art of being here

Isn’t it fascinating that even in the medieval times there existed a reminder urging people to live in the present instead of worrying about the future? 

Carpe diem.

This Latin phrase, which literally means “pluck the day,” was used by the Roman poet Horace to express the idea that we should enjoy life while we can.

It reminds us that life is fleeting, and we should cherish the moments we are given.

When we look back through history, we find countless examples of humans imagining what lies ahead. Flying cars, robots, alien invasions, and endless fantasies—the future has always been a canvas for speculations.

We cling to tomorrow because, at times, it’s our only hope—the only thing that feels promising. We look forward to tomorrow because it offers the possibility of change.

But what about the present? What about now? What about this moment?

Do we ever stop to acknowledge the life we are currently living in, to be grateful for what we have, rather than anxiously running towards what may come next?

Across generations, people have been accustomed to and conditioned to constantly plan, predict, and prepare. We map timelines, set goals, and chase after milestones. But in doing so, we quietly drain the joy from the present. The joy of simply existing. The joy of giving little thought to the future. The joy of not knowing. And the joy of being here—now.

There is a strange comfort that is found in the uncertain. If today is difficult, tomorrow might bring relief. What if tomorrow is better than today? Maybe every tomorrow is a little better than yesterday, but we often fail and forget to notice the progress. 

What will happen tomorrow is for tomorrow to be dealt with. What happens now is what we are always going to be here for.

Tomorrow will take care of itself when it arrives. Right now is all we truly possess.

So, carpe diem—seize the present because this moment is the one that will always belong to you.

Alisha Nasim is a seventeen-year-old from India with an unhealthy obsession for finding new hobbies. She runs purely on coffee and cat memes. A firm believer of something-is-better-than-nothing and a creative enthusiast, she has been published in the Summur Magazine, Apricus Literary, Dyonyzine, and more.