Why you should visit the cemeteries

The final resting place for dead people. A solemn, somewhat spooky, and sad place. Where souls find their way to the afterlife. Why would anybody want to visit such a place? Unless absolutely necessary right.

Over an evening drive by Melbourne General Cemetery somedays back, my wife and I remarked about the interesting fact that in the Western world, it is not uncommon to find residential and commercial buildings within close proximity to cemeterial grounds, as compared to the East.

And that conversation eventually evolved to a discussion about the borderline 'stoic' concept of visiting the cemeteries. Perhaps, I've gotten this idea or inspiration from my long time idol Ryan Holiday himself, who enjoys running among tombstones. Sounds a little morbid, but I encourage you to give it a try some day!

Here are three reasons why you should visit the cemeteries and immerse yourself in the humbling process (I hope you'd find them encouraging):

1) Memento Mori

• 'Remember you must die' - in Latin

• Like the many once great men and women lying 6 feet under, we too are bounded by this common destination in life.

• There is no escape from the very design of life and death, for they are both sides to a coin.

• So let's remind ourselves to seize the day, live in the present, and cherish precious moments and the gift of life.

• Take comfort in the inevitability of death, for it gives greater value to what it means to be truly alive.

2) Regrets

• Things we didn't do, paths we didn't take, people we didn't touch.

• The cemetery is a reminder of the many regrets in life.

• No, not the chances and risks that were taken, but rather, those that weren't.

• Only to be mourned - regrets that were to be taken to grave.

• Remember, we all have a limited time in this life to do great things, explore unbeaten paths, and to show love, care, and kindness.

3) Forgive

• Dead people don't hold a grudge.

• Learn to let go of grudges: accept, make amends, forgive and let go, move on.

• This brief life that we live is too precious to be bogged down by dissatisfaction and unhappiness about how somebody else chooses to run his/her life.

• When the time comes for us to return to our creator, let there be no room for hatred or jealousy, but acceptance and forgiveness.

I wish you a humbling and inspiring visit to the cemetery near you!

Here are some resources if you'd like to find out more about stoicism (#notsponsored):

• The Daily Stoic

• Twitter - Daily Stoic

• Spotify - Daily Stoic Podcast

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