Seize The Day

KEATING
"Gather ye rosebuds while ye may."
The Latin term for that sentiment
is Carpe Diem. Now who knows
what that means?

Meeks immediately puts his hand up.

MEEKS
Carpe Diem. That's "seize the day."

KEATING
Very good, Mr.-

MEEKS
Meeks.

KEATING
Meeks. Another unusual name. Seize the
day. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.
Why does the writer use these lines?

CHARLIE
Because he's in a hurry.

KEATING
No, ding!

Keating slams his hand down on an imaginary buzzer.

KEATING
Thank you for playing anyway. Because we
are food for worms lads. Because, believe
it or not, each and every one of us in
this room is one day going to stop
breathing, turn cold, and die.

Keating turns towards the trophy cases, filled with trophies, footballs,
and team pictures.

KEATING
Now I would like you to step forward over
here and peruse some of the faces from
the past. You've walked past them many
times. I don't think you've really looked
at them.

The students slowly gather round the cases and Keating moves behind them.

KEATING
They're not that different from you, are
they? Same haircuts. Full of hormones,
just like you. Invincible, just like you
feel. The world is their oyster. They
believe they're destined for great things,
just like many of you. Their eyes are full
of hope, just like you. Did they wait until
it was too late to make from their lives
even one iota of what they were capable?

Because you see gentlmen, these boys are
now fertilizing daffodils. But if you listen
real close, you can hear them whisper their
legacy to you. Go on, lean in.

The boys lean in and Keating hovers over Cameron's shoulder.

KEATING (whispering in a gruff voice)
Carpe.

Cameron looks over his shoulder with an aggravated expression on his face.

KEATING
Hear it?


(whispering again) Carpe. Carpe Diem.

Seize the day boys,
make your lives extraordinary.

- from the movie, Dead Poets Society

I apologize for the long dialogue, but it is the foundation of today's post. It comes from one of my top-ten movies called Dead Poets Society. It is a deeply moving story that centers around one high school scholar who has to battle his overbearing father who controls every aspect of his life and his love of the art of poetry and drama. It is a must-see for anyone looking to be inspired and challenged at the same time. As seen in the dialogue above there is a theme of "Carpe Diem" that runs through out the film. How many of us have grown content with life's routines? How many of us complain about the dullness of life and do nothing to change it? How many of us need to wake up and seize the day?

First, everyday is unique. When we wake in the morning we need to rid ourselves of the notion that somehow today is going to be no different than yesterday. Each new morning is a new creation from God that the world has never seen before and a morning that will never be seen again. What a honor it is to witness the Creator in the midst of the creating process. In school we learn that "matter cannot be created nor destroyed", but how awesome it is to watch God break the laws of physics by creating something from nothing. So when you say, "Today was nothing special", you are selling short the Creator and his creation.

Second, everyday is a chance to start anew. Not only is everyday unique, but each new day gives us a chance to start over. How crucial are new mornings to our families? Whether the argument was between spouses, parent and child or brother and sister, each new day is an opportunity to start over with the ones we love. Whatever harmful words were said, whatever regrets we have; all of it is left in yesterday. Each new day is chance for the ungodly sinner to repent and change things for the better. All of us who fall short need to seize every day of forgiveness that God offers. There are some who like to throw the sins of yesterday in our face, but thanks to be God that the blood of Jesus Christ wipes away the sins of yesterday and allows to start anew today.

It is time this summer make the most of each new day God is going to bless you with. Don't grow content with the routine, but seek out new possibility hidden within your routine. It is time to stop complaining about dullness of life and do something about it. It is time to make the most of every opportunity. It is time to wake up and SEIZE THE DAY


CJE


Coming Next Week: Unfortunately this was my last post until September since I am leaving for Shiloh next week. I will try to repost old pieces, but there will be nothing new until the fall. So for the two people who read this blog I do apologize, but I hope you come back in September.