Seize the Day

Carpe Diem and The View From Your Window

This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalms 118:24

I know I was dreaming, but it all seemed very real. I saw a man go to a window and as he looked out, he said, “Your view looks to the past.”

Well, whoever heard of such a thing? How can a view from a window look to the past? It obviously looks to the present, the here and now, the moments.

Whenever the window of our souls or the windows of our minds begin to see only the future, it means one of two things. On the positive side, it bespeaks strategy, planning and downright HOPE! On the other hand, counselors tell us when we only look to the future, it is easy to slip into a state of anxiety, being anxious about something that has not happened.

To look to the past also has a double lens. On the one hand, it is reflective, introspective, and can be a look into our thoughts, past actions, and characters. However, if we stay looking into the past, we begin to wander down the road of regret and tend to get lost.

No wonder the Psalm writer gave thanks for the day. The word THIS implies the present, the now, today, THIS is the day the Lord has made. We have a choice on how we will view the day – both to see it and to seize it.

Carpe Diem, according to Dictionary.com, is used to urge someone to make the most of the present time and give little thought to the future. It is Latin for “seize the day,” a quotation from Horace, Roman lyric poet in the time of Augustus. The day is a gift of the present. Sure, some days we would like to flip a day or two ahead or relive special memories of yesterdays.

And not every day is filled with rays of sunshine, but rather overcast skies filled with lightening, thunder and rain. These days can be hard to maneuver especially during times of loss, trauma, or abuse; and can overwhelming with sadness, sorrow, and grief. Those days seem like nighttime all day long, and It would seem we can’t even catch a break or our breath!

But there is Son-shine and rays of hope. Psalms 30:5 says, “… weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning,” and morning is the beginning of a new day. While the night is dark, lonely, and long, morning must come because it is God’s order of Creation. Joy will come in the morning – joy, a fruit of the Spirit, (as opposed to conditional happiness… which is another blog!) will come.

Morning will come and with it, the energy of joy and gladness to seize the day. I don’t mean to oversimplify, but when God lines up a brand-new day, it is reason to rejoice, for it is filled with His promises.

The past can be a wonderful place to visit with its panoramic view, but we can’t live there. We already have.

The future can hold promise and excitement, but we can’t live there either – it doesn’t exist in time yet. The uncertainty is difficult to maneuver and trying to get comfortable there makes us lose sight of life today, life in the moment, the now view from our windows.

But today, moment by moment, is to be cherished, celebrated, and anticipated with delight, because God has given us a new day filled with hope and promise. Even amid life’s circumstances, we can find a reason to rejoice.

So, if you will, do me a favor. If you are struggling with “this day,” find some things for which to be thankful. Set the timer, and just make a gratitude list. Surrender to seizing the moment, then moments, and let the joy of today wash over you. Let the joy and love of the Lord fill your space. Dwell there and experience the joy there. Call a friend, send a text, draft an email and be grateful.

And when tomorrow comes, do it again.

###

Thanks…Giving

Take a walk with me down the memory lane of Thanksgiving.

We encounter packed stores with long lines of people scrambling and gathering items to prepare their signature meals. Empty shelves and freezers once stocked full of macaroni and cheese, turkeys, hams, and sweet potato pie ingredients gone viral. Landscapes full of beautiful fall colors of mustard yellow, tan and burgundy for our eyes to see. Watching the children laughing and playing in their yards full of crunchy fallen leaves is such a treat. Inhaling the fresh and pleasing aroma of food cooking as I walk into granny’s house.

“Mmmm it sure smells good in here, is the food ready yet?”

“Not yet but you can grab a knife and start peeling those potatoes if you want to speed up the process.”

“Yes ma’am, and can I have the cake mix bowl when you’re done?”

“Sure, as long as you don’t tease the rest of the kids with it.”

Sitting on the couch impatiently anticipating my favorite cousin’s arrival never gets old. Auntie turns on the music and we have fun dancing and working up a hefty appetite. The chatter is intense as hordes of family members and friends in the room exchange words and catch up on lost time. Alas, the food is complete, the table looks immaculately delicious, filled with a variety of food. Now we can eat but not before we wash our hands, bless the food, and share why we are thankful. All the children call dibs on granny’s banana pudding, not realizing that the first and last scoop always goes to the eldest grandchild who just happens to be me.

“Whew that was delicious!”

Now we’re all sitting around stuffed, but still going for second helpings as some are going for their third. The night commences with more music, dancing, games, laughter, a couple of fights over something meaningless, pictures and the most interesting family stories.

The lasting picture in my mind is of my grandmother sitting in her chair tired and content, with the most beautiful smile on her face as we all gather around to exchange goodnight hugs and kisses. These were the good old thanksgiving days that are hard to restore.

Although It hasn’t been this way for a long time because the people who made it so special are no longer here, these are the memories of thanksgivings past that I will cherish for a lifetime. I hold on to these memories as they remind me of the importance of just being thankful and appreciating life. It reminds me that thanksgiving should be a lifestyle that is amplified every day that I open my eyes. For some people (myself included), the expectancy of life and the grief over loss simultaneously triggers hybrid emotions of sadness and thankfulness. This time of year produces memories that remind some people of pain and trauma which extinguishes the joy of thanksgiving. At times, even the perspective of my own heart’s position is not happy during this time of year. However, my heart remains thankful, for God alone gives the gift of life and makes it possible to live through even the worst pain and situations.

As we look in the mirror, we stare back at the biggest reason to be thankful which is not the reflection alone, but our eyes which allow us to see. For when our eyes open by no means of our own, we know that we are alive. It reminds us that we have been granted a new day, another chance and opportunity to live and to be thankful for the ballad of love trickling down from heaven. Thanksgiving in context of the word, is a choice that doesn’t come as easily as it should for some. But what if I told you that thankfulness is a product of our experiences and relationship with God? Would you believe me if I told you that amid our pain, as tears roll down our cheeks, we can still be thankful? Our growth and character are enhanced during our moments of despair when we take the time to give thanks in all things. The experience of thanksgiving at its finest is in our hearts. So, whether you are standing up or sitting down, look around, inhale, exhale, feel the skin that you’re in, and remember that this my friend, is reason enough to be thankful.

It is taking time to push pause, even if for one day, to enjoy the fruit of togetherness, happiness, artistry, newness, seeking to kindle God’s internal voice amplifying His nonstop glory and majesty.

BP Guest Blogger- Telina L Fleming