I’ve had this post stewing in my head for sometime now and I finally got a chance to really sit down and get my thoughts together. It was after I read, Don’t Carpe Diem that I knew I had to write this. But understand that this is not a rebuttal or dispute of that article, just my view of those two little words, Carpe Diem.
I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase once or twice. I heard it plenty of times growing up and I probably even put it on my AIM profile under Favorite Quotes when I was 15. And if you asked that 15 year-old me what the phrase means I would have confidently told you, seize the day, make every moment count.
But it was a history professor mid-way through my third semester in college who set me straight on that quote. And it took about 15 minutes for me to realize that I did in fact love it even though I had it wrong the entire time.
He explained to me that the word carpe would more closely translate to the word pluck instead of seize. Pluck in the form of plucking or picking a fruit at it’s ripest point. His definition of Carpe Diem was to pluck the day at it’s best, always knowing that the future is uncertain, but this moment we have.
I’ve always kept that in the back of mind and then I had a baby and it took on a whole other meaning. When she was little I would contemplate those small moments, take them in as I held her tiny body, close my eyes and vow to always remember them. Then it evolved even further when she quickly became a independent and strong-willed toddler.
When she decides she doesn’t want to eat dinner or she doesn’t want to sit in the buggy any longer at the grocery store. When she wakes up in the middle of the night or she paints her face with my mascara.
The moments that we’d rather just be over, those are the moments I need to pluck. And not for memories sake or to take a picture or tweet about.
You see, in my mind it’s a carpe or be carpe-ed life that we live. So those moments that we’d rather just forget, I choose to hold onto them. I learn from them, I write with them, I live with them.
Those are the moments, the ones we don’t like to carpe, that tend to really matter. And honestly? It’s not even that exact moment that I’m hanging onto. Instead, it’s the moment that directly follows. It is how I react, how I fix things, that really needs to be carpe-ed.
And don’t get me wrong at all here. There are days and moments that are completely worthy of Carpe Diem-ing to the very fullest. There are moments and days and even weeks of amazing, moment-savoring, goodness. There are days when a million pictures are taken, milk shakes are shared, and nothing else really even matters.
Those days completely outweigh the others, they outnumber them tenfold. But sometimes I wonder if those days would be as sweet if I hadn’t really plucked those other moments and learned from them.
And when the days aren’t perfect? And nothing magical happens? Well, it’s okay to carpe the heck out of those moments too. Take them, hold them tightly, let your patience grow, pray while you cling to them.
Anonymous says
I wish people would just enjoy those magical moments and not constantly feel the need to share. Why do so many moms not live in the moment,soak it up and really experience what is happening without the need to stop grab their camera or phone?. That alters the event or moment so much. Do people today just want to share everything? . If your baby is smiling smile back not take a picture. It is your life not strangers on the Internet who you have never met!.
Blue-Eyed Bride says
I love this and I love your heart!
Heather says
I love this and you are a talented writer!
Jennifer says
you just spoke to the very part of me that needed to hear this. I’ve felt this way for awhile now and I hate that I’m constantly feeling the “tug of war” that I need to show everyone every part of my life and then the feeling that no one needs to see it all, all the time.
It’s something that I have to work on and I appreciate honest posts like this that remind me that we all have these moments.
Have a blessed day Jennifer
Ashley Paige says
i love this ๐
Nina says
This is SO beautiful, Jennifer!! You better believe I’m going to start plucking. xo
Lindsey says
You are amazing mama!!! What a fabulous post!! I couldn’t agree more!! You have such a wonderful heart and B is so blessed to have you as her mama!! Xo
Hope Lauren says
Isn’t it great how God can speak to us through such small things, and I am sure that he will speak to others through this post. Praise God in the good times, and thank him for the struggles, because our trials will produce patience in us and mature us!
Natalie says
Wow what an amazing post…and I totally relate to this. Those moments we want to rush and get them over with even though we shouldn’t. This really puts it in perspective!
Cajun Cowgirl says
This post makes me smile and reassures me this week when I feel just out of sorts and not my best self as wife, mother, friend. These are the moments that make us grow! Each day is not the destination but the journey.
Ally Garner says
Pluck the best of the day. I love that meaning so much better than “seize.” What a great lesson – thanks for sharing that story Jennifer! And thank you for stopping by my blog yesterday. I’m so thrilled you did. I’ve just had the best time perusing your blog in return ๐ I’ve got you in my Reader now & so look forward to your posts!
Lauren says
LOVE this!!!!!!!!
Leah says
Thank you! I’ve had my own rebuttal stirring about and am so glad to read someone else who felt the need! ๐
Katie @ Loves of Life says
This is so sweet. And so funny because I kind of have a similar post for Tuesday ๐ Not about carpe diem, but more about needing more patience for all those moments, as you say, that need to be plucked ๐
Kendall says
This is so beautiful. Thank you for being so honest, I won’t forget these words. xo
Annie says
Beautiful, Jennifer.