There have been a couple of posts talking about the "reason we are here" or our purpose in life. That seems so limiting and controlling. Why do we have to have some purpose? Life is life.
Why are we here? Why not!
I don't want to spend my life in search of its meaning -- that takes away from the joy and pleasure of life. I've never felt like I had to have some purpose or meaning (known or unknown) to validate my life. If I decided I did need one, I could name dozens of 'reasons' for my life.
I don't mean this to sound sarcastic -- but isn't life itself enough? Even when I was a practicing Christian I always thought that life was a gift and that was enough. I simply accepted the gift and felt God asked no more of me than that. (by accepting his gift I accepted Him and all the things that a good Christian was supposed to accept, yadda yadda)
Just another POV on the quest for the meaning of life.
Originally posted by tanbark813
Everything that I do in life is driven by the sole motivation to get more karaoke, beer, and boobs.
Some things are just too funny...
You're too young, I'm too old, you're single, I'm married, you live there, I live there..it's such a shame. We could have had so much fun.
__________________
People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar. - Thich Nhat Hanh
__________________
Reading: The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins
Originally posted by HokeyReligions
I simply accepted the gift and felt God asked no more of me than that. (by accepting his gift I accepted Him and all the things that a good Christian was supposed to accept, yadda yadda)
This is like a guy comes to you with a big diamond ring and you take the ring and through him out of the door. Then you think that at least you accepted the present. (just kidding)
Last edited by Anais; 14th January 2005 at 6:02 PM..
Originally posted by Bronzepen
Some people aren't happy/satisfied knowing they are just alive.
Some people need a meaning and a cause for existing.
For some, wondering aimlessly is not a choice nor is it comforting.
I know, but I'm wondering why? What is it that people feel when they are looking for a purpose? Is it just a general 'unfulfilledness'? How do they know when they find whatever it is they are looking for? What makes people so certain they have found THE reason for their being? What if they lose it? Does it remain 'enough' to have found 'It'? What then? What if they get burned out from 'It'? Do they keep searching for something else? Do people need only one reason, or is it like an easter-egg hunt where they are always looking for more? Does it really change their life to have found 'it'? How?
I know its an individual thing and not one answer is going to cover everyone, I'm just curious about individual responses and about opinions on the whole thing.
Originally posted by HokeyReligions
I know, but I'm wondering why? What is it that people feel when they are looking for a purpose? Is it just a general 'unfulfilledness'? How do they know when they find whatever it is they are looking for? What makes people so certain they have found THE reason for their being? What if they lose it? Does it remain 'enough' to have found 'It'? What then? What if they get burned out from 'It'? Do they keep searching for something else? Do people need only one reason, or is it like an easter-egg hunt where they are always looking for more? Does it really change their life to have found 'it'? How?
I know its an individual thing and not one answer is going to cover everyone, I'm just curious about individual responses and about opinions on the whole thing.
Some people look all their lives for the answer and never find it.
Some people find it in religion and that is enough for them. For them their life does change. For others it's not the answer but a step in the right direction.
People that are looking for the answer, will never stop because they can't accept just being alive. They need a purpose, a goal and some sort of definition of who and what they are.
I worry about this. At some point, I just fell out of love with my work, and I miss the easy source of hope and direction that this purpose used to give me.
Everything is still fine, I work, love, exercise, study, but I definitely notice a reduction in soul energy. This is kind of silly, but I would say it's the equivalent of skipping breakfast for me.
I think the answer for me is to get to that place where I can enjoy what I have, and be grateful. I'm not there yet.
People that are looking for the answer, will never stop because they can't accept just being alive. They need a purpose, a goal and some sort of definition of who and what they are
or, sometimes people look beyond themselves and realize that in the grand scheme of things, they're just this little dab of goo that ... exists! they grow curious, questioning how they relate to what is around them, what their place is and why they're even there. I think it becomes less and less a journey of self, and more a journey of finding out how we fit in, of what our place is. sometimes the journey is aided by the practice of a religious faith; other times by reading or immersing oneself in a vast array of materials that shed light on the subject, really, just a number of different things can help a person.
because we're made/created/built with a thirst to know and to learn, it's a safe bet to say that the journey is an ongoing and ever-changing one!
Originally posted by Bronzepen
Some people look all their lives for the answer and never find it.
Some people find it in religion and that is enough for them. For them their life does change. For others it's not the answer but a step in the right direction.
People that are looking for the answer, will never stop because they can't accept just being alive. They need a purpose, a goal and some sort of definition of who and what they are.
Originally posted by Mustard Bomb
reduction in soul energy
equivalent of skipping breakfast for me
That is what I'm looking for (love the soul energy phrase). Descriptions of how it feels to each individual. And how that equates to a purpose.
Do you think your purpose is to find a job you like - or find a way within yourself to like the job you have?
Will that be enough for you, do you think? Or do you think you may get restless again and your soul energy wane?
Originally posted by quankanne People that are looking for the answer, will never stop because they can't accept just being alive. They need a purpose, a goal and some sort of definition of who and what they are
or, sometimes people look beyond themselves and realize that in the grand scheme of things, they're just this little dab of goo that ... exists! they grow curious, questioning how they relate to what is around them, what their place is and why they're even there. I think it becomes less and less a journey of self, and more a journey of finding out how we fit in, of what our place is. sometimes the journey is aided by the practice of a religious faith; other times by reading or immersing oneself in a vast array of materials that shed light on the subject, really, just a number of different things can help a person.
because we're made/created/built with a thirst to know and to learn, it's a safe bet to say that the journey is an ongoing and ever-changing one!
Who you callin' Goo?! LOL
If I were looking for my own purpose, I could say that I was meant (created) to be my hubby's wife and love him and accept him even with no sex. But, and this is my opinion, if that is why I was created and I did not stay with my husband (one of us left the other) my life would not then be meaningless. I guess there is more than one purpose.
Do you think your purpose is to find a job you like - or find a way within yourself to like the job you have? Will that be enough for you, do you think? Or do you think you may get restless again and your soul energy wane?
it goes deeper than just the trappings, because those are temporary – the restlessness comes from searching for your meaning, for what YOU are when you shed all other identifications (wife, mom, writer, chocoholic, avid reader, chatty-Kathry, etc).
there's a lovely poem (if it can be called that) I got a copy of during an interview with a church deacon who happens to president of a local junior college. it's written by Cardinal John Henry Newman, called "I have my mission."
the opening line goes "God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which he has not comitted to another …. he has not created me for naught …."
it talks about the unique gift that each person has to offer, and no matter what condition that person is in – ill, confused, filled with sorrow – that gift still serves God.
not sure how a non-believer would comprehend the message behind this writing, but in an overall kind of way, I think it answers the "what is my reason for being" question because addresses the value of each and every life out there ....
Please note: The suggestions and advice offered on this web site are opinions only and are not to be used in the place of professional psychological counseling or medical advice. If you or someone close to you is currently in crisis or in an emergency situation, contact your local law enforcement agency or emergency number.
Some things are just too funny... 
(just kidding)
Linear Mode
