Cemeteries aren’t like grocery stores that should be seen everywhere, but as I passed by one recently, an inscription on the gate caught my attention:
“We were once like you.”
Without hesitation, I found myself quietly replying:
“And we too, will eventually be like you.”
Not today, maybe, but someday. That is for sure.
Without wanting to sound preachy, the Bible gives us a profound reminder: “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). This verse is an eye-opener, a call to reflect.
We should always be mindful that our time here is limited. Whether we live two decades or ten, the math is simple: our days are numbered.
Have you ever thought about how, the moment someone takes their last breath, all that remains are memories? The body, once alive, becomes just a mass of lifeless flesh, quickly turning into waste, destined for burial. Unless, of course, science intervenes. Certain parts of the dead can be used for medical purposes, such as:
- Corneal grafts from the eyes of a recently deceased individual with no known disease, which are vital for major eye surgeries.
- Hearts and kidneys from brain-dead patients, preserved to save the life of another person with a strong chance of survival.
Other useful organs include the liver, pancreas, lungs, intestines, bones, bone marrow, skin, and corneas. In some cases, the entire body can even be donated to science for anatomical research.
But regardless of how useful one’s body might be to science, the fact remains: once the spirit departs, the human body is no longer of any worth. The elaborate burial ceremonies, the flowers laid at the tomb during anniversaries, all honor someone who is no longer physically present or aware.
Personally, it doesn’t matter to me what happens to my body after death—whether I’m thrown to the wolves or buried in a grand tomb, my spirit will be far gone.
At the end of the day, all the wealth, accolades, knowledge, beauty—everything we’ve worked for—gets reduced to ash.
Here’s something to ponder: No achievement is worth the life of another person, since death awaits us all. The luxuries of this world should never be cherished so much that we hurt others in our pursuit of them.
The line between life and death can vanish in the blink of an eye. It’s sobering, and it’s reason enough to live each day as though tomorrow isn’t promised.
Live a good life—one rooted in honesty and positive impact. Make sure the impact you have on others is one that lifts them up, not tears them down. Live rightly, avoiding chaos and hate.
Life is short. Be quick to walk away from anything that drains your happiness. Your soul will thank you.
Live unapologetically, but also wisely, staying true to what is right and godly. Take control of your life, and don’t let procrastination steal your time, because every 24 hours brings us closer to the grave—the 6-foot home we’ll all eventually call ours.
Tomorrow is not guaranteed.
I once came across a meme that humorously captures this truth:
“People had better start acting right—we’re tired of lying at their funerals.”
Everyone wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die.
“Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it.”
— Haruki Murakami
Born as Titilayo Oladimeji, I have been known by the nickname Titipetral for nearly two decades. I am a Financial Advisor at a reputable financial institution in Lagos, Nigeria, with over 10 years of experience in Financial Advisory and Credit Analysis. I am also an author and the founder of Titipetral Publishers, a duly registered publishing company.
In addition, I lead the Titipetral Empowerment and Development Network (TEDN), a duly registered philanthropic initiative dedicated to supporting underprivileged girls, boys, women, and men in the Alimosho area, Nigeria’s most populated local government, focusing on serving the underserved.
For inquiries or collaboration, you can reach me at Titilayooladimeji@titipetral.com or titipetral@gmail.com.