Posted by Emme on May 31, 2004, at 20:43:02
In reply to Re: massive rant about being single » Emme, posted by tabitha on May 31, 2004, at 15:41:34
> the 'meaning of life' thing eludes me too. When it seems all my energy just goes into working for pay, and keeping up myself and my home, I feel really lacking in purpose. I keep begging my therapist to give me a clue. She just smiles and says it's whatever I want it to be. Well OK,,, but when do I figure that out? Not much insight yet.
Sounds like your therapist doesn't know any more than you do. :) Sounds like quite a few of us are in the dark about the meaning of life, the universe, and everything. :) I keep wondering if depression makes me too existential for my own good. Or are many depressed people too introspective and existential to begin with? Being idealistic is such a pain in the neck.
You know, being in school gave me a lot of focus for a long time. You have a tangible goal dangling in front of you. Whatever job I get next won't have a concrete end point attached to it - at least not in the same way. If I don't feel strongly about the work, I could see myself feeling a lack of purpose. I guess my next end point will be...umm....a trip to a sperm bank?
Hey....let's get sappy and do an existential "meaning of life" 10. Why are we here, what's important, and why should we bother to stick around?
1. To serve our communities at some point in whatever small way we can.
2. To give and receive love from families and friends.
3. To look after the well being of our family and friends. And society at large.
4. To help carry on cultural traditions.
5. To develop our talents as best we can and to keep learning and learning.
6. I guess we shouldn't forget about nature. We share large portions of our DNA with things like frogs and pumpkins, so we might as well be kind to our extended family so to speak.
7. Personal expression - music, art, literature.
8. To laugh a lot. (may be tougher for this crowd.)
9. This may sound shallow but I'll throw it out: enjoy our bodies as best we can. Walk, run, bike. Dress in the styles we like, get a massage, do things that feel good.
10. Maybe being alive is all about experiencing decadent pleasures and we should all become hedonists. Depressed, anxious hedonists. Or is that an oxymoron? I'll lead the way in chocolate.Hmm. I'm not sure I've gotten myself any closer to the meaning of life, but it's an interesting exercise.
poster:Emme
thread:352101
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040525/msgs/352535.html