No Day But Today

Hmph. There will definitely be at least three more posts (including this one) tonight, because I've got my thoughts all lined up and now I found this thing that's PISSING ME OFF. But that can wait.

This post has to do with my take on the message in RENT.

As anyone who is remotely familiar with the show knows, its tagline is "No day but today". Taken literally, one could think that this means you shouldn't plan for the future. That you can just go ahead and spend all your money, or drink till you see double-- it could be your last day, so why not? Looked at this way, the message doesn't seem very good at all.

However, the true meaning of the phrase is completely different.

"No day but today" means that you should not let your past haunt you. Make mistakes, learn from them, and remember that new knowledge. But don't dwell on could haves, should haves, what ifs, and such. The past can't be changed, and dwelling on it never helped anyone. Instead, look to the now, and look to the future. It is well within your grasp to change those.

"No day but today" means to go ahead and take that leap. When an opportunity presents itself, don't just sit back and think oh, I'll do it another day. Now. Do it now. Because you might not have another day.

"No day but today" means to live, really live; don't just analyze your life, but live it. Pay attention to what's going on right now. It's important.

That's it on that subject for now.