Snatching means to take a hold of or grasp abruptly. In everyday lingo, snatching has evolved into a negative connotation, which means to rob or seize one’s property with evil intentions or with reckless abandon. Snatchers are menace to the community. Carpe diem, on the other hand, is defined as the enjoyment of the pleasures of the moment without concern for the future. “Seize the day” in Latin, carpe diem is often used as a mantra for people to think and act more decisively. Opportunities may pass the longer we ponder our decisions.
Both terms, snatching and carpe diem, involve seizure; one is more of the physical act, while the other is more of a mindset. One real-life example of a good snatch is what has happened and is happening in the city of Dumaguete whose name was coined from the Cebuano word dagit, which means “to snatch.” Historically, Dumaguete was named as such because of frequent “snatching” raids by Muslim pirates on this coastal community centuries ago. Nowadays, Dumaguete practically snatches its visitors from wherever they come from. These visitors end up staying, living, working or retiring in Dumaguete.
Chester Lee is one recent acquaintance of mine who migrated from Manila to Dumaguete. Born, raised and educated in Manila, Chester has worked in the scuba diving industry for quite some time before deciding to pack up his bags and relocate to this part of the country. He appreciates the relaxing atmosphere and the warmth of the people, not to mention the quality of education. His children, he says, will definitely attend Silliman University. He now manages the Sea Explorers Dive Center at Pura Vida resort in Dauin, Negros Oriental, a leisurely half-hour drive from the City of Gentle People. Another recent acquaintance, Edward Lee also relocated from Cebu to Dumaguete 30 years ago, perhaps for the same reason as Chester. As a businessman, Edward was attracted by the city’s peace and order, its commercial accessibility both in terms of transportation and communication, and the educational environment for his four children. From a part-time helper in his uncle’s business, Edward is the proud owner of Lee Plaza malls with branches in Negros Oriental and Dipolog. I assume that both Chester and Edward were “snatched” by the city in the same way a lot of foreigners have been, in recent years.
Understandably, with a dollar-friendly cost of living, Dumaguete has been voted in the top 10 cities around the world for retirement by Forbes magazine. Records in the Bureau of Immigration revealed that Dumaguete has the highest number of permanent residents coming from Europe and North America. Records from the Philippine Retirement Authority also revealed that Dumaguete has registered the highest number of foreigners with a PRA retiree’s visa. What makes Dumaguete enchanting is the combination of simplicity and sophistication of its culture. Its beaches, dive sites, rivers and mountains remain as a natural attraction. It remains as a small city compared to the other cities in the region (Bacolod, Cebu and Iloilo) but, at the same time, is big enough to accommodate visitors from all over the world. More known as a university town because of the prominence of both Silliman University and St. Paul’s University, Dumaguete has gradually evolved into a self-sustaining and magnetic community. It is charming enough for visitors to be “snatched” to live, work or stay there, in the spirit of carpe diem.
In a professional setting, my law firm once had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to snatch an account—a client that lays the golden egg so to speak. However, due to some competing interests that ended in partners’ disagreement, the firm ended up losing the client to another. We never seized the moment.At a personal level, I once had a friend who virtually snatched her lover’s heart. Similar to Dumaguete, my friend has the physical looks and a heartwarming personality that any man would be attracted to. She has about everything any man would long for in a life partner. The whirlwind attraction came so naturally and easily that her lover simply could not control his emotions toward her.
In these cases, do we allow these opportunities in business and in our personal lives to snatch us and be under its control, or do we seize the opportunity ourselves and take control? “In God We Trust” is more than just a slogan that is prominently displayed at the provincial capitol of Negros Oriental, whose capital is Dumaguete. Trusting God gives believers true joy when His will is no longer a mystery, because He has made it known to us through His Word. With the gift of wisdom, our outlook becomes eternal, our attitude changes from fear to confidence, and worry has no place in our minds.
In the Bible, Daniel 11:32 says, “The people who know their God will display strength and take action.” As such, whenever there are opportunities ready to snatch us, we need to trust the Spirit within to tell us what to do. We all carry the knowledge of a breakthrough or a blessing. Our hearts will know when the opportunity is in accordance to His will. In 1 Corinthians 2:10, the Bible tells us, “We know about these things because God has sent His Spirit to tell us.” His wisdom within us puts us in a position to succeed in accomplishing His will.
Let’s put a stop to this kind of snatching. Our Spirit within will show us something during the night that changes how we feel in the morning. That’s the reason I enjoy looking at the sunrise and the sunset. Through Him, we receive insights that give us hope, direction and the courage to fight for what He promised us in His Word. By being constantly surrounded by Him through people and events He sends our way, let us allow Him to snatch us instead.