Carpe Diem…Seize the Day!

By January 11, 2010Uncategorized

Having just received word recently that a good friend of mine has stage 3 cancer, gave pause for thought. Hearing news like this brings up several thoughts and emotions actually, including facing one’s own mortality. There is one school of thought that suggests that we live each day as if it were our last. The implied message is that life is too precious to waste, and sadly many of us do waste time, or simply kill time. Ironically, when people learn they are going to die soon, many do an about-face and LIVE. The truth is, most of don’t know when we are going to die. As a result, we take much for granted. Living a life with no regrets isn’t easy, but its worth a try every now and then to take a risk (and calculated risk taking is an advocated coping technique for stress, for it give you a sense of empowerment.) So seize the day today, or a part of it and hold up your hands in victory for living your life in the present moment, which in truth, is really all we ever have.

• Stress Tip of the Day
Make a list of five things you always wanted to do in life. Add to this list five simple things that you could do right now (e.g., call a friend, see a matinee movie, etc.). Pick one thing on this list and DO IT! Don’t wait till tomorrow. Enjoy life now!

• Books Worth Noting:
I may have already mentioned this, but its worth mentioning again. Go out and pick up the book, The Geography of Bliss, by Eric Weiner. Its more than a book about arm-chair travel, it’s a book about focusing on what really matters in life. AND… its really informative, creative and funny—an excellent read.

• Photo of the Day:
While visiting Sitka, Alaska, last summer, I ran into a college friend of mine (small world) whom I hadn’t seen in some 35 years. Tamma knows the meaning of carpe diem. After a very serious health issue in which she nearly died, she’s back on her feet and shown here in the victory pose from climbing a mountain in Sitka, something she never thought she might do again. Thanks for the inspiration, Tamma!

• Quote for the Day:
“If you’re not living on the edge… you’re taking up too much room.”
—Anonymous

Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 10 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Managing Stress (6E). He can be reached through his website:www.brianlukeseaward.net

© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.

Brian Luke Seaward

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