The title is a reference to two notable Latin phrases– Carpe diem (“Sieze the day”) and Memento mori (“Remember that you are mortal”) because I think they are the two sides of the same coin.

The first phrase refers to the opportunity side of things where you just grab what you can and try be successful as often as possible because the good things may not be there tomorrow while the second refers to the reminder to for moderation and humility, a reminder that not all success is permanent so there is no point in being too proud. To illustrate that point:  in ancient Rome, slaves were given the responsibility to utter the phrase “memento mori” to a triumphant general in a victory parade to ground his ego and put things in proper perspective.

So what’s the point of all this Latin phrases? I was inspired by one comment made by Juned Sonido in Coy Caballes’ blog post on the December 2008-January 2009 issue of Manual Magazine. Juned commented “memento mori” and I didn’t know that phrase until I did my research (in Wikipedia, of course ). My point: While every everyone wants to “seize the day” and be proud when the prize has been grabbed, there has to be a little reminder to us not to let success, big or small, get in to our heads. In other words, we need our dose of “memento mori.”

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I’m using the two phrases as points of my reflection in my inclusion on a feature in the December 2008-January 2009 issue of Manual Magazine.

The issue is being dubbed as their “Blog Issue” as a majority of the issue’s articles and features focus on blogs, social media and bloggers. Bloggers  Coy Caballes, Markku Seguerra, Mike Abundo and I were featured, plus Jayvee Fernandez and Rico Mossesgeld contributed articles. (Of course, there’s a little back story there.) 

As I reflected on the events, I feel happy and fortunate to be included in the blogger feature of the magazine. But at the same time, I’m trying not to get too caught up in it and let it inflate my ego to the size of a blimp. I’m now seeing the intricate balance of pride and humility– Carpe diem and Memento mori.