I first learned about this phrase, carpe diem, in high school when we were studying poetry in literature class.  Since then, it has become my motto in life.  Carpe diem, or seize the day, originally coined by the Roman writer Horace in Odes, reminds me of how I must take advantage of my day and to not just let it pass me by.  Sure, there are many times that I have not seized the day, but I come back to this phrase over and over again to remind me how I should conquer life.

I seize the day (and night - carpe noctem) by learning as much as possible, by creating and pursuing new ideas, and by helping others fulfill their dreams.  I seize the day by asking questions, by providing answers, and by wondering about things.  I seize the day resting, by daydreaming, and by sleeping.  There are so many ways to seize the day, but in my own little way, I do so by helping my friends, colleagues, students, clients, and family members achieve their goals.  Goals such as building a business, planning a career, and in improving their communication skills.

How about you?  How do you seize the day?  What is your favorite motto?

My goal was to arrive by 9 am. I woke up on time. Just a little past 8. I know I would be in by 9. It only takes 10 to 15 minutes to get to work. Twenty minutes at the most. Even with traffic.

I waited outside my building 20 minutes before 9 am. I’m going to be on time.

He stood outside waving at me. Should I ride with him today? No. He charges 100 pesos. I pay only 50 to 60 pesos in a cab. No thanks.

It was already 8:50. Ten minutes was enough to soak my shirt with shirt. Ten minutes was way more than enough for sweat to trickle down my legs. Still, I thought positive. I have 10 more minutes to get there.

But the taxis came and went. Some filled. Some refused to take me.

I would not achieve my goal. Still, I tried to remain positive.

I walked a block, trying to find share. And a taxi of course. I raised my right arm. I tried my left arm. No taxi. Sweat drenched me.

Still, I tried to remain positive even as if more taxis refused to go in my direction. I should have offered them a tip. I was greedy. I would only pay 50-60 pesos because that’s what I normally pay with my destination.

I was cheap.

Thirty minutes passed. I could no longer think positive. My mind was filled with red, red, red. Anger. Hate. Disgust.

Do I deserve this? The answer is a resounding yes! I get what I deserve. All my actions in the past led to this event. All my thoughts in the past led to this. If I wanted to change this situation, only I could do it. No one else. No one will. Sure, I will need the help of others. But the change I want must come first from within.

I deserved to be soaked and drenched in my own sweat. I do not want that anymore. But I know that it will happen again. I just have to get one step closer to not letting it happen again.

What will I do?

I will think of wealth and abundance. I will attract prosperity and happiness into my life. It starts in my mind. To think positive. To change my behavior. And if I do this, I know that my thoughts are compelling me to change my life. The universe will conspire to bring it to me. The law of attraction has been activated.

I simply need to visualize myself, with my own driver to pick me up in front of my doorsteps. My own car, with my own driver.

He says, “Hi Chris. Let’s go. We will be just in time.”