It was a long day for a young student named Jason: He had received three projects from his professors that all happened to be due on the same day. Exhausted with his routine he sighed saying “I can’t wait until I graduate.”
Lisa a successful associate in her law firm restlessly worked diligently with the drive of eventually making partner for her boss had told her it would happen sooner than later. These two characters though anxious for their next steps in life missed the beauty of living in the present moment. Rather than enjoying the positive experiences with their classmates or colleagues both became so consumed with their next step that had simply forgotten where they were still standing.
Motivation to accomplish certain goals or to be promoted to a higher rank is something to be admired especially in a society where individualism and ambition are appreciated. However if such force begins to devour a person at the expense of truly seizing the experience at hand then it is simply not worth it. True growth takes place when one can positively dwell within each stage of life without constantly looking forward.
Now by no means should one avoid looking forward completely so as to truly live in the “now for that would be foolishness. Nonetheless, there must be a strong element of contentment in every stage in life; otherwise, it will flash in and out so quickly that one could wonder if and when it even began.
For instance, John, an employee at the local market, had plans to be a renowned filmmaker. Several of his coworkers found their occupation to be lowly and discouraging. They did their job at the bare minimum, never wanting to even carry any conversation with the customers. All they spoke of among themselves were their plans to leave as soon as possible to move to a different vicinity. John, on the other hand, though holding tightly to his own dreams to become a filmmaker, made the most out of his experience at the local market. He cheerfully developed friendships with the many customers and even received a raise from his boss. His time as an employee at the local market will always remind him of positive memories because his eagerness to grow into his dreams did not interfere with his ability to enjoy his stay.
Often, we forget that the Latin poet Horace did not simply end his statement Carpe Diem” there. His complete thought was as follows: “Carpe diem quam minimum credula poster which translates to, Seize the day counting little on tomorrow.” It is important to be reminded that tomorrow is not promised; thus if every thought and action one takes deals with investing in the future we risk investing in nothing at all.
To thoroughly enjoy and make full use of the day it is crucial to remember that each new day is a gift. To be able to open your eyes in the morning and live out your current circumstances is an opportunity many people do not possess. Thus one must be careful when planning out his or her future for becoming too anxious for what is to come can undermine what is. And after all what is is really all that there is.