The finite nature of life is a topic that often triggers fear, uncertainty and rejection in us.

But precisely in this finiteness lies a deep wisdom that has helped me to live a more conscious and fulfilled life. The thought of death can remind you that your time on earth is limited – and it is precisely this limitation that gives every life a very special value.

When you realize that you won’t be here forever, you can start to appreciate the present moment more. If life were infinite, it would be possible for every human being to do all things imaginable. This may sound tempting, but if everything is always possible for everyone, every deed loses its significance.

Instead of getting lost in to-do lists or unimportant details, you can focus on really being in the here and now. Life becomes more intense and you can enjoy the little pleasures – time with friends, a good conversation or the sunrise in the morning – much more consciously.

Death can also be a wonderful motivator. It can stop you from putting things off or falling into endless procrastination. When you realize that we only have a limited amount of time, your dreams and goals become more urgent. It seems more important to change jobs, write a book or go on a long-awaited trip. Death forces you not to postpone the things that really matter to you until “someday”, but to actively strive for them.

For me, it was also a very liberating realization that – after my death – no one will be able to remember me in two generations. Maybe there is still a picture on a windowsill somewhere and people will associate me with a name and perhaps a sentence that summarizes my entire existence.

At first, this thought might seem depressing, but it is also very liberating to know that my actions in the here and now don’t have to leave a mark in the future and probably won’t either. So I can be much more liberated in the here and now instead of having to worry about leaving a “legacy”.

At the same time, dealing with finiteness encourages deep reflection on one’s own life. You may start to ask yourself the question: What have I achieved so far? What else would I like to do? How have my relationships shaped my life?

This self-reflection has helped me to grow more consciously and develop as a person. It is an ongoing process that constantly brings me closer to myself and my true values.

Death can also make you more emphatic.

Knowing that we all share the same fate connects us in a deep, human way. You can begin to better understand the worries, fears and joys of other people and treat them with more compassion. Your relationships can gain depth because finiteness invites you to focus on the essentials: real connection, understanding and love.

If you can really accept the finite nature of life, you will automatically start to set new priorities. Things that used to seem important – such as professional success or material goals – are becoming less important. Instead, personal fulfillment, genuine relationships and inner satisfaction are coming to the fore. Death can help you to let go of the unimportant and focus on what really makes you happy.

In the end, coming to terms with death also offers us the chance to find peace. If you can accept that life is transient, it is easier for you to respect the flow of life and be less afraid of the unknown. This acceptance brings an inner peace that can enable you to understand not only life, but also the thought of the end as a natural part of our existence.

Instead of fearing transience, you can also see it as a kind of reminder that encourages you to live your life to the full – with all its ups and downs. By being aware of finiteness, you may gain the strength to live more courageously, lovingly and consciously.

A highly recommended book if you want to delve a little deeper into the subject is “The Five Invitations” by Frank Ostaseski.