What is life really about?


NrrdGrrl! Discussion Forum: Lives and Confessions: What is life really about?
By Tammy Smith on Monday, April 27, 1998 - 12:58 pm:

If I don't look to outside things to make me happy, and just look at my insides I do feel a lot happier, but is this all that there is? Some people think that having a family is where it is at and then are disappointed in the whole experience. Some people think their careers are important and then feel empty with it all. And religion can't supply everything. So is inner contentment all that matters? But this doesn't last either.


By Shannon on Monday, April 27, 1998 - 01:44 pm:

But is the point of life to be happy all the time? I sort of think that you're supposed to have some of both, happiness and sadness, because if you didn't, you wouldn't be able to appreciate the good things when they did come along. Hopefully, of course, there's more happiness than sadness.... :) I try to look within myself for happiness, also.... you really can't rely on other people for fufillment all the time. And, just a personal thing, but the religion *I* was raised in was just supposed to make you feel guilty, not happy. Needless to say, I'm not in it anymore....


By Eliste on Monday, April 27, 1998 - 04:20 pm:

I agree Shannon...
Life is sort of like sweet and sour sauce. If it was all sweet how would we know what sour was and if it was all sour we'd never know that what was sweet was sweet. We cant have one without the other.

Inner contentment is one of the most important things you can have to jump start your way to happiness. The problem is that the world is populated with other people and so inner contentment can only be a start. There is something out there that can fulfill your heart and make life even better. Unfortunately most of us rarely find that. And even when we do find it the world finds ways to thwart our happiness. You have to make life hav a purpose for you. Find something to stand for and hold to it. Inner contentment can leave you hollow. As humans we need some kind of acceptance and happiness that comes from our fellow humans. The need for love is there in whatever form though I have a feeling that most all have a stronger urge for the kind of love that is epic and told in fables and legends, that love that exists between two souls that bind them together and let them feel that they have worth.

Life is something we all struggle with daily. It has meaning when we let it, when we make it. Inner contentment is where you have to start from to make other things have meaning. If you dont love yourself, you're virtually unable to love anything else. An until you have inner contentment the rest is impossible... people can help you get there but unless you find that in yourself you will be unable to have a life that is meaningful and happy.

There... my two cents which probably diverts from the original topic but oh well.


By Tori Amos Fan on Tuesday, April 28, 1998 - 10:53 am:

Life would be boring if we knew what it was all about.


By Tammy Smith on Tuesday, April 28, 1998 - 11:58 am:

Perhaps another way to look at this would be "is what i'm doing right now in my life enough?" Should we always be striving for a better job or better friends or is what i have right now enough? If i look at the contentment within myself it is enough. But should i settle for that?


By Tammy Smith on Tuesday, April 28, 1998 - 12:00 pm:

I probably should have put that my job or friends aren't that great but if i look to my own happiness i feel good, but yet my outside world isn't that great.


By Shannon on Tuesday, April 28, 1998 - 04:12 pm:

I know what you mean, Tammy, about feeling like you *should* strive for more. I personally feel the same you do... that I deserve more, but I just don't have the energy to go after anything right now. For instance, I've grown apart from most of my high school friends, but between school and job hunting and managing my ever-flimsy health, I just don't have time to make any more friends right now. But it would be so nice to have someone of "like mind" besides my boyfriend, around me!


By Eliste on Tuesday, April 28, 1998 - 04:28 pm:

Fan: I agree, though it might make some decisions easier.

I personally think we should all strive to be the best we can be. If the best you can be is the job you're in than that's it, but I think we all think our potential is much greater than the position we are in. If you feel you can do better then I say go for it! I dont think we were meant to sit in the doldrums drudging through stacks of paper if we have more potential than that.


By BlueEyes on Sunday, June 21, 1998 - 12:51 am:

Tammy, I think Life is about Goals!!. Inwhich case, we should try to do better, because most times smaller goals lead to similar larger goals. Say you were a "Mountain Climber," wouldn't you seek after the thrill of challenging something greater than yourself. And once that mountain was conquered / achieved, wouldn't you continue to the next one...one larger than the previous one using everything you had learned up to that point. Plus once you became to old to climb, wouldn't you then teach someone else what you had learned? Tis a thought...I hope my words help you in some way. Also there is a Ancient Chinese saying I'd like to pass along: "A long journey, begins with the first step." So is this Life, we weren't meant to just stand or sit in place, Life is meant to be lived, and people are a very important part as well. (Sure hope somebody understands want I'm trying to say here...) :)


By Lane on Monday, June 29, 1998 - 07:13 am:

Tammy, if we knew the answers to everything life would have absolutely no purpose whatsoeva. stop looking for the easy way and explore people through who they are..
oh XXXX i'm getting confusing again


By Punkgrrl on Wednesday, July 8, 1998 - 09:59 pm:

every night i think about the meaning of life, but it gets very confusing (!) when you think about it too much. i just look toward the future, and try not to let my hope die...

punkgrrl


By Sally on Saturday, July 18, 1998 - 09:41 am:

Life is like a bath, the longer you stay in it the wrinklier you get!


By Chocobabe on Saturday, July 18, 1998 - 12:42 pm:

Go Sally! Wow, that is so scaringly true!


By Snowpaws on Sunday, July 19, 1998 - 09:22 pm:

Swimming with dolphins!!!!!


By Rhiannon on Thursday, July 23, 1998 - 05:51 pm:

If you have a religion then this will mean something, but if you're an atheist, oh well. I think that the meaning of life is to prepare yourself for whatever afterlife you believe in. I am a Chritian so I am preparing for heaven, I am trying to lead a good and honest life, if you are a satanist (I HATE you) you must be preparing yourself for hell and must lead a bad and dishonest life and so on and so on. I hope I have inspired you see-ya!


By Laurel on Friday, July 24, 1998 - 11:08 am:

About afterlife: I don't have a specific belief in that. I guess I'm kind of a skeptic. The only afterlife we can be sure of is the one we have on Earth when people remember us. So I hope to prepare for that and have people say after I die that I was a good person and that I tried to make the world a better place in my own small sort of way...


By Rhiannon on Saturday, July 25, 1998 - 03:13 pm:

Laurel we are so alike. (oh by the way, hurry up and come to the city, although I live in London and I don't really know what cities are like near you, they're usually less racist than most small towns).


By Laurel on Sunday, July 26, 1998 - 04:34 pm:

I don't know about many cities but the city of Toronto Ontario looks pretty non-racist in a lot of ways. You go to a store there and there's people of like five backgrounds working side-by-side happily. Nice, isn't it?


By Webmistress on Monday, July 27, 1998 - 03:02 pm:

I've studied all the major religions, and they all seem to make sense, even Christianity. Jesus is my hero. I may not believe that he was a deity unto himself, but he is my hero. He just wanted everyone to treat each other with respect, and it's sad to see many Christians (read: not ALL) not following that.

Like the Hindus, I believe we don't learn enough in one lifetime, so we must come back to learn more. The soul is enduring, as it is made of energy and energy cannot be destroyed.

Like the Buddhists, I believe that God resides in all of us, and really finding contentment is a matter getting to know that inner-Brahma.

Like the Muslims, I believe there is a unifying force that makes all people one. I believe that is the "brahma" that resides in all of us.

Like the Taoists, I believe you must "go with the flow" and not tug and twist at the situations that mean to guide you to what you should be doing.

Like the Hebrews, I believe our history as a people will ultimately make us whole.

Just my $0.02.


By Gilmoure on Tuesday, August 25, 1998 - 05:10 pm:

I've been reading a cool book for class (need to finish it and write an essay tonight!) called The Hero Within by Carol S. Pearson. It's pretty good. It goes on about how there are 6 archetypes that people go through (Innocent, Orphan, Wanderer, Martyr, warrior, and Magician), usually at different stages of life. It's also about how we tend to cycle through these stages, even as we improve ourselves, until we gain acceptance and wisdom about life.

For myself, life is a journey and there isn't a point to it. The play is the thing, so to speak.

G


By BlueEyes on Monday, August 31, 1998 - 08:54 pm:

Gilmoure, why would you say your Life is a Journey (and I agree with you on this point, that Life is a Journey), but then turn around and add: "there is no point to it." In saying that "Life is a Journey"aren't you indicating that you believe that your Life has some purpose or goal to which you expect to complete at some point, when you reach your Journey's end. I know of no one who in their right mind, who would travel lost aimlessly without a destination?!? Sorr-we if I'm putting your defenses up, but I'm afraid I fail to understand your point of view? Could you please expand upon your true meaning? You & I are Examples of Sorts (being older than the main stream here in NrrdGrrl) and we need to be more clear in our expressions...course none of us are perfect!) Hopefully, you will not feel the need to strike out, but to clarify what you meant. Thanks. Oh and by the way, though a Guest here myself, I would still like to welcome you here.

"Peace be with You"
David


By Endora on Monday, August 31, 1998 - 09:18 pm:

I read Gilmoure's post as saying that the experience of the journey & the growth one experiences during it are more important than the destination. I don't think he's saying it's pointless or aimless, but that it's the journey which promotes the growth.


By Gilmoure on Tuesday, September 1, 1998 - 12:08 am:

I think what you are expounding on is the western mode of linear thought. From the east comes circular thought. This can also be thought of as male and female thought (an exercise for the reader to figure out which is which). The world is full of cycles that repeat, but never completely duplicate. Man tends to cut across these circles.

As for myself, I didn't mean to imply that there was no point to my life, only no direct goal to my journey. The creative image (or force) I have experienced has shown me that we are all in a great dance that is intertwined with a complexity that is almost impossible to comprehend. The moment of clairity I spoke of also showed me that there is a purpose to life. Unfortainatly, I was not able to hold onto the image very well. I all I have is the knowledge that there is a purpose to the journey, and that the journey is the point of it all.

If this is a little contradictory, it's because some concepts or experiences that cannot be fully expressed in English.

Perhaps an illustration: A drop of water evaporates from the sea and rises into the air. It can drift for a long time or a short one, going through several forms until it eventually falls down out of the sky. It can land back in the sea or on the ground. There, it can flow down rivers to the sea or be asobed by plants, animals or the earth. In this manner, it keeps going through transformations, having one purpose at one time and another purpose at another. At any one point in it's journey, it can say "This is my purpose." but it soon moves on to another form. Eventually, it will reach the sea again. The drop is no more but has it been destroyed?

I started on this a kid, wanting to know how everything in the world (and beyond) worked. Science was king and explanations composed of facts were what I demanded. AFter awhile, they were not enough. Einstien showed a universe with no end, no wall or boundry but also a closed circle. I started to see simularities between western cosmology and eastern religeon. Two different paths converging. From this, I realized that there is not one great and wonderful truth for everyone. Everyone has to discover their truth in the world and in themselves. I don't think there can be defensive feelings in something like this. We are on our paths, our journeys and we assign the truth or purpose to them as we see it. At the moment, I see the circle before me and am wandering around it. The wandering is the truth I follow now. Your truth is your own and is what you follow. The journeys can be long or short as well. Keeps things fun.

G

ps: sorry about the length. Sometimes the flood gates open.


By BlueEyes on Tuesday, September 1, 1998 - 10:31 am:

Gilmoure , thank you for taking the time to expound upon your ideas. It would appear that we differ in our Religious beliefs, and so therefore see this ”Journey through Life” with a somewhat different point of view. For me, there is a Supreme Being who has a designed plan for his creation. (Since GOD created male & female both in his image, I really don’t think GOD’s gender is an issue here…but because English is limited in some ways, I’ll stick with the tradition usage that GOD is a he. Course this is my opinion.) Which would conclude to me, that our Destination should be very important to us! Growth being a normal development as one Journeys toward that set Goal / Destination. Also, I think within our “Modern Society” we want to make everythingy as easily as possible in all aspects of our Lives…we want to make GOD see thingys our way or else we’ll find somethingy we like better. Oh well, as someone has said before in other forums…just giving my 2 cents worth. Gilmoure, I too do not feel the need to be defenses about this issue…afterall, you must choose your own path. GOD has given us all the right to accept him or not.

P.S. Endora thanks for your input. :))


By Endora on Tuesday, September 1, 1998 - 08:51 pm:

Then of course, there's the whole issue of when we choose goals, do we really anticipate what the outcome will be or where they will lead us? Not to mention the old, "didn't realize I needed to learn that lesson until after I learned it."

I'd say the Golden Rule is always a good one to try & follow & makes a good goal w/in itself. As for religion, I'm not quite sure. I was raised Catholic & no offense to anyone, but I personally don't like the way the Church treats/views women. I can't quite seem to find one religion. I guess I'm guilty of taking the a la carte approach. I haven't really explored other religions to the extent I'd like to, so please forgive any ignorance/simplification which may show throw in the characterizations below.

I like the idea of reincarnation because you get the chance to improve on the previous life & hopefully get to see some of the same souls you care about again.

However, I like the way pagan beliefs pay tribute to the cycles of life, as well. The whole way they approached solstice was pretty impressive. Think about it, people thought the sun was going out & instead of getting depressed about it, they tried to create their own.


By Gilmoure on Tuesday, September 1, 1998 - 11:07 pm:

A friend of mine who is Jewish, she has the same problems with Judaism. It's a very patriarchal religeon and it's difficult for her to find groups that are progressive concerning women. At the same time, there is the culture and heritage that goes with being a Jew. She is torn at times.

G

ps: Endora, I came across your explaination on your online name once but can't remember where it was. Any hints?


By BlueEyes on Wednesday, September 2, 1998 - 10:00 am:

Endora, I go to an Episcopal Church and I we have both Men & Women reading Bible verses and giving out the wine (Jesus' blood) at the Lord's Supper every Sunday alongside the Father. Maybe since you were a Catholic, you could feel more at home worshiping GOD there (it wouldn't hurt to at least check it out. :)) ). I've been going for many years now. It's wonder to see Men and Women working together as equals in the service, having equal voice, etc. ...how much more would you want? As a Christian we are taught to LOVE GOD / his WORD, others, our Family, and ourselves (cause if we can't LOVE who we are, then how can we LOVE others?).




Here's a List of Love's Characterizes that I work very hard to apply in my Life:
Endures Long
Is Not Jealous
Is Not For Display
Is Not Neither Self-Seeking Nor Irritable
Nor Does It Take Account Of A Wrong That Is Suffered
It Takes No Pleasure In Injustice
Bears Everything In Silence Or Faith
Hopes Under All Circumstances, Endures Without Limit
Love Never Fails!

Note: Tis a very tall order for a mere-mortal to apply...I'm glad GOD is there to help me along this path!




Hope you don't mind me sharing some helpful Thoughts & Ideas?

*HugZ*

David

By Endora on Wednesday, September 2, 1998 - 08:14 pm:

The Religion Issue

David,

Actually, I've considered going to an Episcopal Church. I still like the whole concept of polytheism though. In some ways life makes more sense to me that way.

Gilmoure,

I know how your friend feels. In addition to the whole culture thing, there's also the family thing. At family events, such as weddings and funerals, you're still dealing w/the religion.

How I choose the name Endora:
From the tv show Bewitched. Earlier this summer, we had a series of really nasty, meanspirited postings on this site. Anyway, during one of these exchanges, I talked about how Endora had the right attitude. She wasn't happy about her daughter's decision to marry a mortal & she'd often play jokes on him, but when it came down to it, she basically respected her daughter's choices even if she didn't agree w/them. I was saying we could use more of that spirit & changed my name here.

If anyone would like more info about the tv show, here's a link to a Yahoo index about the show:

Bewitched


By Gilmoure on Wednesday, September 2, 1998 - 09:26 pm:

Thanks!

I sorta' remebered it but wanted to get the attitude thing down. That was one of my favorite shows when I was a kid. Something about a couple where she (Smantha) was the smart one most of the time, but still made mistakes as well. The neat thing was that they didn't really blame each other too much. At least not that I remember. I guess that it's showing again but with work and school, I only have time for Daria.

G

Gilmoure is a name I put together back in Jr High. I used Tolkien's language guide he provided at the back of the Silmarillion. It means Dark Star. It rather suits me, I guess. I am quiet and such.


By BlueEyes on Thursday, September 3, 1998 - 11:58 am:

Endora, thanks your reply. Oh! I found this neat quote on the Web today 'n' thought I would share it with you (and anyone else who happens to be looking this way. hehe!! I feel like a kid sometimes, passing a note to a friend while at school during a math class...course those times were many years ago! :)) ) Hope you enjoy it. :




"...each person is a microcosm, a reflection of the entire universe in miniature, and at the center of the soul exists the oracle of the heart. When one becomes aware of this voice from the center, at that point the soul becomes cognizant of its manifest nature: a mediator between worlds, a one and a many, a point from which creation springs, a word, a world, an oracle, a song..."

-David Fideler
``The Voice from the Center"
From Gnosis, Volume 5, Fall 1987





It's a pretty darn good quote don't you think? I don't believe that I couldn't have said it better myself...being a sort of Poet per-say. :))

Talks to ya Laters,
David

By Endora on Thursday, September 3, 1998 - 08:51 pm:

Interesting quote, I'll read it over again when my brain cells recharge (hectic day at work :-)


By Anonymous on Thursday, September 17, 1998 - 03:51 pm:

OK, there is no point.We are all just part of a giant cosmic accident, and you just have to get on with it.


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