Memento mori is a Latin phrase reminding the monk that one day he will eventually die. It's a daily reminder that monks keep close to their hearts. This isn't meant to be morbid but it's a reminder that eventually our time will come when we will pass on from this life.  The monk knows that this day may be their last, so you should live every day like it's your last. I once had a picture in my room in the monastery with a monk holding a skull. It's a scary-looking picture but it's also meant to shock you into thinking about what the picture represents. If today was our last day how would we live it? Would we fix our broken relationships, forget the guilt and shame that we carry and let it go, or visit someone we haven't seen in a long time? The choice is yours, if today was your last day, what would you do with it? https://MonkMindset.com