Seize the Moment

  • This kind of goes along with the thread about dreams....Thought it was interesting that it arrived in my email today. Live each moment...Some may think it is a little flakey - sorry. For most though, it is just a reminder to live the moment.


    TAKE HOLD OF EVERY MOMENT

    >
    > A friend of mine opened his wife's underwear drawer and picked up a silk paper wrapped package:
    >
    > "This, - he said - isn't any ordinary package."
    > He unwrapped the box and stared at both the silk paper and the box.
    >
    > "She got this the first time we went to New York, 8 or 9 years ago. She has never put it on. Was saving it for a special occasion.
    > Well, I guess this is it. He got near the bed and placed the gift box next to the other clothings he was taking to the funeral house, his wife had just died. He turned to me and said:
    >
    > "Never save something for a special occasion. Every day in your life is a special occasion".
    > I still think those words changed my life.
    > Now I read more and clean less.
    > I sit on the porch without worrying about anything.
    > I spend more time with my family, and less at work.
    > I understood that life should be a source of experience to be lived up to, not survived through. I no longer keep anything. I use crystal glasses every day. I'll wear new clothes to go to the supermarket, if i feel like it.
    > I don't save my special perfume for special occasions, I use it whenever I want to. The words "Someday..." and "One Day..." are fading away from my dictionary. If it's worth seeing, listening or doing, I want to see, listen or do it now. I don't know what my friend's wife would have done if she knew she wouldn't be there the next morning, this nobody can tell. I think she might have called her relatives and closest friends.
    > She might call old friends to make peace over past quarrels. I'd like to think she would go out for Chinese, her favourite food. It's these small things that I would regret not doing, if I knew my time had come.
    > I would regret it, because I would no longer see the friends I would meet, letters... letters that i wanted to write "One of this days".
    > I would regret and feel sad, because I didn't say to my brothers and sons, not times enough at least, how much I love them.
    > Now, I try not to delay, postpone or keep anything that could bring laughter and joy into our lives.
    > And, on each morning, I say to myself that this could be a special day.
    > Each day, each hour, each minute, is special.
    > If you got this, it's because someone cares for you and because, probably, there's someone you care about.
  • One of my favorite Carpe Diem themed poems:


    TO THE VIRGINS, TO MAKE MUCH OF TIME.
    by Robert Herrick


    GATHER ye rosebuds while ye may,
    Old time is still a-flying :
    And this same flower that smiles to-day
    To-morrow will be dying.

    The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
    The higher he's a-getting,
    The sooner will his race be run,
    And nearer he's to setting.

    That age is best which is the first,
    When youth and blood are warmer ;
    But being spent, the worse, and worst
    Times still succeed the former.

    Then be not coy, but use your time,
    And while ye may go marry :
    For having lost but once your prime
    You may for ever tarry.
  • I enjoyed reading them both - thanks!

    Jenaya - I completely agree with not keeping stuff for 'best'. My mum does that all the time - yet the occasion has never come round yet where she wants to use the - best silver, china, dress or jewellery. I am 32 years old now - we've had 2 weddings, 4 births and a graduation in my immediate family, but the 'good stuff' stays kept away. I wear my new clothes as soon as I get them - I want to look my best NOW!

    Love Amanda x
  • Both of these threads (this one and "Dreams") are so true. The truth is, today, this very moment, will never come again. Once it's gone, it's gone. Life is too short not enjoy because we are a certain size, certain height, certain age, whatever. We have to live for today.

    Hugs!

    M'Chelle