Purpose in Life

[Brian37]

There is a particular quote that speaks to me regarding the purpose of life and helps me stay focused on what I believe is most important:

"A society built around the individual, rather than the family, will petrify into unspeakable emptiness.

We are not made to be a collection of individuals running around chasing our own cravings. We are made for family, and for fellowship; for sacrifice and generosity; for love.

Love doesn’t come from that third book you wanted to write, or the award you wanted to win, or the partnership you sought. None of that will come visit you when you are old and lonely, or sick and dying. All the stuff you chased down and hoarded into your little box will turn to dust before your eyes, and you’ll have only the souls you loved and gave your life for." - Jennifer Hardltline

Now I know you are a fraud.    You cant fool a former Catholic. 

Now I really hate you........ "None of that will come to visit you when you are old, lonely or sick and dying."


Sooooo true!!!!!!!!!


In all seriousness,  when I was young, my parents, especially my Mom were obsessed with image. In my Mom's old age that went away. I still understand why she tried what she tried when I was young, it simply didn't work on me because we were different personalities. But since I moved down here to take care of here, she let go of the script thinking and saw me for me.

It is true, "You can't take it with you."

[The Industrial Atheist]

At least, what I think about the most is trying to get the types of things most normal people have, seemingly without much effort. A job, a mate, my own place.
That said the obstacles in my life seem to keep me from even really pursuing these things. But that's what I think about the most.

[curiosne]

I'm struggling right now and one of the things that I'm struggling with is purpose in life.  I'm not one who believes that there is an inherent purpose to our lives any more than there is an inherent purpose to the life of a worm or a tree or an antelope.  That's never bothered me before but now I'm facing the chasm of my future and it feels so empty.

I know I'm posting this in the philosophy forum but I'm less interested in the philosophical question of meaning and purpose in life and more interested in what gives your life meaning and purpose and how I can find that for myself, post-cancer.

Hi mate

Here's something I've posted about before: what I've realised over my life, is that the meaning of life is not a question that you pose to life, but it's a question that life poses to you.

You need to figure out what you want to achieve in your life and what legacies you want to leave behind and work towards those goals. Life is what you make of it so in the time you have left, make sure that what you do has a positive impact on others and it's only by making others happy (don't forget yourself too) and strengthening your relationships with those that are close to you, will you enrich your life.

Hope that was helpful.

[Amarok]

"A society built around the individual, rather than the family, will petrify into unspeakable emptiness.

A society that focuses on the individual is a can be just as full as any one built on family .  

We are not made to be a collection of individuals running around chasing our own cravings. We are made for family, and for fellowship; for sacrifice and generosity; for love.

Yes we are it just so happens some of those individual ideals include the above . This is a false dichotomy. 

Love doesn’t come from that third book you wanted to write, or the award you wanted to win,

It is to some 

or the partnership you sought

It is to some 

None of that will come visit you when you are old and lonely, or sick and dying.

It will in your mind as will your pride in it as the final resolution comes .

All the stuff you chased down and hoarded into your little box will turn to dust before your eyes,

Hopefully you will join it . Because in death there is resolution .

and you’ll have only the souls you loved and gave your life for." - Jennifer Hardltline

Nope you'll have whatever you lived for and if the universe is kind as the light fades . You fade with a smile .

[Brian37]

I find commitment to goals to be the cornerstone to existential meaning and purpose.

This is well intended. But the downside to this is that the math is not there for everyone with a goal to end up on top. It is an oversimplification. 

I'd say the only goal anyone should have is do the best you can. I have seen lots of successful people I hate, and lots of middle class and poor people I love.

It is ok to have goals. It is not ok to go after them to the point you run over others, or become suicidal because you are chasing an unrealistic expectation. 

Life is still a crapshoot. Balance is the key.

[Fireball]

CM, do what gives you joy, and that doesn't hurt anyone else. I'm betting that the chemo medicine is still hijacking your brain. My youngest brother went through surgery, chemo and radiation for laryngeal cancer, and that stuff messed him up, psychologically, badly. I don't mean homicidal maniac, or anything like that. Just the memory and attitudinal aspects. Please just grit your teeth and hold on tight. It'll get better. Also, it's nice to see that you are back and posting.

[Foxaèr]

Watch the new season of The X-Files: guaranteed to make you feel better. <3

[rskovride]

I agree with Fireball, do what makes you happy ,whatever that may be, and try to do as little harm as possible. Our society makes it extremely hard to actually do this but I have learned to throw out the expectations and goals I have been given and create my own, for my own happiness/well-being, however unorthodox or weird it may seem.

[snowtracks]

Knowing that you are not related to the chimp. Homo sapien sapiens have the foramen magnum in the center of the skull. No fossils have been presented to show a slow progression from the back of the skull. Therefore intentionality, hence God. Since Darwin, they have been looking for the progenitor that produced the Neantherthal and Modern Human who split off from it but never seem to find those fossils for that either. Now you know you weren't randomized. So, no foramen magnum positioning established, and no progenitor found should help with your purpose quest.
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-illustr...ge62681312

[Amarok]

That is retarded