Written by Dynamis Ministries | July 31, 2025
For most of us, the expression “carpe diem” is familiar. It’s often translated as seize the day and is quoted by self-help celebrities, popular podcast hosts and workplace leaders. We see this phrase displayed at gyms, written in books or even tattooed on bodies as a reminder of how we should live. In a culture focused on performance and achievement, it’s easy to see why this mantra has been so readily adopted. “Seizing the day” has become an expression that motivates us to power up and make the most of every opportunity that comes our way and not waste a second of our time.
But did you know that carpe diem doesn’t actually mean what we think it means? That’s right, according to Latin scholar Maria S. Marsilio, “Carpe diem is a horticultural metaphor that is more accurately translated as pluck the day.” The true meaning of this expression involves metaphors that are more aligned with agricultural images of harvesting (plucking) or ripening fruits or flowers. It’s associated with a much slower pace that is seen in farming, which includes preparing soil, planting, watering, patiently waiting for growth and eventually harvesting the fruits. This imagery is drastically different from the one we usually associate with the seize the day phrase.
When we grasp the true meaning of this expression, it gains a new relevance in our lives. Carpe diem is more about finding the beauty of the present moment as part of an ongoing process, rather than just filling our days with tasks to check off. In the middle of our fast-paced culture, when was the last time we intentionally cultivated the soil and planted good seeds in relationships? When was the last time we let God work out his perfect timing in our plans instead of forcing things to happen ourselves? When was the last time we stepped outside, enjoyed nature and literally plucked flowers? These can all serve as examples of what it truly means to “carpe diem.”
As we carry this new perspective on carpe diem in our lives and strive to fully embrace each present moment, let’s consider what opportunities are truly ripe for plucking. It may very well be that the best way to seize the day is to set aside our daily agenda and be present with our friends or family, or to go out of our way to show kindness to someone in need. So, the next time you see the words “carpe diem” on display or hear them in conversation, take that as a prompt to pause and reflect on what opportune moment God may be calling you to cultivate.
