carpe diem
Whether in an ancient oft-discarded language or the modern management double-speak of today, we all want to live in the moment. But before you write off anything as dead or irrelevant just remember that physicists have long been telling us that with every breath we inhale an atom exhaled by Julius Caesar. Get your head around that fact and it’s incredible that such a simple action, a life-giving action, connects us to our deep past. And everyone else’s for that matter.
If you knew you had only 12 short months to live, what would you do with them? And what’s stopping you doing them now? I’ve been in the position of knowing someone who was faced with this dilemma and it certainly focuses the mind on the here and now. Sadly, the dreams and aspirations that those final months should have yielded, didn’t and we should all take heed of this reality. Start now. The fear of starting something is often bigger than the actuality of doing and the only way to start is to start.
The process of starting something should begin with a rethinking of how it is you’re going to measure the success of the escapade. Don’t be limited, or trapped for that matter, by the opinions of others, or by families, society or culture – remember, you’ve only got 12 months and what remains afterwards shouldn’t cloud your thoughts. Having said that, you may wish to think about building a legacy within that time and our thoughts may turn to what we want to contribute to the time that comes after ours. My own view on any legacy is that it’s the IMMEDIATE snap-shot of memory that matters: what is the IMMEDIATE first-thought that pops into your mind when you think of someone, is it a happy one, do you see a smiling face and a generous personality?
So, on the basis that a small step can be the start of a great beginning, or end, here are one or two ideas for building a better, healthier and more fulfilling relationship with yourself and those around you, whether it’s an hour, a year or a lifetime:
– Hit the pause button and take time out to understand what you’re doing and where you’re heading.
– Appreciate the simple things. At the risk of sounding like Boy George, there’s nothing like a good cup of tea, y’know.
– Take your time. In today’s world we favour quick results and crave instant gratification. But what might we achieve if we decided to dedicate years rather than weeks to something? God forbid you start something that sparks a lifetime’s interest!
– Focus on the here and now. Even though both are vitally important don’t be too quick to either delve into your past or thousand yard stare into the future.
– Create a ‘to-do’ list and a ‘done’ list and do refer back to them.
– Get some kip. I know it’s a great saying that ‘you’re a long time dead’ but to appreciate the things you experience and enjoy, you do need to get a good night’s kip.
– Take stock of the things that matter and get your priorities (whatever they prove to be) in order.
– Be nosey. Go on, be a devil, take a different route to work, go meet someone knew, get out of your comfort zone and set yourself a good challenge or two.
– Enjoy the company of others. Facebook friends are not real and no-one gives a hoot what’s said on twitter so go meet your pals for a beer and a gas.
– Having said that, don’t ignore yourself and your own thoughts so do spend some time alone. Think, read, listen but don’t you dare put the box on!
– Get outside and feel the seasons change. We do still have them, I believe. And with the cost of fuel sky-rocketing we might as well get used to the cold again!
– Play the long game. OK, let’s hope you do have more than 12 months so make a long bet. Dare to predict something you think will happen, either to yourself or to society, sometime in the future. Time travel anyone or a sub-12 Ironman time for me?
Well, what are you waiting for!
