Carpe Nocturne

          

        Carpe Nocturne (also spelt Carpe Noctem) is a Latin expression that means “Seize the night.” All people should seize the opportunity to love, live, grow, and be happy. When we give up the chance to seize the time we have been given, what really is the point of living? The unlived life is a fate far worse than anything man can conceive. If your life doesn’t count, if you can gain nothing of it, why exist?

           Seize the time while you can. Seize it through poetry, art, words, friendships, relationships, religion, spirituality, teaching, going on adventures, etc…simply live. Because you will die. And to die without first living while you had a chance to do so is truly sad.

           Yes, you breathe. You conduct the little mundane tasks that make up your existence, but does it bring you joy? Are you seizing the time your given? Are you making it count for something great, something beautiful? If not, I beg you to find a reason to make life beautiful, to seize it while you can and make it worthy of being lived.

           I do not speak of the phrase going around that states ‘YOLO: You Only Live Once”. Though this is a form of Carpe Diem (Seize the Day), I believe in reincarnation and therefore it surrenders the notion of only one life. However, you should seize any life you have. Live it fully, embrace it and love it.

           Now, you may wonder why I say seize the night instead of the day. Either phrase works, and both are equally beautiful terms. Personally, I love seize the night day. The day implies illumination, of clear sight and heat that can at times be overbearing.

           The night is a gentler mother to the fathering light of day. The night implies mystery, of searching for clarity, and being held in a cool embrace. I seek wisdom and I never stop. I chase the night and I seize it, exploring mysteries and seeking understanding.

          It is my fondest wish that we may embrace the dare of Carpe Nocturne. Live the life you have now to the fullest. You will never have another like it and if you find something that makes you happy and it’s not illegal (I don’t include marijuana in this as I think this should be make legal) then embrace it and find comfort and joy in what you have and in what you are doing. 

Always, always remember to:

 Carpe Noctem. 

Carpe Diem. 

Carpe Vitam. 

          I now leave you with a clip from Dead Poet’s Society, which I would encourage anyone to watch in full, along with the entire poem that was quoted in the clip!

TO THE VIRGINS, TO MAKE MUCH OF TIME.

by Robert Herrick

GATHER ye rosebuds while ye may,

    Old time is still a-flying :

And this same flower that smiles to-day

    To-morrow will be dying.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,

    The higher he's a-getting,

The sooner will his race be run,

    And nearer he's to setting.

That age is best which is the first,

    When youth and blood are warmer ;

But being spent, the worse, and worst

    Times still succeed the former.

Then be not coy, but use your time,

    And while ye may go marry :

For having lost but once your prime

    You may for ever tarry.