Carpe Diem

Credit: Aaron Gray

This is the day the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24

In other words, no matter how bad things look today, we need to put a smile on our faces, have a good time, or make like we’re having a good time, and get on with it.  This is the best day we have.  The Pollyannas will tell us that things will get better.  They lie.  Whiskey and wine are about the only things that improve with age.  Once we reach maturity, it’s a one-way street, and all downhill.  Tarnish doesn’t get shiny, rot doesn’t become solid wood, rust doesn’t become steel, paint doesn’t unpeel, and we don’t get quicker reflexes, run faster, have greater strength, or more endurance.  Our organs get tired and less inclined to do their jobs, and diseases our bodies sloughed off for years and decades are welcomed in and given a home.  If we want joy in our lives, if we want our lives to have meaning, purpose, or fulfillment, if we want to satisfy a dream, learn something new, get a better job, stand-up for ourselves, or find love or happiness, we need to either accomplish it today, or at least set priorities, ignore naysayers, eliminate distractions, and make a serious step in that direction.  And no, 'planning' to do it some time later when we are more ready is not a serious step.  There may be no tomorrow, and even if there is, we’ll be less capable to take advantage of it.  Time is wasting.   Carpe diem!