CARPE DIEM - Seize the Day!

“Forever is composed of nows.” - Emily Dickinson

It matters a lot to me to write on this platform. So though I am always running against the clock, I decided to shell out some time and share with CCI, something that I gravely believe in. Living TODAY!!! And yeah! This ain’t like my earlier articles which are stretched across pages and pages. Rather I have abridged the whole idea to save time, because the whole write-up talks of the same. No doubt my vocabulary has suffered because of not having written much, but please try to bear up with it.

CARPE-DIEM!!

We have this unexplainable habit of living in the past and fantasizing of the future all the time. We tend to forget that Today will someday become yesterday, and if we don’t do anything worthwhile today, we won’t even be able to cherish this day even for a moment in future.

Basically referring to the current status of mind of the Articled Assistants (I can understand that being one myself), we often tend to fantasize about vacations while on work and as soon as we get an opportune moment to actually seize the a day off, we spend it either planning or even worrying about the work that’s piling up on our desks while on leave. We actually never live in today. We never live THE NOW. Same is the case with those are employed, have their own businesses or even those who are retired, self-employed, etc. Either people end up cherishing what good times they had OR end up planning for tomorrow and the many other tomorrow’s to come.

And ofcourse, a little worry is undoubtedly good. Seizing the day doesn’t mean you stop remembering all the good times you ever had, or for no reason does it encourage the habit of not planning at all. One must still strive to prepare for a better you, a better tomorrow… but never at the cost of today.

These are some small li’l ways you can enliven your TODAY because that’s the only day you are sure of living… And if you’ll enjoy living today you will surely live more of such today’s in your tomorrows to come… So to start living today:-

1. Start your day with your hobby. It might be feeding the birds, jogging, listening to your favourite songs, helping others with their chores or even as simple as sitting beneath a tree.

2. Give your Cent Percent. Am reminded of the famous dialogue in the legendary movie, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, “When you have to shoot, Shoot. Don’t talk.” i.e. when you know that you are in office to work. Work. When you study. Study. And when you play, forget everything and just play. Don’t end up mixing things. It leads to confusions.

“What you can’t get out of, Get into, Whole-heartedly” – Mignon Mclaughn

You know you can’t escape work, no matter how hard you try. Why not enjoy it? Why not really try to acquire the skill and work in such a way that you don’t have to do it again? Why not get involved in it completely and also try to involve others so that you don’t feel alone? And frustrated?

Get Straight-forward: This is the greatest attribute any person can ever possess. Straight forward doesn’t necessarily mean Arrogance. It’s the conduct from which self-respect springs. Set your priorities right. Demarcate well what’s right and what’s not. And don’t ever be ready to mend it. You’ll be amazed to see such a wonderful you after adopting this attitude.

Lend a Helping Hand: It’s scientifically proved that helping others helps the brain release feel good chemicals which end up making you feel worthy making you enjoy NOW. I know people usually refrain from this. Most of the people around you might even not be deserving the help. But how about giving them a chance? If they revert the good feelings back, well and good, if not, they know they won’t have a helping hand again.

Give voice to those who can’t stand up for themselves. Stop a kid from beating a poor li’l puppy. Teach him to be compassionate towards other beings and you will surely end your day with a lighter heart, a better day, a better today, a better now. You will surely be away from the mounting pressures in your mind, have a more peaceful attitude towards your near ones.

To end I would quote David Nicholls’ words:

“Live each day as if it's your last', that was the conventional advice, but really, who had the energy for that? What if it rained or you felt a bit glandy? It just wasn't practical. Better by far to simply try and be good and courageous and bold and to make a difference. Not change the world exactly, but the bit around you. Go out there with your passion and your electric typewriter and work hard at...something. Change lives through art maybe. Cherish your friends, stay true to your principles, live passionately and fully and well. Experience new things. Love and be loved, if you ever get the chance.”

With this, I end my side of the talk. The Ball is in your court now.