Bowditch Williams

Carpe diem Bowditch Williams

This is a volume of memoires - of souvenirs. How the author has navigated the last fifty-years of his journey to Itaka. The title of this autobiographical volume is Carpe diem; a Latin aphorism, usually translated as 'seize the day', and is taken from Book 1 of the Roman poet, Horace (Odes written in 23 BC). The phrase is part of the longer carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero, which is often translated as 'Seize the day, put very little trust in tomorrow (the future)'. The text says that the future is unforeseen, and that one should not leave to chance future happenings, but rather one should do all one can today to make one's own future better. It has been argued that the meaning of carpe diem, as used by Horace is not to ignore the future, but rather not to trust that everything is going to fall into place for you; so, take action for your future today. There is no certainty of anything in this world (and I write these words during the Covid Pandemic). So, plan your future, leave nothing to chance. Enjoy your journey to Ithaka. There is no avoiding one's arrival. But better to get to Ithaka game and ready, than full of fear and regret.