Did you ever question yourself and ask: was my day today worth my while? You are the only one who can answer that question truthfully and honestly. According to the Oxford dictionary, seize the day means “making the most of the present moment.”

To seize the day means to live the moment and make the most of the opportunities at the present time. There is so much we can do in 24 hours and to define our lives by seizing the day makes for such an exciting challenge.

It was the Roman philosopher and poet Horace, who, 2,000 years ago, said this famous line then, which applies more so today — carpe diem. Horace exclaimed: “One should enjoy life while one can!”

Carpe diem is a wonderful way for us to forget our worries, stresses, troubles, disappointments, deadlines and just live for the moment. Because of today’s troubled and challenging times brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ukraine war and wranglings amongst nations, we feel besieged and overwhelmed about the future. Studies have shown that 30 percent of people express worry everyday but the same number of people say that the worry was useless because they were able to solve the problem anyway.

Living each moment and enjoying it to the hilt is the secret to true happiness. In a recent study done by psychologists, it was discovered that 85 percent of their subjects felt overwhelmed by their problems but when they relaxed and allowed their minds to enjoy the moment everything felt better, and they were able to manage the problems and solve it to their satisfaction.

As human beings, we always worry unnecessarily, but when we stop to think rationally, we realize that oftentimes we overthink which is a normal human reaction. I would, therefore, like to share some guidelines I apply in my day-to-day life that I find very effective in living each moment meaningfully.

1. Wake up with a big smile and a positive mindset. Thank God for the grace of being alive to be able to enjoy life and touch the lives of others.
2. Have a healthy breakfast with fresh fruits and cereals. It will set your body into an active mode and give you the energy to exercise and take that brisk walk for 30 minutes.
3. Plan your day right. Engage in an activity you have always wanted to do. Plant a tree. Write a poem. Call the person you promised to have coffee with and meet up.
4. Practice self-care. Spoil yourself and have that check-up to ensure that you are in the best of health.
5. Buy that blue dress you have always wanted. Wear it at home and just enjoy feeling pretty and happy.
6. Commune with nature. Smell the roses. Bask in the sun and feel rejuvenated.
7. Finally — love with wild abandon. Keep your body alive. Swim in the nude in the privacy of your swimming pool. Sing to your heart’s content. Recite that poem you always wanted. Dance to your favorite tune. And love faithfully and completely with all your heart, mind and spirit.

Carpe diem, indeed!