In the span of just two and a half months, three individuals in my circle passed away—each of them unexpectedly and far too young. One was a dear friend’s young adult son, another was a close colleague who succumbed to illness more swiftly than anyone anticipated, and most recently, a father who suffered a fatal heart attack.

Experiencing these losses has left me reflective, somber, and deeply aware of my own mortality. In the midst of the grief and compassion I feel for their families, I’ve found myself pondering urgent questions about how I’m living my own life:

• Am I truly living fully, or am I sometimes just coasting?
• Where do I hold back—staying safe in my comfort zone—when I could be braver, bolder, and more present?
• In the midst of my own goals and dreams, am I also showing up for the people around me—heart and mind aligned?

These moments of reflection bring me back to two Latin phrases: memento mori—remember you must die—and memento vivere—remember you must live. Togeth...