Carpe Diem – 5 Ways to Seize Today

A few months ago, I wrote a post for WWKD about Making Everyday a Special Occasion. Having broken out into a rash when using perfume I’d been “saving”, I decided it simply wasn’t worth saving my fanciest potions and creams for a rainy day. I’ve been pretty good at following my own edict – I’ve painfully thrown out bottles of perfume, used up make-up and even started to get over my deep seeded fear of wasting a spectacular outfit on an unremarkable day. It wasn’t until recently when a family member was diagnosed with an illness out of the blue that I really started to think about living life outside of the box – and beyond expired beauty products. Life is short, even when it doesn’t feel that way. A wise co-worker once told me that the “days are long, but the years are short”. A perfect adage to keep in the back of your mind and one that I’m truly working on embracing. If I don’t make the most out of every single day I have, I’m only going to look back on it with regret. And while I can live with lots of things, I can’t live with regret.

To that end, I sifted through thousands of quotes and narrowed it down to 5 edicts that sum up how I want to approach life and printed them out and recite them to myself as mantras. That is what I will share with you today; 5 ways you can stop just getting by and really start living – which is undoubtedly a most refined thing to do.

You can be Anything, but not Everything

Quite possibly the best quote I’ve read in YEARS. It truly spoke to me as it screamed out that there was literally nothing I couldn’t do… But that I couldn’t do it all. How true is this? It forced me to sit back and think about what is important to me. What is important that I do everyday, every week, every month, every year. And the knowledge of what is important is how I will seize the day in not wasting my time doing things I don’t enjoy or on projects I’m not fulfilled with. It’s empowering (you can do anything) and yet realistic as well. 

Waiting Can’t be a Habit

If I had a dollar for every time I was going to start a diet on Monday… A project “later”… An exercise regimen next month… I’d be a wealthy woman. I’ve been waiting for a sign, waiting for a friend, waiting for a sense of accomplishment, waiting for a direction. It wasn’t until I stepped up and decided what I wanted to be (see “You Can be Anything”) and then decided I couldn’t wait any more for it to (never) fall into my lap and went out and did it that things started happening.  What are you waiting for?

You’re Worth It

Perhaps the best advertising tagline ever, this one hit home because I spent a lot of time doubting myself. Here’s the thing. If you don’t believe in and love yourself… No one else will either. How does this help you seize the day? Well, you need the confidence in yourself to get up and accomplish your dreams. You rock!

Grace and not perfection

Did you know that something like 90% of all women have issues with perfectionism? I count myself amongst that bunch, as it took me many years and many tears to realize that I can’t do everything I want to do perfectly… But I can do it all with grace. I heard a speaker recently who mentioned that women often held themselves back by trying to unrealistically attain a level of perfection which they’ll never get to and often give up along the way. You’ll never seize the day by giving up!

Passionate Randomness

I’m passionate about many things, and quite frankly, they’re random. While that used to make me think I needed to narrow it down or change them, I discovered that it makes me unique and my passion towards things is what makes me great at talking, writing, presenting or discussing about them. You should embrace your “randomness” too – and I’m sure you’ll find your calling.

What are your mantras? We’d love to hear – and be inspired!