Live for today (Carpe Diem)

Original Song by Lynne Penhale


Written in 2008


Directed and Edited by Benjamin Penhale-Wilson


I write my songs to heal myself, and I share this healing with others


This song was inspired by the movie Dead Poets Society. They discuss what Carpe Diem means and also really dive into writing captivating poetry which was inspiring to me. This is a hopeful and optimistic take on what it means to "Seize the day" and how when someone does this, they can make the world a better place.


Coming back to this song later in my life it was hard to sing "Live for yourself and love your life through the ups and the downs, the honour and strife". I have been through such tough times since writing those lyrics and sometimes during those periods of time you don't love your life! At least I didn't for a period of time. But I chose not to change those lyrics because I can see how gratitude even during the hardest times in life can make things a bit better. So hold onto those things that truly feel wonderful. For example, I love crunching leaves on the ground in the fall/Autumn. I enjoyed that feeling even when I was depressed and I still do that today. Such a satisfying sound!!


Song Lyrics:

Hold on to today
Don't live in tomorrow
There's always a hope
Through all of the sorrow
There's always a time
Where you can slow down
And think about life
Beyond this small town

Hold on to today
Don't live in the past
Don't look back
Or go too fast
Learn from yesterday
To live for today
Enjoy life as it is
And drift away

The hardships and doubt
You'll never live without
Take life as you stride
With honour and pride
And let it feel your soul
So you can feel whole
This is your life
Your passion
Your love

I wish I could say that we'll never grow old
But we'll live on through all of the stories we've told
And as we get older we're weaker but wiser
And the strong need to listen
So they can be fighters
For love and for justice
For rights and for freedom
So we can move on from the past

I'm saying speak up let them listen to you
Let your voice stand out so they know what to do
Spread the word of Carpe Diem
The love and the freedom
And maybe one day
We'll live for today

Live in the moment
And live for today
Live for your family
And the friends you've made
Live for yourself
And love your life
Through the ups and the downs
The honour and strife

Take hold of each moment
Embrace it and face it
Don't let it go
But don't keep it in
Share it will the world
It's time for you to shine
It's time for you to show
You're not letting go

It's never just a fight
It's never just a love
It's never just a life
It's never just a death

It's never just a right
It's never just a voice
You'll always have the choice
To see the light

I'm sending you tons and tons of love!

Lynne