zimszimer1 wrote: » I've been thinking about this a lot recently. I don't want children so what's the point if reproduction isn't the purpose. I've decided my sole purpose is to try and enjoy life until I'm So ya, slightly off topic but the sole purpose of life for me is to be the happiest version of myself. If I can help others on the way added bonus. At the very least, I try not to obstruct other ppls happiness by being a sh$t human being. All the rest doesn't matter. I know life won't always be great but I subscribe to the theory that we will never understand highs unless we've experienced the lows which are part of life. Viktor Frankl’s - 'Man's Search for Meaning' is available for free on PDF online. Fantastic read for anyone that's interested in the topic!
Peonygrace wrote: » When I feel more philosophical I'm not even sure the species is supposed to survive...everything is a cycle. Extinction of humanity might just be part of the whole cosmic mystery. Who knows?
pangbang wrote: » You work on the tree of woe? Cool!
Lady is a tramp wrote: » To be my most authentic self. I'm well on my way there, I've the most amazing psychotherapist in the world, and the more we work together, the more the world becomes full of colour rather than shades of black and white and grey. It's exciting and terrifying, to wake up to the real world just as amazing as it is. But definitely more exciting than terrifying. I'm constantly astounded at how many people go through their lives so unaware of and oblivious to reality. I know it all too well; I was one of them for far too long! I was functional; high-flying career, relationship, baby, all of the rest. But I was so far removed from the person I actually am ... or rather, the person I've potential to be. I was like this effigy of other peoples' expectations of who I should/could be, with so little of ME in there. Not any more. I'm much better as the real me, and the best ME that I can be.
Oink wrote: » Sometimes I remember that we're just a bunch of atoms floating in space and that with enough perspective, none of this is worth a rat's fart. "Oh some random collection of atoms just went kaboom in that tiny, tiny, tiiiiny galaxy in that corner. Was that a planet? A star? Who knows. Ah well." .
Inc0nnu wrote: » This post is gonna be super cynical but anyway, the way I see it, the purpose of life for every single creature on earth is survival of themselves and the species. That's it. You're born, you survive long enough to pass on your genetic information and then you die. Why would humans be any different from everything else? The belief that humans aren't subject to the same meaning as every other creature is kind of arrogant imo. I also think trying to persue happiness is a pointless endevour. I don't think it's possible to totally happy with what you have. The best example for this that I can think of is the fact that we live in the greatest time in human history in terms of wealth and quality of living, and yet so many people are dissatisfied/depressed/anxious. Making happiness the meaning of life is setting yourself up for dissapointment imo. Discontentment is the norm. A lot of people seem to have this idea that if they accumulate a certain amount of money they'll achieve happiness, or if they get famous, or rise up the career ladder they'll be totally content. But rich/famous people still have problems. Nice problems to have from some people's perspective but they still have a negative effect on their ability to be happy. I think the truth is, once someone achieves what they initaially want, pretty soon they're only left desiring more. So the solution is to formulate and chase *new* goals, believing that this time they (even though it didn't work the last time) will give them this elusive happiness they seek. It's like heroin or something. tl;dr - I don't think there is any meaning to life. If you want meaning I think you have to create it yourself. It's kind of liberating in a way. There's no set path so you gotta pave your own. Reminds me of a quote, "The literal meaning of life is whatever your doing that prevents you from killling yourself."
_Whimsical_ wrote: » That's a really inspiring post.
Johngoose wrote: » I'm being a bit cynical here myself, even though not very cynical in my day to day life...Anyway here goes...Is it possible that the people with children give up on their own goals and that is what makes them think that rearing kids is the best thing ever? They get an opt out clause when it comes to their own aspirations, it now becomes more about little Johnny becoming a doctor/ rugby player or actor.They can quietly put their own dreams on the back burner? Is it possible that this is what is so great about having kids, it's no longer that you failed in your particular life goals?
One_Of_Shanks wrote: » Got all the above now and still can't say I enjoy life. It's all stress. So I'm at a loss.
Pac1Man wrote: » Is it work related stress?
One_Of_Shanks wrote: » it's not a big deal. I didn't expect any follow-up questions
LadyMacBeth_ wrote: » I don't mean what is the meaning of life
