YOLO – My Mantra for 2022!

Nothing can be as Millennial as acronyms! You Only Live Once,

YOLO is going to be my go-to mantra for the year 2022!

As hippie as it sounds, yet is an ancient philosophy. Acronyms like “You Only Live Once” have this magic wand-like effect on people. Which is not only very inspiring but is 100% factual.

It has this larger than life approach to things. It’s like looking at day to day things through a magnifying glass! Be it running errands, going for a walk in nature or just sitting on the couch! Just listening to a song that embodies the “YOLO” essence gives us chills! Which inspires us to live by it! Even for just a couple of seconds, things seem magical! Our fantasies, dreams, ambitions seem accessible! Something we may have a grip over. We finally start daydreaming! And just for a second, life is more fun, adventurous, daring!

Isn’t that something we all crave deep down?

Fun, Liveliness, Adventure, Thrill!

The rush of adrenaline running down our veins, the sheer joy of everything be it big or small!

Life seemed like a trip to Disneyland back in the good old days. But it slowly and suddenly became quite monotonous!

Life turned out to be more practical as we started “adulting”.

Obligations, responsibilities took over. Though it gave you a sense of freedom, it also stripped away all of life’s little joy and happiness. And we completely forgot how we once felt, the way we experienced life as kids!

I guess this is the reason we love being around kids! They have this wild ray of imagination and belief. They jump, dance, laugh out loud as if there’s no tomorrow! Life is like a 4D thriller movie for them!

Everything is possible for them. Everything is real to them. Unicorns, mermaids, dragons, fairies and even pokemon! They don’t even know what the word “impossible” even means! It’s as if they are deaf and blind to it! They have this immense sense of urgency to the task at hand. “YOLO” is very much embedded in the fabric of their very being!

Kids can be great cheerleaders for helping us “Adults” inculcate the art of “YOLO” in everyday lives!

The other day I was reading philosophy. Stoicism moved me. Now, I am officially a stoic fan. And one of the many life-changing stoic philosophies that inspired me is “Memento Mori”.

The Latin meaning of it is “Remember you must Die”. Life is unpredictable. Nobody knows what will happen next. No matter how thoroughly you plan things out. Never forget that. Act accordingly keeping that always in mind.

Such a bold yet profound statement!

Isn’t the Pandemic made even more obvious?

All the things or people we took for granted may not necessarily be with us at this very moment.

All the plans that we made for our future back then, have completely changed.

Just for a minute, think about all the goals that you made for the coming five years, two years or even a year since before the pandemic.

Career Goals, Relationship Goals, Financial Goals, Health Goals Or any “Goals” in general.

Now, remember those goals. Are they still the same? Or Have they changed?

What is your biggest takeaway from this Global Crisis?

The Pandemic has made me realise that life is fleeting. Life is unpredictable. Life cannot be taken for granted. And it taught me that You Only Live Once.

It made me understand Memento Mori in its true essence.

Is there anything as practical as “death” in actuality?

Memento Mori is a great practice to live life to its fullest. To do life justice. When you start reflecting on your mortality, you start prioritizing things that matter. And this is how you start living. Instead of being fearful or wasting your precious time.

You start living from your heart instead of the Ego.

Though we may not like to hear it, Death gives life meaning. This is beautifully explained in his book, “Man’s Search For Meaning” by Mr Viktor E Frankl.

A Must read if you’re still struggling with the whole idea of YOLO.

Imbibing the concept of You Only Live Once has made me more mindful. It makes you be in the present moment in the “Now”. And the cool thing is it’s like practising Meditation. Open Eyed Meditation!

When you focus on the present moment, i.e the “ Now” there is nowhere else to be! Whatever is the task at hand is your whole and sole focus. That is when you realize how precious life is. It is putting YOLO into the application by practising mindfulness in everyday chores.

All the great sages, monks, philosophers throughout history preached “Mindfulness”. Their teachings were heavily emphasised being in the “Now”. Because “NOW” is all we have!

Being in the “now” doesn’t distract you from the thoughts of your past or makes you fearful of your future. Your Inner Vision is not distorted by your silly thoughts that have no concrete foundations. But are only a mere rare possibility that has no tangible evidence.

In the present moment is where your “soul” is how you start living as if you only live once!

Life is too short to be anything but “Yourself”.

To do the things that ignite your spark and set your soul on fire!

It takes courage to acknowledge these things and live a life of joy.

Dear reader, May you remember just how sacred your time here on Earth is! And the fact that it is fleeting!

It doesn’t matter what you did earlier, all that matters is your willingness to live a different, yet fulfilling life here on!

All I wish is to inspire you to take the first step towards that!

To dance at your rhythm, to sing your song!

To truly live a life, you are proud of!

So do, say, be everything and anything in accordance to that!

Do what you want to do, something that matters to you! Pour your heart out! Tell people you love them, how much they mean to you!

You never know when it is that you would have to say goodbye!

But the question is,

Would you dare live your life by the philosophy of You Only Live Once or would you rather be wondering “What if’s” “If Not” “So What” etc and make random conclusions on your deathbed…