Carpe Diem Day


The phrase Carpe Diem originated with Horace, an ancient philosopher: “Carpe diem quam minimum credulo postero” [Translation: pluck the day, trusting as little as possible in the next one”] Horace, Odes (23 BCE).

Today, we roughly translate the phrase as “Seize the Day” and infer it to mean we should fully take advantage of all the opportunities life affords us, wherever and whenever they appear.

In other words, not just hope in what the future may bring, but enjoy the present and cherish life’s small joys.

In modern-day culture, we are reminded of this with Robin Williams’ exhortation to his students in the 1989 movie Dead Poets Society. We mourn the comic’s death to suicide since he, despite his outward humorous comportment, could not find joy himself.

Are you trapped in the everyday humdrum? Or do you take time to seize the day?

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