Art historian Bernard Berenson once said, “I wish I could stand on a busy corner, hat in hand, and beg people to throw me all their wasted hours.” Although no one has an inexhaustible number of years on the planet, we don’t realize that life is flying by. Most of us seem to be in a hurry all the time, even when we don’t need to be.

Memories of our most cherished moments have become intangible phantoms. Snapshots, stored on smartphones and rarely printed, are lost in a blizzard of social media posts. Although we photograph everything—even what’s on our dinner plate—the full engagement of our senses is perennially postponed to an ambiguous later date when we “have more time”. Somehow, we have become spectators of our own lives, never quite living the moments our technology is preserving.

Consider the supplication of Roman poet Horace: Carpe diem! To seize the day is more than a feel-good motto. It can be a spiritual discipline. Unplugging from the compulsion to have a phone or camera in hand at all times can be a wonderful starting point. Reserving one day each week to turn off our devices and become fully immersed in meals and social activities can help us shed our public personas and get back to who we truly are.

Choosing to speak in person or on the phone instead of texting can remind us that human voices spark deep, human connection, boosting the immune system and uplifting our mood. Face-to-face interactions remind us that we are valued and heard, and that we are capable of providing that crucial validation for others.

As our world spins into the age of artificial intelligence with so many exciting possibilities, we also want to ensure that what makes us human remains intact. Living fully and harmoniously is an invitation to cultivate authenticity, prioritize the present moment and inspire others by example. Seizing the day may truly be our greatest accomplishment.

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