full life. Place yourself at the age of 80 or 90, on your deathbed. Ask yourself questions such as;

• what do I wish I'd done?

• what experiences do I wish I'd had?

• What do I regret not giving more attention?

• what skills do I wish I'd worked on?

• what do I wish I'd detached from?

Instead of regrets use these questions and any more you think of as a guide, so you can live the actions that match your answers.

2. Think of how you want to be remembered at your funeral? Think of the impact you had. Not what people think of you or who will miss you. What if you died today? How would you like to be remembered? What is the gap between dying today or dying at 80 or 90? This will help build a bridge from today to your deathbed.

Donald Miller, author of 'Hero On a Mission,' uses the exercise of writing out his own eulogy. And this helps Miller see what he would like to be remembered for and today he uses this as a guide to get himself to act in accordance to that future self. Like James Clear teaches us, each day we have the choice of voting for the identity we want to achieve - with action. Not with words.

Be intentional. All we have is this life. All we have is today. Happy New Year to you all.

Love, Dan Roman