Autumn Cornwell really struck a chord in “Carpe Diem” with me. I use lists a lot. Her main character, Vassar Spore, creates her life in lists of things she wants to accomplish.
My lists have a different purpose. They are lists of things to accomplish, but are tasks needing to be done rather than life goals.
In the Book “Carpe Diem”
Vassar is 16 and in stiff competition to be valedictorian for her high school class. She plans to take AP courses over the summer in pursuit of a 5.3 GPA on a 4 point scale.
Her life goals include being valedictorian, attending Vassar College, marrying a blond surgeon and writing a Pulitzer Prize book. She is a super achiever.
My Lists
To Do lists are so boring. Mine include chores, watering garden, cleaning out the barn, making cheese, cleaning house. Mundane goals for a quiet life.
My life goals are equally modest now. I want to finish a couple of books I’m working on. And I want to finally get my website organized and attracting visitors who will buy my books.
Life Intervenes
Vassar’s goals are upended with a phone call by Grandma Gerd. Suddenly her AP courses are gone as she will be in Southeast Asia for the summer.
Instead of Latin, Vassar will be writing a novel for AP credit. From the pieces put into the book, she will be rewriting and editing for years.
In addition, Vassar is trying to find out why her parents let Grandma Gerd blackmail them into sending her off for the summer. Even though she is constantly getting into trouble, usually her own fault, she does find the answer.
For me, I write in the morning just after milking. I’m awake and thinking about the plot. The other things happen in the afternoon.
Except the temperatures are now too hot to work outside by noon. So I am doing the work in the mornings and trying to write in the afternoons when I am tired, hot and wishing I could do nothing.
“Carpe Diem”
Seize the Day. Vassar is so busy making her lists, she forgets what is happening each day. How many of us do this?
It’s hard to stop trying to live in the past or the future, yet we can do neither. We can only live today. Planning is great. However, don’t let it rob you of your life.
