Stat sua cuique dies.
(Vergil, Aeneid 10.467)

A person's own day is established for each one.

(Pron = staht SOO-ah KWEE-kway DEE-ays)

Commentary: "One's own day" is a eumphemism for "one's death day". This short
line from the Aeneid expresses the belief that everyone's days are numbered,
and that there is an appointed day when we each shall die.

I don't know if that is the case, or not. I do know that in western culture and
religions, this is a popular notion, and it has the effect of keeping us, at
leas subconsciously, anxious about the future, and I have come to see that such
anxiety is unhealthy. It unduly takes my attention off of what and who is right
in front of me, in the present moment, even if unconsciously.

I am also fairly certain that each of us will come to a moment when it will be
"our day", whether or not it has be pre-established as such. What will make
that moment particularly difficult or not, it seems, is how much practice we
have at letting go, for in that moment, we will engage in some serious letting
go.

I have been fortunate in that I have witnessed many people in that moment, or in
the last few moments leading to their "own day". Regardless of their life, it's
length, its quality, or its station, I have seen each person become tender,
reflective, and very aware of the present moment. They become clear that they
do not have control over much of anything, and so they hold things and people
tenderly, see each much more clearly, and let go. I have also seen the misery
innvolved in individuals and their families, who were unwilling to enter this
tenderness, reflectivity, and present-moment awareness. They are alive, but it
is hell on earth as they grasp and pretend to be in charge. I watched a woman
once try to rule her entire extended family from her nursing home bed. She had
been there for over ten years.

Here's the point. Today, we can choose to practice tenderness, reflection, and
living in the present moment. Each day can be a full life. It's a little
hokey (to me), but there's a popular country song out right now whose chorus
proclaims: I hope you get the chance to live like you were dying.

Here's wishing us all a tender, reflective, in the moment Friday.