December 1997 was a special time for movie history… or at least a special time for my movie history.  It was then that Titanic debuted on the silver screen and I couldn’t get enough of the “new” hot young actor Leonardo DiCaprio.   Oh the memories… Mmm.  What was I saying?  Oh yeah, the sunken ship movie.

One of my favorite scenes in the movie is when Jack (a.k.a. Leo) is invited to attend a dinner with the upper class passengers.  Looking devastatingly handsome in a tuxedo, Jack practices acting like a gentleman while waiting to escort Rose into the dining area.  When she arrives he is suddenly at ease.

Side note: I wouldn’t be so relaxed if I were Jack.  That chick straight up let him freeze to death.  Almost 13 years later and I’m still angry.  Imbecile.

Anyway, back to the movie.  After enduring a ruthless interrogation from the snobby, anti-Jack, rich folk, Jack excuses himself from the table before returning to mingle with the common folk in steerage.  Before he leaves, he slyly slips Rose a note that reads, “Make it count.”  This note was code for “meet me in the steerage for an Irish rave”; more importantly, it was also code to remind her to take risks and make the most of every moment.

Fast-forward 13 years into the future and here I am: a journalism grad still struggling to find a job (much like many other Americans, unfortunately) and still “in love” with Leo.  The upside of my “extended furlough” (I prefer that over “unemployed”) is when you have other friends on “furlough,” you get to spend more time with them.  Such was the case when I got to have lunch with a dear friend of mine the other day.

She and I spent a good deal of time catching up, discussing the highs and lows of our time off.  One conversation took a slightly disturbing turn when we both confessed feeling like our days are meaningless and passing much too quickly.  It was nice hearing I wasn’t the only one feeling this way; however, it’s awful that someone I care about is going through a similar experience.

After spending the rest of the day thinking about our conversation, I came to the conclusion (with mom’s help, of course) that it takes a little bit of effort to make the days count for something.  While most days may not be filled with adventure (they can be), the point is to push forward every day and work towards reaching life goals both great and small.

For example, if you’ve always wanted to travel to Italy, start planning your trip.  Even if you don’t have the resources to travel there now, the planning process could keep you motivated, give you something to look forward to, and you might even learn a foreign language in the process.

Smaller goals can also help your days count.  Organize your pictures, clean out the garage, knit a sweater, learn to juggle, whatever.  Just doing those things that you just “haven’t gotten around to doing” is sure to give you a sense of accomplishment.

Household chores, running errands, and sweater knitting may not push you any closer to reaching your dreams, but at least those things will be taken care of once you’re ready to jet set to a foreign land… like a state in the Midwest.

So take a tip from Leo and “make it count.”  You never know – an ordinary moment can turn into a great memory.

Oh, and two more things: 1.) If your ship goes down, ALWAYS save the hot boy and share your makeshift raft.  You could be saving me or someone else from a lifetime of bitterness and regret.  2.) When you’re old and go on cruises don’t throw your valuable jewelry overboard.  Give it to me.  I look much better in diamonds than a trout.

Remember, whatever you choose to do with your days always try to “make it count.” Your heart only goes on for so long.