By Dr. J. Michael Flynn July 2016
Most of us have heard the phrase “Carpe Diem.” The words date back to the Roman poet Horace in 23 BC. It is two Latin words that are usually translated to “seize the day.” Carpe is interpreted as “enjoy, seize, and make use of,” while Diem means “day.”
The 1989 movie “Dead Poets Society” rekindled the phrase when the English teacher, played by the late Robin Williams, famously says, “Carpe Diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.” In fact, this line was voted as the 95th greatest movie quote by the American Film Institute.
Do you stop to consider how you are going to “make use of the day?” Not just your chores and daily routines, but the “millions” of other things you do. Are you taking the opportunity to “seize the day” for yourself and those around you?
Did you get a good night’s sleep before your day begins? Researchers vary on how much sleep is needed, but they mostly agree that we need five hours uninterrupted sleep to achieve rest. There is no question that those who get a good night’s rest are best prepared to enjoy the day.
The first meal of the day is supposed to be breaking the fast of sleep. Breakfast is commonly referred to as “the most important meal of the day,” particularly for children. Research indicates that having a healthy breakfast lowers risk of metabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases. Are you taking the time to enjoy a nutritious breakfast?
There are many ways to make your life extraordinary. Adding fruits and vegetables to your daily diet, recognizing how important drinking water is to your health, participating in some form of regular exercise and being optimistic are ways we can make the day and healthier living more enjoyable.
Will you choose the mindset to make use of the day by reaching out to others with words of encouragement, sharing a smile and the attitude of gratitude for all the blessings you enjoy? Being thankful and thanking others is important.
Horace described “Carpe Diem” in terms that we do not know what the future holds for us, so enjoy today. There will be challenges for sure and for some, tragedies that are unthinkable. Life can be hard and requires courage to get back up, if knocked down. The author Victor Hugo said it this way: “Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones.”
The often used quotes, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the Present” has great meaning, as does “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” These are thoughts to be embraced with the will to make every day special – even extraordinary.
We have the opportunity each day to make a positive difference in our world. It is the choices we make and the attitude we alone possess and bring to each day.
Thousands of years ago “Carpe Diem” was penned in a poem. It is as relevant today, as it was then.
Originally published in POV magazine