Lately I’ve been inundated with targeted ads on social media, which I’m sure those of you who are on social media know what I’m talking about. Now, I’m not saying the work or don’t work, but one in particular keeps grabbing my attention. It’s an ad of a coin with “Memento Mori” on one side, and “Momento Vivere” on the other. I have heard the expression “momento mori” countless times, but “momento vivere” was a new on to me.
“Momento mori” is a saying in Latin that roughly translates to “don’t forget to die.” Many have tried to understand the meaning behind it. The most consistent understanding is it is supposed to be a reminder that life is short and to live in the moment. I had to do some digging for “momento vivere.” What I found is that it roughly translates to “remember to live,” meaning to take time for yourself and make every moment count. Though both try to roughly make the same point about enjoying life because it is short, I will just focus on momento vivere since momento mori sounds more bleak if you don’t understand it.
Momento vivere came to mind the other day as I was spending some time with Burrito. I’m not a psychologist by any means, so I’m not sure why certain thoughts hit at certain times, but in that moment I thought about the last couple of years I have spent with him and his take on life. Burrito is kind of the living embodiment of those sayings. He doesn’t seem to dwell on the past, and is not too concerned with the future. He lives in the now, and every moment he has he doesn’t want to waste them.
My time with Burrito is always such an experience to me. Not only do I get to call him friend and spend probably too much time with him (though I don’t think he thinks the same on that one), but he always keeps me grounded. I am 100% that type of person who gets lost in their own mind; worrying about the future and regretting some of the past. But with Burrito, all that goes away and I am present in the moment with him. I’m not sure how to communicate to him so he understands, but I try to thank him every day for the reminder and keeping me in the now.
The larger message is that this is sanctuary life. Being able to just enjoying these moments of calm and tranquility. Yes. There are moments of anger, frustration, fighting, yelling, etc. But it’s those quiet moments (as seen in the video) outweigh the others for the most part.
He can’t/won’t read this, but thank you Burrito, my friend.
Some bonus photos
I couldn’t decide which one to post, so instead here are both of the photos I captured of Rayne with her “Bonobo Lucy and her Baby Yuli” during lunch. One where Rayne is a little out of focus, but you can tell it’s her Lucy book. The other you can’t tell what book it is but Rayne is in focus.
Chad, a very interesting and insightful post as always. I’m right with you on the many lessons that our dear Bubba teaches us about living…..both in appreciating friends and having quiet moments alone to reflect and enjoy. Thank you for a lovely video, and great photos.
That’s a good post, Chad. Since we are plagued by a drought here, it is good to see snow, and people like your bud Burrito to enjoy it.
There is a song I really like called Vivere or Dare to Live and says “Dare to live until the very last, dare to live forget about the past.”. It seems Burrito and the others are trying to take these lyrics to heart.
Interesting post and love the pictures.
He knows, Chad. He knows
What a beautiful post Chad. Through your words (and the blog every day as well as videos) Burrito is touching all of us. Thank you to all of you… and to each individual CSNW sanctuary resident for being “them”. . . Special thanks to Bubba for all the smiles he causes to ripple throughout the world.
Maybe Burrito observed Cy reading Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now and he’s living it. Wish I could. But we human primates get too focused on the before and the after and not NOW.
Thank you for the lovely photos, especially the ones of lady Raynee. 🙂 And yes, animals – any kind of, not only chimpanzees – have always fascinated humankind with their ability to stay more in the present (which doesn’t mean they don’t recall memories or have insight into the future, we just don’t know enough of their minds), and yes, we humans with our incredibly mental capacity to travel back and forward in time – I mean in mind – we lost this capacity that we once shared with animals. Hence the long tradition of meditation of any religious of spiritual practice and today’s trendy mindfulness – seeking the ways of staying in the present is not a modern phenomenon. And my guess is that animals don’t sense (nor need) our gratitude, but they do sense (and need) our love and care, so the result is the same for them. But we can’t help being grateful, right? (so human and lovely!) (We here in Europe are historically more familiar with the term Memento Mori. lots of medieval buildings, sculptures and paintings bear the famous M.M., the second part – Memento Vivere – is new for me, anyway, memento and momento are not related words.) Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Hi Chad, this is a touching post. Actually, your sweet bond with Mr. B touches me deeply. The fact that Burrito chose you to be a close friend and companion, that he so enjoys your company, that he seeks you out (especially for his favorite running adventures on the hill!), and you make him as happy as he makes you…….well, it’s all too marvelous for words. This alone should make every regret you have melt away. Besides, you can’t worry over regrets. In the end, even what you regret made you who you are right now. And right now all of you are incredibly fortunate because you live and give from your hearts. Burrito wouldn’t be bursting with joy and silliness today without your love and support. “Friend” sounds like such a simple word but it’s a massive shoe-of-a-word to fill comfortably. Thank you for always sharing your friendship with Burrito.
And thanks for today’s life lesson. Seeing everyone quietly savoring the moment in the video (especially Negra!) was a good way to make me stop for a minute to reflect on how much pleasure I derive from this one small sanctuary in Cle Elum. Thank you my friends!
For some very strange reason, when i see Negra, i get tears of love, as i just feel so much seeing her there. I love her little budda belly, sorry Neggie you do have a wee cute budda belly. But also seeing all the chimps doing what they want to do, is a lovely sight. A wee question, do the chimps get cooked veg or just raw ones for that extra crunch? Thank you all for ALL that you do. And please blow Neggie a wee kiss from me.
mostly raw, cooked on special party days (Thanksgiving, Christmas, or when there’s time)