Written By Alan Good
This is the only moment you have. This is it! This moment is where you are, what you are doing. Any decisions you make are made now. There are no past mistakes, no future to worry about. What you are doing you are doing it, now.
Carpe Diem. You may have heard this phrase. It’s Latin and literally means “pluck the day”. It was used by the Roman poet Horace to express the idea that we should enjoy life here—now. It is part of the larger “carpe diem quam minimum credula postero”, meaning “pluck the day, trusting as little as possible in the next
Another quote, albeit morbid in nature, is, “Memento mori”, a Latin phrase meaning “remember you must die,” and refers to a philosophical concept of reflecting on the inevitability of death to live a more meaningful and appreciative life.
The saying, “the only thing we truly own in this life is moments in time”, emphasizes the fleeting and precious nature of the present. It suggests that possessions, even our own bodies, are temporary, while experiences and the memories they create are what truly remain with us. This idea should encourage people to live in the present and appreciate the now.
The famous shortened phrase “seize the day” is a call to action to live fully now, rather than postponing things or relying on the future, which is unknown. Seize the day, trust as little as possible in tomorrow. It serves as a complete injunction, urging people to make the most of the present moment because the future is uncertain.
Now the good news. You control how you think at this moment. You control what you think about, this moment. You may sit and moan about your present life, that’s your call. Or you may be mindful of the present and be at peace with it. You can live intentionally and make each moment count.
Try directing your thoughts to positive ideas. This is not positive thinking. This is thinking about what you have, what you have to offer to others. This is directing your thoughts away from yourself and toward others. Forget what you haven’t done (or have done but regret).
By seizing the day, we look at what we have to offer NOW. The time we spend at this moment is the time we have—the only time. We look outward at changing others or changing the world. Instead, we should look inwards and change ourselves. Can you be more loving, compassionate? Can you provide a word of encouragement to others?
If not, look inside and seek to be that person you wish to be. Meditate on that person, that ideal.
An oldie by the Chambers Brothers, “Time Has Come Today”, to me, celebrates the unknowns of time, appreciates the time we have, and accepts that life is short. The song addresses how time is often fraught with sadness and frustration, but we are also rewarded with powerful experiences.
Now is the right time or necessary moment for something to happen or for an action to be taken. The conditions are right—if not now, then when? Cuckoo!
