Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero” [Translated as: “Seize the Day, putting as little trust as possible in the future”] – Horace
If you catch yourself thinking, “I do that (whatever that is) the next time I have the chance,” consider that there may never be a next time.
This past weekend I had the opportunity to ride in a restored World War II half track vehicle with an Armed Forces Day parade grand marshal (my husband’s uncle, USMC Major General Richard Mills) in the nation’s largest and longest running Armed Forces Day parade.
That opportunity would not have come about if I didn’t seize the moment last Thursday to connect my friend, who coordinates the parade grand marshal invite, with my husband’s uncle, who had recently returned from Afghanistan. I could have let the moment pass me by, thinking that there would be another time to make the call. There may have been, but now I will never have to wonder.
That may have been a big opportunity to grab, but most opportunities that we let pass by are small. The choice between going back in the house to say, “I love you,” to our spouse or child or letting this morning slip by without saying it. The choice between calling a friend or putting it off until another day. The choice between starting on that change now, or waiting until my boss asks me to make the change. Too often you hear of people regretting the opportunities they missed.
You don’t have to seize every opportunity, but remember the second portion of the quote above and put as little trust as possible in the future. Choose to take the opportunity today.
