A week ago, on Christmas eve, my aunt died. She became no more. The end.
A day after, on Christmas day, a young Lagos lawyer was murdered in cold blood by a criminal employee of the Nigerian Police Force. She too became no more. The end.
These sad events triggered me throughout the week. I was really hit hard. Knocked down. I decided to stay down deliberately to feel into my emotions (still toxically forming hard guy…SMH). Whilst there, I kept asking myself again and again: What is the meaning of life and living? Why do we go through it all? How can we go through it all? What is the essence of all the wahala? How do we cope with the sense of existential nihilism?
Unfortunately, I still do not have answers to these nihilistic questions and I can wager my last N50k that nobody else does. However, I do not believe we should commit ourselves to despair. Instead, we should use hope as an armour and as a weapon — as required. I am therefore trying to live in peace with the knowledge that life is indeed an attenuating sinusoidal wave. I recognize it is not easy because every day, we must deal with the vagaries of life whilst establishing and nurturing relationships (at home and at work), eking out a living and doing business (ethically and responsibly), raising (physically and emotionally) healthy kids, contributing to society (meaningfully and impactfully), and importantly, doing the things one loves (how and when one wishes to).
Perhaps we could pause here and read the following lines three times over…letting the message within sink in.
Gather ye rose-buds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today,
Tomorrow will be dying
These sad, yet beautiful lines make up the first stanza of Robert Herrick’s poem: To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time. It was first published in 1648 and it extols the notion of Carpe Diem. Carpe Diem is generally translated to mean “seize the day” — a call for people to make the best of the present moment and not waste time. It is a philosophy that recognizes the brevity of life and the need to live for and in the moment.
Today, I recommend the following practical ways to embody the Carpe Diem mindset in 2023 and beyond. Hopefully, they will be helpful for managing the inevitable highs and lows in our lives.
1. Set goals and make a plan: Identify what you want to accomplish in the near future and create a plan to achieve those goals. This can help you stay focused on what you want to achieve and make the most of your time.
2. Practice gratitude: Take time each day to appreciate what you have and be thankful for the present moment. This can help you stay present and focused on what really matters.
3. Take risks and try new things: Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try new things. This can help you grow and learn new skills, and it can also add excitement and purpose to your life.
4. Stay present and mindful: Practice mindfulness techniques, such as meditation, to help you stay present in the moment and not get caught up in negative thoughts or distractions.
5. Connect with others: Spend time with people who matter to you and cultivate meaningful relationships. These connections can bring joy and purpose to your life and help you make the most of every day.
What is life, if full of care, we have no time to stand and stare — Henry Davies
I have really come to love the Carpe Diem philosophy. I am continuously trying to embody it in my thoughts, words and actions. I therefore hope & pray (wink) for the strength, courage, wisdom and means to further develop my Carpe Diem muscles in 2023 and beyond. I hope you do too.
Happy New Year.
Odiong
Postscript
Whilst it would be nice to claim wisdom for the five recommendations in this write up, I will not. As an ethical professional, I hereby acknowledge that I got them from my new ‘experimental’ friend ChatGPT https://chat.openai.com/chat (Od: What are the practical ways to embody Carpe Diem in 2023?).
Na wa o! AI applications have really taken over…but that is story for another day.
Post Postscript
Should I get that tattoo?