Carpe Diem
 
by Tanya Queiro, 2009 Military Spouse of the Year

One my high school teachers used to have a banner hanging in his room, “Carpe Diem”. Latin for “seize the day”, carpe diem was to become a cornerstone for classroom dialogue and a meaningful phrase that has remained with me to this day. My teacher always reminded us to preserve through life’s uncertainty and unease and “seize the day.”

Whether it is a solitaire moment of tranquility, the completion of your “to do” list, the selfless act of a genuine friend, the glisten of rain reflecting playfully on newly-bloomed flowers, or the unconditional love and smile of a child…seize the day. Do not allow strife to overpower you. Grab hold of opportunities, holding on tightly as to not let them pass by. Capture and store your positive emotional energy, falling back on its precious memory when tough times drag you down.

I truly appreciate my teacher’s philosophical approach to life, as it has guided me through numerous life challenges. By seizing the day, I can refocus on the important things in life vice the trivial distractions that are of little consequence.

How do you plan to seize the day? Share your plans with me at tanya@milspouse.com