Carpe Diem!

That's Philosophical #34

This may be the shortest phrase to have so much meaning to it. I am writing an entire issue about these two words. It holds so much power.

Carpe Diem is translated as “seize the day” in Latin. Mention of this aphorism dates back to 23BC when the poet Horace wrote:

“Seize the day, put very little trust in tomorrow”

Here we are, more than 2000 years later, still discussing, still finding answers to life. This might be one of the most influential thoughts ever written.

Why it works

It tackles multiple problems of human life at once- procrastination, meaning, and fear of risk.

Putting off stuff is natural and we like the comfort of it. But what if we seized the day and put off our procrastination for later?

What if the point of life is to enjoy living every day? That might be the point of Carpe Diem. Make every day you live amazing, it’s in your hands.

One of the biggest challenges to overcome for us is the fear of starting. Seize the day! is a reminder that we can’t keep living in fear.

These thoughts are so simple yet we constantly need to be reminded of them.

“We are food for worms, lads.”

-Mr. Keating; Dead Poets Society

Some keep-in-minds

People often have a problem with others telling them to go and do anything they ever wanted. First, it makes people feel guilty because of the feeling of missing out. And second, because taking blind risks is… risky.

I have a problem with the first thing. Knowing that you are in control of your life is so much responsibility and you just feel bad because you are not using all the perks of being alive. But at the same time, we are already enough and we don’t need to prove anything to others or to ourselves.

Being in control doesn’t mean we know what to do. So I guess feeling like that is natural. I always feel like I am missing out on so many opportunities.

There is also a problem with being so pushy with these quotes. Don’t seize the day every single day. You need rest and it’s okay if sometimes you just don’t do anything.

Carpe diem is a celebration of the present moment. Living your life to the fullest is the only way to live it. It is also a symbol of spontaneity- a tool that can be used against laziness and almost always results in good memories.

Using this moto means seeking pleasure in the present, but it doesn’t mean forgetting about the consequences. Remember to enjoy life while still keeping your values and moral principles.

Gather ye rosebuds

Amongst all the noise of today’s world, remember to think about death sometimes. An end gives it meaning.

Just imagine how many great memories were formed after people whispered “carpe diem…” to themselves.

“Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today
Tomorrow will be dying.”

- Robert Herrick

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Thank you guys for your patience as I try to navigate through my writer’s block and probably laziness. The hardest thing about sharing my thoughts on consistency is actually using my own advice. This is how hypocrites are born I guess…

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