The Courage to Be Present: Seize the Day - Carpe Diem!
Hello my friends and greetings of the New Year! I have been so inspired by you during this past year. I meet such remarkable people through my work, people who see and know words as incredibly magical and powerful.
To encourage us in our goals this year - let's call them "adventures," as I feel it is more empowering and exciting - I'd like to focus on the phrase from the ancient Roman poet Horace, "Carpe Diem". This translates from Latin into English as "seize the day."
The full phrase is:
Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero or "Pluck the day, trusting as little as possible in tomorrow."
Like a ripe fruit, each day is there for the taking. To be enjoyed and lived to the fullest. Tomorrow is uncertain. We have, in truth, only the present moment.
In our world of constant distractions, it is easy to not be present in our day. Our digital world is full of interruptions which prevent us from entering a focused or flow state, where creativity and productivity can flourish. You know when you are on auto pilot and not fully present - compare it to driving a very familiar route and not remembering any of the details of the drive to your destination!
I've been trying to instill in myself a daily practice of meditation. Even if only a few minutes first thing in the morning or at night before bed. Simply closing your eyes and focusing on your breathing for five minutes is a great calming practice.
If you'd prefer some help getting started, there are a lot of apps out there like headspace, calm or gaia which have guided meditations. I'm also a big fan of meditations by Dr Joe Dispenza, where the sounds and the cadence and the wording are based on scientific study.
How best to take Horace's advice to seize the day? Take charge of your day, focus behind your eye lids for a little (or a long, if you have the time) while, and approach each day refreshed and galvanized.
Thank you for inspiring me!
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For a little reminder of your power and potential to Seize the Day, Horace's words are engraved on a mobius bracelet and also on a necklace. Wear them close to your pulse and close to your heart.
