Carpe Now: 10 Habits to Master the Authenic You, Eliminate Excuses, & Create the Blueprint for Your Best Life, by Jake Barrena is an excellent read. I first became acquainted with Jake’s work though the YouVersion Bible app on my phone (I do believe there is a desktop computer version too.) He was the author for the Carpe Mentality: 12 Days to Seizing Your Best Life in Christ 12-day devotional. I’ve completed a lot of devotionals on that app, but there was something that really caught my attention with that one.
The chapters each address different aspects of life and the habits that support fulfilled living. I first went through this book on audible, sometimes listening while driving, washing the dishess, or taking a break from work. It doesn’t happen often, but this book was one that I decided to buy a hard copy of so that I could go back through it at my leisure. In fact, I bought 6 copies and have been sharing them with people in my life. Now, I’m recommending it to you.
The Introduction carries the heading Be Present. This admonition is key. It addresses transparency, mindfulness, understanding your personal mission in life, transformation, giving up control to gain control of the greatest version of yourself, the question of worthiness, passion, and purpose. This all comes with the caveat that we have to be fully present in order to make it all happen. We can’t just go through the motions or give it lip service. We need to go all in.
I want to share with you the final paragraph in its entirety.
Remember, it is YOU versus You. The only person who can get in your way is yourself. Take extreme ownership of your life and live your best life. The time for action is this very second. Your time is NOW. You are alive; that means you have unfinished business. You have a purpose that will feed your passion. That passion will carry you to your destination. You will encounter rouadblocks, but they will not stop you. Nothing will stop you. You are relentlessly in pursuit of a full, purpose-filled, rich, life. A life that is led by your most authentic self. Your authentic self is thankful to be found, as now the shackles are off, your burdens are finally lifted, your life has reason, and things will never be te same. There is only one thing left to do, Carpe NOW!”
Do you feel stuck? Try this book. Do you feel like you are searching? Try this book. Are you struggling? Try this book.