My daughters and I ended up at home on Friday night without my wife and we decided to have a lazy night and watch some TV. I quickly let them know that I was picking what we watch because I couldn’t stand another episode of Jesse or Teen Titans Go. So, I fired up Netflix and started looking at the movies available. After looking for a few minutes I came across Newsies. They both asked what it was. I realized it was a parent fail moment as they had not seen it before.

So, I fired up Netflix and started looking at the movies available. After looking for a few minutes I came across Newsies, they both asked what it was. I realized it was a parent fail moment as they had not seen it before. Newsies it is! As it started I realized it was not the movie with Christian Bale, but a movie of a live Broadway musical. I proceed with trepidation as I did not know if they would want to watch a live stage version when promised a movie. To my excitement they were fine with it as long as at some point we can watch the movie version…..that is a guarantee for sure.

In the movie/musical, there is a song called Seize the Day that both the girls asked about at some point in the show. It was cool that they at least knew some of the music. But as I was watching the show, I was watching them more. It was amazing to see how focused they were when Seize the Day came on, it was a goosebumps moment for sure. So I decided to actually read and digest the words.

**Sidenote** Most of us of a certain age really think of Dead Poets Society when we hear Seize the Day [Carpe Diem]. Another great movie with a very different connotation on this statement.

Back to Newsies…

Open the gates and seize the day; Don’t be afraid and don’t delay
Nothing can break us; No one can make us give our rights away
Arise and seize the day

Now is a time to seize the day; Send out the call and join the fray
Wrongs will be righted; If we’re united
Let us seize the day

Friends of the friendless seize the day; Raise up the torch and light the way
Proud and Defiant; We’ll slay the giant
Let us seize the day
Neighbor to neighbor; Father to son
One for all and all for one

When you actually find the lyrics to a song and really take time to reflect on them, there can be so much to learn. A few things I gleaned from Seize the Day from Newsies

• You have to be willing to step into action before you can truly take hold of a cause [idea]… “open the gates”
• Once you make the choice of action for a cause [idea], go all in despite any fears… “Don’t be afraid and don’t delay”
• Share the message… “Send out the call”
• Be an example for those who answer your call…”Raise up the torch and light the way”
• You can do anything, but not alone… “we’ll slay the giant – one for all and all for one”

You see in Dead Poets Society, I think the speech about Carpe Diem [Seize the Day] is more individualistic, it is about being extraordinary, not status quo. This is needed and a great thing. In Newsies, the song Seize the Day is more about being a part of something more than just you. It is about doing what is right with an urgency and passion.

I do believe we could all use a dose of this, I think our world would be a much better place if we listened to Jack and Dave’s advice to seize the day.