I remember watching Dead Poets Society when I was 15 years old and being fascinated, yet admittedly slightly annoyed, by Robin Williams’ character, John Keating, and his unorthodox teaching methods. As a teenager myself, I could relate to the students’ initial angst and eye rolling when Mr. Keating encouraged them to “carpe diem, seize the day” and embrace the pursuit of their dreams. After all, how could we possibly seize a day full of school and homework, social drama, and parental demands?
As the years went by and I experienced more life, I understood and appreciated his words more. We cannot change the past and we don’t know what the future holds, so we must make today count. And it is up to us to seize the day, no one else can do that for us.
I have had a few defining moments in my life in which I felt my entire paradigm shift. The first was when my mother was diagnosed with cancer and the second was when my youngest son was born with a rare genetic syndrome.
These moments were devastating but also helped define who I am today. There was the Sandy before and the Sandy after these moments. There was the world before and the world after these moments.
While the change did not happen overnight, John Keating’s words helped guide me to a new perspective. We can dwell on the past and worry about the future…or we can cherish today and make the absolute best of it. He also encouraged his students to take their own path, and not necessarily follow the conventional expectations of them.
It is not always easy, but throughout my career, my family life, and my personal life, I have benefited from the words and teachings in Dead Poets Society. I try to embrace each day, whether it is the day I expected or not, and work to always put my best foot forward.
Who would have thought that a coming-of-age, teenage drama would impact my perspective decades later?
Carpe diem, everyone!