No one is immune.

He pensively looked through the rings and politely inquired whether we had other sizes of 'Carpe Diem'. 'Do you know what it means?' he asked the girl he was browsing with. She shook her head while popping ring after ring on and off, examining them by spreading her fingers as a girl would to look at her nails. 'It means seize the day.' There was something quiet about the way he contemplated the superman ring he rotated from finger to finger. 'It's an important saying to me.' He smiled, 'Interpreted into English it basically means get off your ass and do something with your life.' I had been looking for Carpe Diem among the various disorganized clusters of rings behind the counter in a casual manner prior to his explanation. Now I felt a new sense of purpose as I inspected the black foam panels for his object of affection. I found three more. One of the sizes fit his pinkie. He didn't end up buying it, but I situated the panel in a place where I could find it later. I felt empowered by his vision.

It was my first shift and I had already experienced a sliver of enlightenment. I knew what carpe diem meant before, but he had basically summed up the basis for all of my actions to this day.

I don't wear a mask for anyone. I'm Arwen whenever and wherever you see me. I strive to satisfy my deepest and utmost passions in life because I know materialism and physicality won't make me happy. Every waking moment of existence is spent on trying to lighten other's lives with my own. I want to make you happy. I want you to be proud to know me. I want to be proud to know myself.

Whatever you do, pursue what is most important to you. Seize the day.