I live in a place that looks like this:
I crave places that look like this:
Our current environment sometimes feels like this:
I crave environments that make me feel like this:
…A month ago we returned from an extended vacation, part of which was spent in Italy. (A place that had been on my bucket list for a very long time.) We spent time in the hills, the valleys, in the mountains, on islands, in castles, and in a gondola drinking in life and beauty.
Previous vacations at Versailles and in Amsterdam have taught me to expect valuable lessons to emerge in the midst of our rest and adventure. So towards the end of our time in Italy I paused to reflect:
*First I savored everything we were seeing: Green and blue landscapes and skies filled with puffy white clouds…
*Then I remembered the regrets of a dying friend: As he told his wife that he wished they’d taken more vacations together.
*Then I pondered how temporary everything is as I thought of:
- Lives and cities that were destroyed with the eruption and fallout from the famous volcano Vesuvius
- Endless examples of cities that were built on of ruins of older cities – many of which are lonely ruins today or have yet another layer of life happening above them
EMPHASIZING the words spoken throughout Italy, “Carpe diem.” ~ Seize the Day!
After our time in Italy, we spent a few weeks with our families seizing days!!! We hugged, we visited, we ate, we sat by campfires, we played games, we watched movies, we swam, we looked at stars, and we soaked in more green and blue landscapes. …And I drove a car for the first time in 16 months! (Something I can’t do where we live.) I opened the sunroof and the windows and let the wind whip through my hair! Ahhh – pure joy!!!
And when the time came to go back to our expat lives, I struggled with feelings of exchanging endless freedom for a box. (I know my grandmother felt that way when she was moved from her home to an apartment, to assisted living and ultimately to a nursing home. And I know that at some point all humans will struggle with physical, mental, or emotional limitations that may be real or imagined.)
[Tweet “Boxes make it much more challenging to seize the day!”]
A few times my struggle was so intense I had to go off by myself and just walk and pray and focus on the things I am thankful for right now: A wonderful husband, a loving family, amazing friendships, lots of adventure, tons of personal growth, a deeper understanding of our world, and the ability to visit places that I’ve only seen in movies, pictures, and on maps.
A few days later, we boarded our plane to head back to our expat life. As we flew across the ocean, I watched Dead Poets Society just so I could watch the scene where Robin Williams reminds the boys in his class to, “Seize the Day.” …And I willed myself to do the same.
When we landed we learned that Robin Williams had taken his own life. There was no way to miss the power of this lesson now. Even as his life was ending, I was watching him in living color, reminding others to seize this day, and live it to the full.
Today… Is the first day, of the rest of YOUR LIFE.
- You can seize the day by being thankful for the blessings in your life.
- You can seize the day by doing something outside of your comfort zone.
- You can seize the day by doing something to grow yourself.
- You can seize the day by doing something for someone else.
- You can seize the day by asking for help.
- You can seize the day by not looking back.
- You can seize the day by learning something new.
- You can seize the day by taking a stand.
- You can seize the day by listening more intently.
- You can seize it by forgiving someone.
- You can seize the day by trying again.
[Tweet “Do what you can, with what you have, right where you are.”]
How will you seize today?
Chery – this post is one of your best yet! It is powerful, evocative and emotive … and I can truly empathize with you! To know freedom is a joy and to be thankful for that joy is something not to be forgotten.
I loved the images and the descriptions … and I felt there with you! Thank you so much for sharing such a humbling experience. By the way … the Etruscan countryside is fabulous!
Kind regards
John
John – Thank you! I had to smile when I read your comments as I can sometimes predict what posts people will love, and sometimes not.
This was one of those posts that fully captured my experience, but it was so personal I was not sure how it would resonate with others. And then it caused people in my network, which have NEVER commented to comment on Social Media.
So what is your favorite part of Italy?
I love this post Chery. Seize the day — carpé diem has been a favorite of mine and my business for many years.
I seize the day by …
-Giving thanks for what I have because it neutralizes all the “what I don’t have” blues.
-Giving my all to my business while taking time to enjoy the beauty of the day.
-Giving my mind permission to be curious, open to new possibilities, make mistakes, grow …
Wonderful post.
Kate
Hi Kate!
I love your list of how you seize the day! (I agree that it ALL starts with thankfulness!)
Carpe Diem my friend!
This post makes me think of when I was growing up and all the big dreams I had of things I would like do to. I had dreams of being a famous musician, a famous actor, or famous writer and later on, after I took my relationship with God more seriously, I imagined that I might one day be the pastor of a thriving and successful church ministry. Well, none of those things happened, at least not the way I imagined them. In a way all those things happened, but on a different scale. I did act for a while in a dinner theater in Bismarck and even had a lead role once and even got paid for it. Pretty cool but far from what I imagined. Still, I am very thankful for having had the experience. As for music, I’ve played in some bands over the years as well as on my own. I’ve played mostly to small audiences and the songs I’ve written have been recorded only because I paid to make that happen. Again, not what I was expecting and yet again, I find myself very thankful for the experience. I’ve written a lot of short stories and poetry in my life, none of it ever published, but after I got married, my wife and I (who also writes poetry) self published a book of our poetry together. It’s a small thing, but something I’m glad we took the time to do. Finally, I have yet to become the pastor a large, thriving church ministry. No, I pastor a small street ministry that barely gets by and only reaches a dozen people or so at the moment and yet, this is where God has me and I know it has made a difference to some people who badly needed something. So none of it has been the perfect thing. None of it has been or led to exactly what I was expecting or looking for, yet I don’t regret having done any of it, because had I said no to any of these “small” opportunities, surely, mine would be a life less lived.
Mike – I am so glad that you are seizing days! No matter what the results appear to be you are leaving a legacy for your children! (Also keep in mind that many of the apostles are imacting our world today at a much higher level than they ever got to see.)
I don’t think you’ve met Madeline yet, and I promise that this will be worth your time. http://consultgiana.com/leadership-unhinged/
Thanks for the great reminder. I appreciate the grace that provides another day. I can seize this one, regardless how I’ve done with all those before it. Thanks. Mike…
Thanks for the comment Mike. I agree with you that grace is a HUGE part of seizing the day. (Have you ever looked up the meaning of the name Giana?)
Very inspiring Chery!!! Seize the day! Absolutely LOVE it!
Thank you Cindy! Have a great weekend!
Chery, this inspires me to “seize the day” on days when all you want to do is run away!
It helps to think of people who are less fortunate than us, making us realize how much we ought to be grateful for in life and all the besutiful things you mentioned above.
Thanks !
Tanya – It is so great to see you here! (On the blog as well as in the sandbox!)
I read something years ago that made me instantly realize that the root cause of darkness in our world, our thoughts and our emotions – is a lack of thankfulness. So I have learned that each time I struggle that it is important to walk into it and admit what I am feeling even if that brings expressions of anger or fear or tears and then pray and focus on all that I have to be thankful for.
I am so looking forward to our upcoming book discussion!