The other day I was introduced to a group of people who have been encouraging the concept of Carpe Diem on someone particularly close to me. The recent men in her life have been telling her to stop worrying and nagging about the future so much, and just live. Stop being such a coward, and live life as it comes for the greatest pleasure and enjoyment.

And these are just my two cents: The current take of Carpe Diem as seizing the day and living as though there is no tomorrow? It has now become rather hedonistic. Few people truly get it. You say it is your life motto, but do you get what it implies? For me, it’s not an excuse card to do what you like. Let us not fool ourselves that life is without its consequences.  Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero – "Seize the Day [or pluck the day, if you want to be particularly accurate], putting as little trust as possible in the future.”  It’s to live knowing that the future is uncertain; about not dumping all our eggs and hopes in the concept of ‘there’s always a tomorrow’. But it is not about disregarding the thoughts of the future in its entirety. Our actions are not always solely our own to decide; ourselves and pleasure are not the only variables; the right thing isn’t comforting to do; and every action has a carryover effect on our selves and others. Ripples in a calm lake. Yes, live your life. But there is no need for uncaring, unnecessary recklessness. Know the consequences and if you are willing to risk them, so be it. Sometimes the benefits outweigh the risk. So do it. But understand that you still have to face yourself in the light of the new day.

And if you live life on this merry chase for the next high, what do you do on your greatest day? Because nothing will top it. How would you keep it taint free of the sufferings and worries that will come? Because the only way I can think to preserve that feeling would be to end on a high. To end it, so that the low never comes.

We never know if we will see tomorrow. But that isn’t an excuse; that isn’t a free license to do as you wish with disregard to everything else. Even in death, our actions have consequences on the living.