Carpe Diem: 7 Ways to Live Life Fully

The Bold Life Carpe Diem

Last week, as I sat at a red light, I witnessed a motorcycle accident. On Wednesday afternoon, at 5:07 pm, a 23-year-old male hit a pick-up truck and forever changed his life. 

He lost his leg and a whole lot of blood. He wasn’t wearing a helmet. 

Immediately, help poured out from the coffee shop across the street. As I drove past the scene, I called the prayer line, Silent Unity. 

The number is listed under favorites in my cell phone. I believe I was there, in that spot, for that reason.  Silent Unity is a prayer ministry. The staff will pray 24/7 for 30 days per your request. 

I asked for Divine Order. If that were my child, lying on the pavement as traffic buzzed by, I would want someone to do the same. I believe in the power of prayer. 

Two days later, I discovered his injuries were no longer life-threatening. I’ve been thinking about the meaning of life a lot lately. 

It’s time for us to come together, seize the moment let go of what we’re not and become who we really are. 

Let’s examine how we can experience life fully.

1. Live for today.

When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy and to love. ~ Marcus Aurelius 

Don’t procrastinate. Don’t wait for someday. Go after your dream. Give it all you’ve got, even if it’s only an hour a day. Use the talents you were given to serve others. Have a mad love affair with life. Begin now. 

2. Let your family and friends know that you care.

The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and for deeds left undone. ~ Harriet Beecher Stowe 

The quality of your life depends on the quality of your relationships. Create good times. Give away the love you want to receive. Forgive often. Express gratitude and appreciation. It’s all about love; everything else is secondary. 

3. Invent. 

You are one thing only. You are a Divine Being. An all-powerful Creator. You are a Deity in jeans and a t-shirt. Within you dwells the infinite wisdom of the ages and the sacred creative force of All that is, will be and ever was. ~ Anthon St. Maarten 

You are an all-powerful creator. You are an inventor. Don't be afraid to try. Write. Paint. Dance. Sing. Be original. Add value. Put it out there. Celebrate.

4. Prioritize.

Begin doing what you want to do now. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand, and melting like a snowflake. ~ Marie Beyn Lyons Ray 

Make a to-do list. Do your most important tasks first. Don’t put things off because they’re difficult. Avoid distractions. The rest of your day will flow. You'll sleep at night.

5. Simplify.

Sometimes our stop-doing list needs to be bigger than our to-do list. ~ Patti Digh  

Say “Yes” to what you want. Let go of what no longer serves you. Live with less. Replace bad habits with good ones. Get help for an addiction. Get out of your own way. Be at peace.

6. Be a go-giver.

There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up. ~ John Holmes 

Author Bob Berg advises us to focus on contribution and adding value to the lives of others. What you give will return to you tenfold. If you want help, be helpful. If you want love, be a loving person. Give what you want to receive. 

7. Be courageous.

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. ~ Maya Angelou 

Replace fear with action. Focus on what needs to get done and do it. Find an accountability partner. Be inspired by others who are doing great things. Do what you have to do. Say what you need to say. Live without regrets. You only have today. Use it wisely.

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Leave your thoughts below.

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  • Anne-Sophie July 14, 2013, 11:21 am

    I love #2, Tess. It’s so easy to forget to say that you love someone and truly care about them. I know I’m guilty of that a lot. Great reminder!

    • Tess July 15, 2013, 1:01 pm

      Anne-Sophie,
      I hear you and that’s why I included it and the quote that says it all!

  • Dan Garner July 14, 2013, 2:19 pm

    Powerful list Tess. Thank you for sharing. I’m going to bookmark so that I’ll remember to return and review this list.

    Dan Garner
    Zen Presence – Ideas for Meaningful Living

    • Tess July 15, 2013, 1:02 pm

      Dan,
      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts! I appreciate you.

  • Cathy Taughinbaugh July 14, 2013, 3:23 pm

    Love the list, Tess. I too witnessed an accident last week. We were within 5 minutes of it on the freeway. The police were there, so was not aware of the injuries, but it does serve as powerful reminder to live life fully. Thanks for the tips. Number 1 – Live for Today sticks with me, because we never know what tomorrow will bring. Take care.

    • Tess July 15, 2013, 1:03 pm

      Cathy,
      I think we need to find a balance in order to live fully and not take life for granted. The more we live in the moment the easier it is to live without regret.

      • Tess July 15, 2013, 1:04 pm

        Cathy,
        I think we need to find a balance in order to live fully and not take life for granted. The more we live in the moment the easier it is to live without regret.

  • Megan Bord July 14, 2013, 4:00 pm

    Tess, you always know just what to write and how to encourage. Not only that, you’re an inspiration for the way you act in your own life. I’d like to be more like you.
    THANK YOU for this post.
    THANK YOU for what you do each day.
    THANK YOU for being you.

    • Tess July 15, 2013, 1:04 pm

      Megan,
      You’re so kind and I appreciate your love. Plus all of the help and support you give. You’re the best. Don’t forget that.

  • Elle July 14, 2013, 4:39 pm

    This was a perfect read for me today Tess. And given my latest post, there’ll be no surprise that #5 speaks volumes. ๐Ÿ™‚

    All the quotes are wonderful. Thank you.

    e-hugs
    Elle

    • Tess July 15, 2013, 1:05 pm

      Elle,
      Loved your post today. Not sure I fall into purchasing a lot but I walk away feeling left out or afraid I’m missing something because I do. Ego stuff for sure!

  • Suzie Cheel July 14, 2013, 6:00 pm

    The first thing I did was find the local Silent prayer line and put it in my phoned and called it- I have known about the Unity online.
    Thank you Tess for your timely post ,
    3 and 5 resonate for me right now- 5 first so I can create and invent and then share
    as Megan says Thank you for your courage and who you be
    namaste

    • Tess July 15, 2013, 1:06 pm

      Suzie,
      Thank you for being such a good friend. I’m so glad I could help you out! You’ll love having it handy. The relief it offers is inmeasureable.

  • karen July 15, 2013, 1:23 am

    Hi Tess, letting go of all the unwanted stuff resonate with me. All the unwanted mental and physical habits that keep us trapped and distracted from who we really are – powerful spiritual beings. I am going to remember that for today!!

    • Tess July 15, 2013, 1:08 pm

      Karen,
      Yes let’s get free of the stuff that gets us distracted. I’m all for it and only have a bit left to release right now. Funny thing is I’ll probably pick up some more bad habits on the journey:)

  • Fran Sorin July 15, 2013, 3:47 am

    Well Ms. Tess- The silent prayer line? I love the concept and will check it out-
    A really fine post – your points are sharp, crisp, and ”bottom line’.
    Favorite line? Have a love affair with life – you rock! xxoo

  • Nneka, Working Mystic July 15, 2013, 8:35 am

    Hi fellow Unitic:-) (That’s what I call us.)

    I’m always so happy to meet someone else that knows Unity. I was raised on it.

    Can I add an 8th?

    My secret is creating habits that nurture you. We all have habits, but they don’t all serve us. Sometimes we need to deliberately install a new activity like taking time for creative expression, or exercise, or meditation. The more self-nurturuing habits we have, the more we have to give to the world.

    • Tess July 15, 2013, 1:09 pm

      Hi Nneka
      I just bought a new art book last week and plan on spending more time with creative expression not related to my work. In fact I just remembered I bought two. One hasn’t arrived yet. Thanks for stopping by. I wasn’t raised in Unity but brought my kids there in their middle school- high school years.

  • Rita July 15, 2013, 9:30 am

    I’d have to agree with Anne-Sophie. #2 is the one that made me well up in tears. Thanks for sharing this list Tess. If I can live each day with no regret, I’ve lived a full life.

  • Tess July 15, 2013, 1:10 pm

    Rita,
    I think you do a good job of this. Seriously you’re a great role model for so many!!!

  • Elle July 15, 2013, 4:09 pm

    Funny Tess, I left a comment yesterday but it seems to have disappeared, so I can now claim how brilliant it was!

    Your post is most definitely brilliant and #5 really speaks to me…a stop doing list…so much more important to me than a to do list.

    xoxo
    Elle

  • Zeenat(Positive Provocations) July 16, 2013, 10:23 am

    Tess,
    I love this post! All the points are bang on target. #6 though touched me on a deeper level..cause that is indeed my life’s purpose.
    Being a Go-Giver to me means creating healing ripples in this universe. The kind our world definitely needs more of.
    Beautiful post ๐Ÿ™‚
    Love and hugs,
    Z~

  • eTherapySite July 16, 2013, 9:02 pm

    This is a really powerful story. Thank you for sharing. I have never heard of Silent Unity but that sounds really interesting and beautiful. I too believe in the power of shared intention, of collective consciousness, of prayer. Your 7 ways to live life fully are very inspiring too!

  • Ashton@Brainwavelove July 17, 2013, 7:37 am

    Tess, this is a powerful story, and a great list! I very much like points 5 and 6. I believe we should remember life is A LOT simpler than we believe it is. What makes it harder and complicated is the numerous desires bombarding us. Most of these desires are for things we don’t really need. Once we stop wanting so much for ourselves, we’ll be able to open our hearts and find the time to be go-givers!

  • Debra Jason July 18, 2013, 8:57 pm

    All good life lessons, but “Say โ€œYesโ€ to what you want. Let go of what no longer serves you.” resonated with me for today.
    Thanks.
    ~Debra

  • Dawna Kreis July 19, 2013, 8:45 am

    Came across your post via the discussion on Magnolias West, Tess. So glad I did! I found it inspirational! Such seemingly simple ideas, but ones that we often don’t slow down long enough to consider. Thank you so much for the reminder. Am now following along with you in all the social spheres. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Have a GREAT Friday!

  • Sue Kearney (@MagnoliasWest) July 19, 2013, 8:49 am

    Wow, I love this article, I love each and every quote, and the way you weave it all together. I have tears in my eyes.

    You have blessed my morning, thank you!

    Love and magic,
    Sue

  • Martine Joseph December 23, 2013, 6:57 pm

    These are marvelous Tess! I especially love “Be a Go-Giver.” Giving fills me with happiness, and leads to receiving. I also cherish your reminder to invent: “Add value. Put it out there. Celebrate.” Thank you for the encouragement!

    • Tess December 23, 2013, 7:09 pm

      Hey Martine,
      Thanks so much for your support and taking the time to read my blog. I appreciate you!

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