Carpe Diem
What exactly does “live in the moment” signify? For those who grew up in the 1980s like me, Robin Williams’s unforgettable line in Dead Poets Society, “Carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your life extraordinary,” may come to mind. In the movie, the main lesson conveyed is that of living life on your terms.
I tend to focus more on the “seize the day” sentiment. It is an exercise in living that I grapple with daily. If I had to have only one goal, it would be to master living in the moment. Why? Because it may be the key to inner peace and happiness.
When we stop fretting about the future or bemoaning the past, we’ll likely discover that life will become far more manageable and productive. Worrying about outcomes that have yet to manifest or regretting mistakes long after the ink has dried expends precious energy that we could channel elsewhere.
We only have control over what lies before us at this very moment. Reminding ourselves regularly that the future is not promised and that the past is long gone might go a long way toward keeping us tethered to the present. Moreover, each moment in time deserves our full attention because we may not understand the significance of it until later.
So, despite the promise of a peaceful, contented existence, why are few of us yet to master the art of living moment to moment? Understandably, our current societal framework makes doing so challenging. With the constant onslaught of media propagating our worries and fears and the buzz of modern life, it sometimes feels impossible. Furthermore, age factors in our mindset.
The behavior of the young is a conundrum. Children’s innocence, sense of invincibility, and immortality make it easier for them to think and act according to what’s tangible; they have little use for the past or future. Yet those characteristics also make them careless in appreciating life, as they see no end. While adults may better comprehend the importance of daily gratitude, they’re often too beleaguered and dizzy from the hamster wheel to stop and smell the flowers.
Though well-versed in how fleeting life can be, I’m still guilty of forgetting to live each day to its fullest. When my sister passed unexpectedly during her prime, I thought for sure that I would never again take life for granted. But for a period following the trauma, I lived in paranoia about the future, fearing that the lives of my remaining loved ones would also be eclipsed without warning. And for years, I agonized over the painful loss, the permanency of it, and my lack of control over it lingering like a festering wound in my heart.
I didn’t genuinely start appreciating the gift of each new day until it dawned on me that I had taken every blessing in my life for granted. Instead of relishing each one while I had the time, I’d wasted precious time and energy focusing on things that weren’t even within my control. Only when I recognized that I did my sister a disservice by not taking advantage of every moment left in my life did I understand its meaning.
How many days have passed in which we haven’t done anything to lift our soul, help someone, or spend quality time with our loved ones? How much time do we spend trying to cheat death instead of living in the moment when life is certain?
Ultimately, it’s up to us to teach our young to respect life and treasure even the seemingly trivial moments. Each of our lives has a purpose written in the stars. And until it’s met, we’re meant to live, learn, and love. So, embrace the moments as they come as if they’re the last. Fill each with love, joy, and kindness. Let that be your legacy. Carpe diem!
