Carpe Diem!
Because life is to be cherished...

- author unknown -

My friend opened his wife's drawer and found a small package wrapped in paper. "That's not just a package. That's lingerie!" he exclaimed. He unfolded the paper and looked at the silk and lace.

"The first time we went to New York, eight or nine years ago, I bought this. She never used it. She wanted to keep it for a special occasion. I believe this occasion has come now."

He went over to the bed and lay the lingerie with the other things the undertaker would come to collect. His wife had just died. As he turned to me he said: "Never save anything for special occasions. Each day you live IS a special already!" These words are now written in my heart and have changed my life forever.

These days I read a lot more than I used to and I clean less. I sit on my porch admiring the landscape without paying attention to the weeds in my garden. I spend more time with my family and friends and less at work. I understand now that life is a collection of experiences to be appreciated. 

I no longer collect things. I use my crystal glassware every day. I wear my new coat to the supermarket if I feel like it. I don't save my most expensive perfume for special occasions. I wear it when I want to. I no longer use expressions like 'eventually I will...' or 'one of these days'. If it's worth it, NOW is the moment I want to see, hear or do it.

I'm not sure what my friend's wife would have done if she would have known tomorrow didn't come. The tomorrow we all take so lightly. I tend to believe she probably would have wanted to see her family and close friends. Maybe she would have located old friends to make peace or apologies for long gone quarrels. I like to think she maybe would have gone to a Chinese restaurant, because it was her favorite food.

It's small unfinished business which makes me nervous if I'd know my last hours have come. It would bother me not to have seen certain friends I was going to visit 'one of these days'. Not to have written those letters I was still planning to write. Or if I hadn't told my loved ones enough how much I care about them. 

These days I don't postpone, I don't suppress and I don't hold back on anything that could bring joy and happiness to our lives. I tell you: each day is special; every hour and every minute of it. 

More Inspirational Stories

How to be an Artist

• Stay loose.
• Learn to watch snails.
• Plant impossible gardens.
• Invite someone dangerous to tea.
• Make little signs that say YES! and post them all over your house.
• Make friends with freedom and uncertainty.
• Look forward to dreams.
• Cry during movies.
• Swing as high as you can on a swing set by moonlight.
• Cultivate moods.
• Refuse to "be responsible".
• Do it for love.
• Take a lot of naps.
• Give money away.
• Do it now. The money will follow.
• Believe in magic.
• Laugh a lot.
• Celebrate every gorgeous moment.
• Take moon baths!
• Have wild imaginings, transformative dreams and perfect calm.
• Draw on the walls.
• Read every day.
• Imagine yourself magic.
• Giggle with children.
• Listen to old people.
• Open up.
• Dive in.
• Be free.
• Bless yourself.
• Drive away fear.
• Play with everything.
• Entertain your inner child.
• You are innocent.
• Build a fort with blankets.
• Get wet.
• Hug trees.
• Write love letters.

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My Happy Heart © 2004 Patricia Ritsema van Eck