Boswell Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 I was feeling a bit confused about life so i had a little search on the web and I found the passage below, have a read it really cheered me up and motivated me and hopefully it will do the same for you. What's the Point of Life? Take life as you find it, but don't leave it that wayAfter work, the four members of the marketing team went to the pub for their weekly get-together. Unlike the past, today's subject was a heavy one. Instead of talking about sports, politics, or women, they broached the subject of LIFE. Casper started. "You know," he said, "life is nothing more than a sexually transmitted disease, and a terminal one at that.""You're right," Xavier chimed in, "all life is, is a substance that temporarily prevents our bodies from rotting." On a more benign note, Spencer yawned and said, "Life is something you do when you can't sleep."While pushing the frame of his eyeglasses firmly on his nose, Errol added, "Here's what I think. A person who works hard and accomplishes a great deal meets the same fate as one that doesn't, for they both die. So, what's the point of it all if it all ends in death?"Those who, like Errol, can't help wondering what the point of it all is are focusing on the wrong thing, death. For if you focus on life, the answer immediately becomes clear. The point of it all is to live a life of exuberance, joy, excitement, and wonder. The point of life is to experience the excitement of discovery, joy of achievement, and wonder of mystery. The point is to take delight in the surprises that constantly come our way.Simply put, the point of life is to enjoy it; that is, to live IN JOY. Since we cannot give away what we do not have, it is important that we meet our own needs first. Ultimately, however, the reason for enjoying life is to make the lives of others enjoyable. For as George Eliot (pseudonym of Mary Ann Evans Cross, 1819 ~ 1880) wrote, "What do we live for; if it is not to make life less difficult to each other?"Adam Lindsay Gordon (1833 ~ 1870) expressed similar sentiments in verse:"Life is mostly froth and bubble,Two things stand like stone,Kindness in another's trouble,Courage in your own."The point of it all is to make a point, to have a reason for being, to be a point of light by making a difference. In other words, the purpose of life is to live a life of purpose. Usually, we don't have to waste time trying to discover our life purpose because it is not to be found, but to be created by us.If your personal calling is not obvious to you, be still for a moment and ask your inner wisdom for guidance. Franz Kafka (1883 ~ 1924) explains: "Life's splendor forever lies in wait about each one of us in all its fullness, but veiled from view, deep down, invisible, far off. It is there, though, not hostile, not reluctant, not deaf. If you summon it by the right word, by its right name, it will come."What's the point of being successful and having plenty to live on if one has nothing to live for? So, pick a cause. It is belief in something greater than you and enthusiasm in pursuing it that makes life worth living.Some complain about the minor irritants and misfortunes that come their way. But so-called 'problems' are blessings for they provide the contrast that allows us to enjoy life. For example, Canadians love to escape from their harsh winters by visiting Florida and Hawaii. They find the contrast in weather delightful. So it is with the rest of life. The reason we enjoy the good times so much is because of the bad times. So, learn how to accept the bad with the good. Or, as Roger C. Anderson put it, "Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue."Others complain that life isn't fair, but that hardly is the case. After all, rich or poor, male or female, young or old, we all receive the same allotment of 86,400 seconds a day. That's fair isn't it? If some choose to use that time wisely and others choose to squander it, that's not the fault of life, is it? Also, what can be fairer than reaping what we sow?Besides, as Lewis L Dunnington explains, "What life means to us is determined, not so much by what life brings to us as by the attitude we bring to life; not so much by what happens to us as by our reaction to what happens." Thomas L. Holdcroft shares an equally valid view, "Life is a grindstone. Whether it grinds us down or polishes us up depends on us."Some believe in life after death, but what about life after birth? What's the point of life if you're not really living it? You probably agree with Philip Larkin (1922 ~ 1986) who wrote, "Life has a practice of living you, if you don't live it." So, get involved with life by doing and experiencing as much as possible. After all, not to engage with life is not to live at all. Isn't it better to die alive than to live dead?Because of the brevity of life, the time to start living is now. Here are three quotes to forcefully bring home this message: 1. "For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away (James 4:14). 2. "This life of separateness may be compared to a dream, a phantasm, a bubble, a shadow, a drop of dew, a flash of lightning." (Buddha, 568 ~ 488 BC) 3. "When one subtracts from life infancy (which is vegetation), sleep, eating and swilling, buttoning and unbuttoning - how much remains of downright existence? The summer of a dormouse." (Lord Byron, 1788 ~ 1824)Yes, life is like a taxi. Whether you're an active participant or not, the meter keeps ticking. But don't despair, for today you still have 100% of the remainder of your life left. You still have time to act. You still have time to make the right choice. And while we're on the subject of choices, remember that "There is a choice you have to make, In everything you do. And you must always keep in mind, The choice you make, makes you." (author unknown)So, don't take life for granted. Take it with gratitude. And leave it in better shape than you found it. Do you want to guarantee a successful life and peaceful death? Then follow the advice of Christian Fürchtegott Gellert (1715 ~ 1769) who wrote, "Live as you would have wished to live when you come to die."© Chuck GallozziFor more articles and contact information,Visit http://www.personal-development.com/chuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Kearns Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 Life's shit.End of.Nothing glamourous about it. Everything you try to achieve good in life...Always ends up sour.Danny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Token Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 Emo!Just appreciate what you have in life, your friends and family. They are the most important things, and your pretty important to them. Don't be sour though, all good things come to an end, just appreciate it an make the most of it while it's there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haz Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 I could type some really relevant stuff in here which would make sense, but I didn't read that and all I have to say is...Because I'm in that kind of mood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muel Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 Nice way to kill the vibe Danny!I look at it as, I'm just here for the laughs, I want to make the best of my life, while enjoying it to the full. So I put in as much effort as I can stand to into everything.My only real regret so far is giving up swimming, I could have been good. Dunno how good but I was supposed to trial for the Stockport team, and gave up at my peak. They sent about 25% of their people the commenwelth games that year.The reason that I gave up was I didn't want it to dominate my life, all the people you idolise are professionals in their field, they take it so seriously that it dominates their entire lives. I just liked people being amazed as I swam 4 legnths flat out before I slowed down. I knew that I would now have to train properly, and I was only going 3 times a week for about 1.5 hours, I needed to be going for about 1.5/2 hours a day to make any real progress, and I didn't want to, so rather than sticking with it and joining the school team, I quit and hardly ever went back.But I'm changing that now, I know I'll never be any good again, but I want to remember what feeling fit was like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Arnold Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 bloody heck danny kearns life's good, just enjoy it! sometimes i like not to get caught up in the rat race Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Kearns Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 Emo!Haha. Was waiting for that. So, I psot a picture of me on here and i get called a chav.I now type my point of view on something and im an Emo haha.Wierd.But that is my serious outlook on the word "Life" because everythings negative in my life it really is.Danny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Token Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 Get into bed totally naked, that's a good feeling worth living for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Kearns Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 Get into bed totally naked, that's a good feeling worth living for.Do it religiously every night Danny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boswell Posted January 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 Do it religiously every night Danny.Me too! We should start a poll! "Do you sleep naked?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonMack Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 Depends if I've had a wank or not. Prefer sleeping naked after a wank, reminds me of the rare times that I actually sleep with a girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boswell Posted January 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 How did a convo about life end up turning into one about sleeping naked! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonMack Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 Scopse is a dirty b'stard thats how! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Kearns Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 Depends if I've had a wank or not. Prefer sleeping naked after a wank, reminds me of the rare times that I actually sleep with a girl.JonMack.co.uk says:im hoping its deepthroat but you know, id be happy with anythinJonMack.co.uk says:Danny Kearns -Two Worlds Collide, Rival Nation's | Onza T-Pro Frame Wanted ! says:LMFAOJonMack.co.uk says:nah shes not tht kinda girl it will just be somethin nice like a hugJonMack.co.uk says:check my reply in the Life threadLMFAOHow did a convo about life end up turning into one about sleeping naked! Ermmm, Scopse Danny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonMack Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 Kearns takes it too far!Well... actually it was me! Sorry :$ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Anscombe Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 Life is what you make it.......every one goes through the good and bad times.....but whats the point in living if ur only going to die thats the bit that always gets me danny life will get better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BONGO Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 Life's shit.End of.Nothing glamourous about it. Everything you try to achieve good in life...Always ends up sour.Danny.you have nobody to blame but yourself... You are the only one that can make you happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Cristoff Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 Live without regrets, otherwise you'll get nowhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muel Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 I got told I was too enthusiastic about my weights today. Well, I'm like that about nearly everything. Apart from trials at the moment, which is a bit shit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hI-OOPS-CAPS Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 ive always dreamt of becoming a hedonist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haz Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 you have nobody to blame but yourself... You are the only one that can make you happy.Why is it then we strive to find a significant other? I'm not entirely sure if you'd consider you making yourself happy, or your partner making yourself happy.Same goes for friendship really, you arn't hanging around with other people, so why them, why do you consider them your friends, why don't you spend your time alone, what ever gave you the idea of going out and meeting people?Nevertheless, sleeping naked > * Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_ Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 Sometimes I actually cannot sleep unless naked.To be honest. I am very very glad I exist. I mean sure life never really goes how you want it to (unless your one of those b*****d people that EVERYTHING goes right for and end up a millionaire by the time your 25) (although Im sure they have things there not happy with money doesnt equal happpyness) But really Im just happy Im alive and as far as I can see I just have to make the most of what life throws at me no matter how bad as alot of it I cant change and I need to deal with it, guess it could be worse really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krisboats Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 Why is it then we strive to find a significant other? I'm not entirely sure if you'd consider you making yourself happy, or your partner making yourself happy.Same goes for friendship really, you arn't hanging around with other people, so why them, why do you consider them your friends, why don't you spend your time alone, what ever gave you the idea of going out and meeting people?I think Johns trying to point out that if danny isn't happy with his life he should actively seek to change at least one thing to try and better it. Seeing as danny said everythings shit i think the implication is that danny hasn't tried to change it, which he may or may not have, i don't know. In your example though johns point would imply that you are in control of finding yourself a significant other, not that such a thing won't actually make you happy and that being comepletely alone all your life with just yourself will.I think you are over-dramatising a bit though danny, you've got friends who care about you (i guess i'm one of those)... so not everything is so bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BONGO Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 Why is it then we strive to find a significant other? I'm not entirely sure if you'd consider you making yourself happy, or your partner making yourself happy.Same goes for friendship really, you arn't hanging around with other people, so why them, why do you consider them your friends, why don't you spend your time alone, what ever gave you the idea of going out and meeting people?Nevertheless, sleeping naked > *Kris get's me lol.I'm single... i want to be single. I'm happy single and i'm happy on my own. I can make myself as happy as anyone in the world in any situation. I have some amazing friends, the best in the world. Yeah they make me happy, but i only met them becasue i made it happen. Even your friends can't make you happy though. They can help, but you need the extra ingredient that comes from within to make you actually happy. In a life as happy as mine, why seek a partner? That's how i live. I go out with a girl if i meet her and really think she will improve my already brilliant life, otherwise i won't bother. I'll not look for a partner but if one turns up then fine. Just becasue most people live in a certain way doesn't mean it's the right way to live. I'm very unusual in work, as everyone has kids and wives, houses and in my eyes, very boring lives. As a rule i want to laugh at something everyday and make someone else laugh. Too many people forget what laughter does to you and don't do it enough. It's up to you to be happy and you need to use your money, your mind, your friends, sports, hobbies and places to do it. Money can't buy happiness etc etc. Kind of true, but if money can buy you a bike and riding makes you content, then....I learnt how to make myself happy the first time i split up from a girl. It took a while, but it changed me for the better. I know what works and what doesn't, and i now know how to be happy and how to remember what i have going for me. It's annoying to hear others saying how life is shit as if they expect somebody else to sort it. It's not like a broken TV wher eyou can call someone out, it's life, it's complex and it's only you that can sort it, so realise it and do it.Bongo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1a2bcio8 Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 (edited) You'll never find a consistent form of happiness when it rests on objects in the world. None of them are constant and what you like about them one moment, you'll only dislike on another. Additionally, whenever we describe an object as being bad or good, we are only describing our thoughts or reaction to it and not the thing in itself. The world, before we start dealing with it in our heads, is neither good nor bad, it just is. You are the one that makes yourself feel bad or good by the way you think about it and then react to that thinking. Change the thoughts or stop paying attention to them and you begin to live the world in a more desirable way.I think, based on experience, that if you want to be the happiest you can, you need to tap into the experience of existing, as it's the most constant thing in your life and I suspect for everyone regardless of if they know it or not, it's the most rewarding realisation. "I exist? what the f**k is that all about?". It seems amazing to me that anything actually is. Easier said that done to realise it though. I forget it most of the time despite involving myself in specific type of activities to realise it. I'm usually trying to find happiness by identifying myself with the labels i can use to describe the type of activities i involve myself in or the type of objects I own. Very short lived and limited way of establishing happiness but unfortunately, the norm. Edited January 4, 2008 by rowly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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