Carpe Diem: Seize the Day!

When I was younger, I lived in the future. My thought was consumed by the future and how it could turn out.

I have always dreamed of success. As a young man, I saw successful people as an inspiration. I stand in awe of those I perceived to be important persons. Mostly these are famous people or those esteemed by others as worthy of admiration.

Consequently, I acted in a way that would reinforce my thoughts. I studied as hard as I can even with limited resources and exposure so that I can prepare myself. I was very hopeful and looking forward to the future I knew I wanted. I have not always been as diligent as I would like but I did what I could.

I never considered anything wrong with this idea. Adults were extolling the need to focus on the future. I thought they should know it better so I followed their lead.

Why Today Matters

But now that I’m a bit older, I have come to realize that the future is not entirely in my hands. Yes I can work as hard as anyone to give myself a better shot to a happy life but there are many things that can happen which I can’t possibly do anything about.

This thought has led me to believe that the future is not ours to claim. I cannot possibly predict how the future will look like. Moreover, all of us have a limited time that we cannot be certain the future includes us.

Indeed, this is a gloomy thought to ponder. It has the potential to take away one’s hope on the future. But that shouldn’t be the case. We should just be more appreciative of the fact that in the future reside possibilities but not certainties. But the present is what we all have that we should take advantage of.

Everything we do and think now may or may not affect our future. It’s a matter of how much weight we give to a time we have no certainty of knowing. I would not advocate being stupid by living as if there is no tomorrow. But we shouldn’t fail to appreciate the present and live more grateful of the moment. It’s the only thing certain.

… As If It Were Your Last

I have often heard the advice to live our lives as if it were our last. I have given this advice some thought and realized that if I did believe it was my last day on earth, I wouldn’t go to work at all but just be with my family for the remainder of my time. If everyone heeds this call, no one would come to work which wouldn’t do any good at all.

So I wouldn’t live everyday as if it were my last but I need to acknowledge and appreciate how precious the present time for what it’s really worth. I believe the future should be in our thoughts but the present should matter more because of the fact that time is a precious resource that will run out whether we like it or not!