Carpe diem

Carpe diem is a phrase from a Latin poem. This poem was written by Horace. He must have had no idea that this phrase would create a revolution in the lives of people including me. This has been a theme of many songs and movies in Bollywood and also Hollywood.

This phrase is popularly translated as "seize the day", which means live this moment without worrying much about the future. Future is uncertain and full of surprises, so why waste today, which is a present from god in thinking about what will happen tomorrow.

Why am I explaining this to you all my friends?

This is the after-effect of watching the movie "Zindagi na milegi dobara". This movie has been the talk of the town since its shooting started. Lovely backdrop of Spain, well-written story, seasoned actors like Hrithik Roshan, Abhay Deol and Farhan Akhtar and meaningful songs have left me in awe.

3 friends set out on a road trip to Spain for the bachelor party of one friend, who is soon going to get married. Each one of them has planned an adventure sport and the other 2 have no clue of it till they reach the destinations and they have to experience it on the spot. While trying out 3 different adventure sports, they conquer their inner fears and let go their emotional baggage and become free and stop worrying about tomorrow. Katrina Kaif has a small role where she introduces Hrithik to things which look really small, but change his life and outlook towards life. The person who is always obsessed with money now enjoys the beauty of nature around him and realizes what all he has missed all this time. By the end of their vacation, they are changed individuals and their bonding becomes stronger.

The film leaves you with a good feeling and a thought that have you done everything you always really wanted to do or are you waiting for your 40th or 50th or 60th birthday to do that thing? Who knows if we even see our 60th birthday? How long are you going to run the rat race and mint money and lose out on small things and moments to be spent with your loved ones?

The other day, I was talking to my close friend, Aabha and we discussed about what things she would like to do before she departs this world and she had a long list. I was surprised at her list. I told her if you have so many passions and interests, why are you stuck in this corporate rut and complaining about it day in and day out? She had no answer. Her priority now is earning money because she has to repay her loan, which is quite understandable. Quitting job might not be possible at the moment, but then she can always take up something in parallel to her job. This will keep her going and also give her strength to fight it out at the work place. Isn't it?

Earning lots of money is not everything. We should also be able to enjoy the money that we earn and we definitely lose out on many wonderful moments of life while trying to make more and more money.

So friends, think about it.

Take something up which charges you up, gives you immense pleasure and brings a smile on your face. There might be things, which money can't always buy you. Try to find such things.

Life will be definitely very different then.