Cup of Inspiration

“Carpe Diem” means “Seize the Day.” This Latin phrase ties in perfectly with today’s quote from my Franklin Planner.

• “Seize the moment before it’s gone. For another day begins at dawn.” – Clay Harrison

Today, September 28^th, as we approach the close of another month, let’s look at taking advantage of the time we have today rather than putting things off till tomorrow.

Many of us have a list of things we would like to do. Some may call it a dream list, while others may call it a bucket list. One day I’ll travel to that destination. One day I’ll try that recipe. One day we’ll get together for coffee or lunch. The list may very well include a combination of big or small things. It’s okay to imagine taking that dream vacation or buying that dream house. Perhaps this daydreaming may help inspire you to save up to make it a reality.

For those items on the wish list which would be nice haves, but not high priorities, it’s okay to dream even if they don’t become reality. However, there are things we may dream about that we should move off that dream list. There may be items on that dream list that need to be addressed before it’s too late.

Have you pondered taking a vacation that hasn’t materialized? Perhaps it’s not the destination that is so important, but the time spent with family or a cherished friend that needs to be prioritized. That special time doesn’t have to take place on a cruise. That time could be spent at a coffee shop, a restaurant, or even in your kitchen. While it’s okay to plan and save for a cruise one day, don’t put off spending that time now for a little chat. Don’t put off telling your loved ones today how much they mean to you. Don’t delay letting a friend know that you care. You don’t know what tomorrow will bring.

Have you found yourself daydreaming about a change in career? Have there been moments when you fantasize about being in a different work setting, where you are happy and feel fulfilled? Perhaps that vision doesn’t lead to a big paycheck and may not meet everyone’s expectations. However, in your mind you know you could make it work with some proper planning. Has that proper planning, though, been placed on the back burner while you toil away at a “secure” job? Do you keep telling yourself that tomorrow you will do some research on what it would take to start a new business, but tomorrow is always too busy? You add onto your to-do list to check on job opportunities at that other company or to reach out to a recruiter, but then the pressures of your current job force you to move that to-do item out to an unknown deadline.

During that moment you are seeing yourself in a different career, seize that time to take a step. Pull up an article that you can read about what it would take to pursue that career. During that moment, make a call to that recruiter you have been thinking about. Instead of wondering if you have the money to invest in yourself, sit down and do some quick math to get an idea of what it would take. Take that first step. Don’t let the moment fade only to be remembered later in a list of regrets.

We do need to plan and make sure we are providing for our loved ones. We do need to make sure we are meeting our needs before we meet our wants. As the days go by, however, remember that we do not know how many more days we will enjoy. Don’t assume there will always be a tomorrow. We don’t know what opportunities can be gained, or lost, with a new dawn. Seize the day.