When I first heard the phrase carpe diem, I had no idea of what it means. It turns out carpe diem is one of the most famous phrases through. The term was first appeared in a poem by a Roman author named “Horace”. It has become very well-known using arts, business, internet, and other media. As fast as life moves this day and age, most decision must be taken rather rashly, because if we just sit and overthink the consequences of our decisions, we won’t have time to appreciate the day. It’s all about the perception, be optimistic, don’t stress, be proud of who you are, then one’s will benefit from carpe diem. However, carpe diem ideology can have both, negative and positive outcome in life: by embracing the carpe diem philosophy, you will seize big opportunities, discover your true self, devalue the future, and be determinism.
First, there is always once in a lifetime opportunity you get to catch. The choice we make whether to take that opportunity can be both, positively and negatively impact our future. It can mean to better you for tomorrow. Opportunity is the chance at something great; it can mean a lifetime of great things or depression. When strikes, you must seize the opportunity opening new doorways. For example, it’s like if there was a pretty girl that you liked for a while and you supposed that she liked you too. You even fantasize a future with her. When this dream girl finally comes around, you just wasted the opportunity by not expressing your true feelings for her. Believe me, you will have regrets for not let her know how you felt.
One of the benefit of the carpe diem ideology is that it helps on the development of self-discovery. First, self-discovery is the first step in a personal development. It is when you gather knowledge and understanding of your own self, values, character, needs, and purpose in life. Living a life based on the carpe diem philosophy, brings you an exploration of your inner self to discover your true self, your potential, your purpose in life, and what essential principles are guiding you to take different pathways. Which can also include exploration of your own interests as well as hopes and dreams for the future.
Although, there are negative aspects as well we it comes to the carpe diem lifestyle. One of which is the value of rediscovery. Carpe diem made it clear that you must seize the chance. Instead, what about building the present for the future. In spite of the fact that capturing your everyday life moments may appear insignificant, studies prove that making document of your present produces unexpected advantages by permitting future rediscoveries. Rediscovering the past has always been undervalued. In a study done by Ting Zhang, one participant put it, “Re-reading this event of doing mundane stuff with my daughter has certainly brightened my day. I’m glad I chose that event to write about because of the incredible joy it gives me at this moment.” By storing ordinary moments today, you can make today a “present” for the future.
Carpe diem can take away your free will. Do you think you are determined or not? Determinism believe there is no free will. They also support the idea that “all events are the necessary result of the causes” (Lawhead,267). Unless you are a determinist, knowing that your life has already been determined, you can make whatever decision you want, assuring that won’t affect the future. By living with that principle, you will not willing to seize the day. You will instead laid-back thinking whatever you do is determined. William James quote, “determinism leads us to call our judgments of regret wrong, because they are pessimistic in implying that what is possible yet ought to be”. If determinism was true, everybody should, by correct, not sense any guilt or feel regret since there was no other outcome.
Every day, opportunities are knocking on your door and you must decide whether to seize the chance or play it safe. When you think about your decision, you can get overwhelmed. It is true that in life we always have regrets, but by taking advantages of those moments will be otherwise.