"全ての人は死ぬ"

"Valar Morghulis" is a phrase from George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series, and if you’re a fan of HBO's "Game of Thrones," you’ve definitely heard it. It translates to "All men must die" in the High Valyrian language. Now, let's break that down.

At its core, the phrase is a stark reminder of mortality. It’s telling us that death is the one true certainty we all share. We’re all going to die someday—no exceptions. This might sound morbid, but it's also incredibly liberating. Knowing that our time is limited can push us to live more fully and authentically.

Historically, this phrase is significant in the context of the series. The characters who use it, primarily the Faceless Men, have a unique perspective on life and death. They see death as a natural part of existence, not something to be feared but embraced. It’s a mantra that guides their actions and philosophies. But you don’t need to be an assassin in a fictional world to get something out of this.

Think about this in real life. Imagine you're stuck in a job you hate. Every day feels like a drag. You’re just going through the motions, waiting for the weekend, waiting for your next vacation, waiting for... retirement? That’s no way to live. "Valar Morghulis" can remind you that your time is precious. Why waste it on something that doesn’t make you happy or fulfilled? Maybe it’s time to take that leap, switch careers, or start that business you’ve been dreaming about.

A real-life example of applying this wisdom? Let’s look at Steve Jobs. He famously said in his Stanford commencement speech that remembering he would be dead soon was the most important tool he ever encountered to help him make the big choices in life. When you realize that you’re not going to live forever, it refocuses your priorities. Jobs often asked himself, “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I’m about to do today?” If the answer was “No” too many days in a row, he knew he needed to change something.

So, how can you apply this in your life? Start by evaluating how you spend your time. Are you investing in relationships that matter? Are you pursuing passions that make you feel alive? If not, it might be time to make some changes. It doesn’t have to be a huge overhaul—sometimes small, incremental steps can lead to big changes over time. Maybe it’s reconnecting with an old friend, picking up a hobby you’ve neglected, or just being more present with your loved ones.

Picture this: You’re sitting in a coffee shop, catching up with a friend. She’s telling you about her plans to travel the world, something she’s always wanted to do but kept putting off. You feel a pang of envy because, deep down, you’ve got your own list of dreams deferred. "Valar Morghulis" echoes in your mind. You realize you’ve been waiting for the "right time," but maybe that time is now. Inspired, you go home and start planning, even if it’s something small like a weekend getaway or signing up for a class you’ve been curious about.

Life’s too short to wait. We don’t know how much time we have, so let’s spend it wisely. All men must die, but how we live—ah, that’s the real question.