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"Life, and living"

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Wed 06/11/02 at 12:47
Regular
Posts: 787
There are something approaching 6 billion people on this planet. Of those, none can say with absolute clarity and accuracy where we came from, what we're doing here, and what makes us so different from the millions upon millions of other forms of life that can be found all around us on this planet.

Of course, some people have what they believe to be the answer, be it religion, science, unproven or untested theory, or even complete nonchalance. We live our lives, and at some point often look for a reason as to why we're living them. For some greater purpose? As the love toys of some greater being? As chance in nature's great plan of selection? Or perhaps, as many would say, the ultimate of life is simply to enjoy it, and that's all we're here for.

Now there's a great thought indeed! That we are here simply to enjoy ourselves, and have the best life we can carve out for ourselves. Truly then, our capacity for joy, love and happiness is without boundaries. Unfortunately not. For if we are here to enjoy ourselves, why do so many of us fail so miserably in so simple a task? Hundreds of millions of people the world over are unhappy. Many to the point where the ultimate moments of their life are spent not enjoying life, but instead taking it away from themselves because they cannot bear to live with the burden of living.

It's tragedy enough that some people cannot survive the stresses life sets out, but if truly the meaning of life is to make yourself happy, then this becomes a tragedy of unparalleled misfortune. That so many can fail in the worst possible way is almost enough to invoke tears.

But with so many getting it so wrong, could it be that we live for a different purpose? Perhaps this tragedy comes about because we're trying to achieve happiness via the wrong methods. Selfish methods. Perhaps instead we should look to other ways to make ourselves enjoy life. Tell someone that the meaning of life is to enjoy it, and they'll start saving for a holiday in the Bahamas. Maybe instead they should be saving for something that will make someone else happier than it will make them. Maybe if everyone drops the notion of what is possibly a terribly deluded self-interest, we can be happier through helping eachother reach heights of elated well-being otherwise reserved for fables and fantasies.

Today, charities do moderately well, if that well, mainly because so comparatively few people help them, or donate to them. Imagine the difference that could be made if everyone had an interest in charity. Either through donations or volunteer work. The extra help would be worth tens of billions worldwide, enough to turn economies around, enough to turn wastelands into bustling cities, deserts into crop yielding farmland, and warscorched earth into playgrounds.

Millions of people would benefit from the aid, and would surely give thanks for it - thanks which would reach those who contributed, and being thanked by someone who's life you have turned around for the good will gratify any decent man far more than a brief trip to some far flung paradise.

Imagine how the world would benefit long-term. Western-class education for millions more people than who currently benefit from it, leading to more skilled individuals, leading to further invention and technological advance.

Perhaps this way is the only way for the world to move forward. At the moment, the world walks with two separate minded feet. One lumbering slowly forward, only as the second slips slowly backwards. Only through sacrifice can we find happiness. Only through dedicating ourselves to the rest of our fellow kind can we better understand the trials we face.

Only through loving, caring and contributing with the world can we reach the stars.

There are a lot of "maybe"'s up there, and of course, this solution doesn't answer the greater questions. Those questions to which there are no immediate answers. But surely it makes more sense! More sense than running yourself into the dirt to afford a holiday, a brief escape from the life you're leading. There is too much living involved in 50 weeks for 2 weeks to cure it. We need more. And by helping eachother, others help you. A united front leading to a greater people.
Wed 06/11/02 at 12:47
"Darkness, always"
Posts: 9,603
There are something approaching 6 billion people on this planet. Of those, none can say with absolute clarity and accuracy where we came from, what we're doing here, and what makes us so different from the millions upon millions of other forms of life that can be found all around us on this planet.

Of course, some people have what they believe to be the answer, be it religion, science, unproven or untested theory, or even complete nonchalance. We live our lives, and at some point often look for a reason as to why we're living them. For some greater purpose? As the love toys of some greater being? As chance in nature's great plan of selection? Or perhaps, as many would say, the ultimate of life is simply to enjoy it, and that's all we're here for.

Now there's a great thought indeed! That we are here simply to enjoy ourselves, and have the best life we can carve out for ourselves. Truly then, our capacity for joy, love and happiness is without boundaries. Unfortunately not. For if we are here to enjoy ourselves, why do so many of us fail so miserably in so simple a task? Hundreds of millions of people the world over are unhappy. Many to the point where the ultimate moments of their life are spent not enjoying life, but instead taking it away from themselves because they cannot bear to live with the burden of living.

It's tragedy enough that some people cannot survive the stresses life sets out, but if truly the meaning of life is to make yourself happy, then this becomes a tragedy of unparalleled misfortune. That so many can fail in the worst possible way is almost enough to invoke tears.

But with so many getting it so wrong, could it be that we live for a different purpose? Perhaps this tragedy comes about because we're trying to achieve happiness via the wrong methods. Selfish methods. Perhaps instead we should look to other ways to make ourselves enjoy life. Tell someone that the meaning of life is to enjoy it, and they'll start saving for a holiday in the Bahamas. Maybe instead they should be saving for something that will make someone else happier than it will make them. Maybe if everyone drops the notion of what is possibly a terribly deluded self-interest, we can be happier through helping eachother reach heights of elated well-being otherwise reserved for fables and fantasies.

Today, charities do moderately well, if that well, mainly because so comparatively few people help them, or donate to them. Imagine the difference that could be made if everyone had an interest in charity. Either through donations or volunteer work. The extra help would be worth tens of billions worldwide, enough to turn economies around, enough to turn wastelands into bustling cities, deserts into crop yielding farmland, and warscorched earth into playgrounds.

Millions of people would benefit from the aid, and would surely give thanks for it - thanks which would reach those who contributed, and being thanked by someone who's life you have turned around for the good will gratify any decent man far more than a brief trip to some far flung paradise.

Imagine how the world would benefit long-term. Western-class education for millions more people than who currently benefit from it, leading to more skilled individuals, leading to further invention and technological advance.

Perhaps this way is the only way for the world to move forward. At the moment, the world walks with two separate minded feet. One lumbering slowly forward, only as the second slips slowly backwards. Only through sacrifice can we find happiness. Only through dedicating ourselves to the rest of our fellow kind can we better understand the trials we face.

Only through loving, caring and contributing with the world can we reach the stars.

There are a lot of "maybe"'s up there, and of course, this solution doesn't answer the greater questions. Those questions to which there are no immediate answers. But surely it makes more sense! More sense than running yourself into the dirt to afford a holiday, a brief escape from the life you're leading. There is too much living involved in 50 weeks for 2 weeks to cure it. We need more. And by helping eachother, others help you. A united front leading to a greater people.
Wed 06/11/02 at 13:12
Regular
"Lisan al-Gaib"
Posts: 7,093
I've always considered the meaning of life to simply be to live. This includes all the elements of pain, joy, love, sadness, happiness etc etc.
If you can bring happiness to another person or a larger group of people then so be it, but sometimes you do have to be selfish to bring this to yourself.
Wed 06/11/02 at 13:13
Regular
"Infantalised Forums"
Posts: 23,089
And the pursuit of porno.

*shrugs*
Makes me happy.
Wed 06/11/02 at 13:24
"Darkness, always"
Posts: 9,603
Meaning of life is to live?

To say that is to say we are born to suffer. Life has so many elements, most of which are wholly unpleasant. Are we destined to live lives full of pain, anguish, fear, hatred, vengeance, destruction and genocide?

Personally, I think many of these elements exist because we are not living in the correct manner.
Wed 06/11/02 at 13:27
Regular
"Infantalised Forums"
Posts: 23,089
Ok, I'm off for a smoke and then I'll attempt to give my idea of what life is about. But it'll only be my idea for me, otherwise I'd be President of Everything and this world would be the land of milk & honey. And porno. And pringles. With possibly some free movies as well.
Wed 06/11/02 at 13:31
Regular
"Lisan al-Gaib"
Posts: 7,093
But that is my point. All of these elements are part of life in general. We are always going to suffer no matter what whether it be health, failed relationships or weaknesses on our part.

No matter how we live our lives, these elements are always going to be part of it no matter what our wishes.

All of them add up to the rich tapestry of life.
Wed 06/11/02 at 13:35
"Darkness, always"
Posts: 9,603
There's nothing rich about genocide my friend. Personally, I think such things can be avoided. That it is a part of life at all is a callous blasphemy.
Wed 06/11/02 at 13:40
Regular
"Infantalised Forums"
Posts: 23,089
For me, life is about my friends, family and trying to cause as little distress/harm/injury to people as possible.
I get on with my business and dont presume to tell anyone else how to live and all I ask in return in the same courtesy.

I dont know the answers to the world's problems. If I did then I could solve them today, instead I try to understand as much as possible to the best of my ability.
I have no sense of patriotism at all, cliche though it may be I consider this entire world my playground and intend to skip through as much of it as possible.
I look out for my gang and will fight for them if necessary and I hope they would do the same.

Pain and suffering exist, it would be foolish to think otherwise. But I try to minimise that as much as I can. Be it supporting friends in their decisions, helping out when I can, being there if needed etc etc.
But I also like to spend time by myself, taking stock of things around me and seeing what sense, if any, I can make.
I take life as it comes, float along happily and tend, more often than not,to find things work out for me at the last minute when it seems like everything's going to hell.

I believe in standing up for the things you believe in, things you consider correct and right. But not at the cost of being unwilling to accept that you dont know everything, and there's a chance that someone may come along and alter your view on something. Keeping an open mind, I feel, is the key to living my life.

And porno.
Wed 06/11/02 at 13:41
Regular
"Orbiting Uranus"
Posts: 5,665
If you never suffer then you have nothing to compare your hapiness with and therefore you won't be as happy.
Wed 06/11/02 at 13:43
Regular
"Lisan al-Gaib"
Posts: 7,093
Where did I say that genocide was? I'm talking about personal suffering. I like to think that I'm considerate to people around me, listen and help my friends and am generaly a nice person.

My life is not a happy time at certian points however.

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