Glad to know you, and hope we can exchange notes on life.
Stephen III said:
[font="]I live in the western United States. I turned 50 this year and decided my life sucks. Taking inventory, I came up with three major issues...
I was smoking 3 packs of cigarettes a day (I quit exactly 3 months ago today)
I was fat (I still am, but working on it, 12 pounds lost so far)
I believe in nothing (I was raised protestant christian, but shook that long ago)
So these past few months I have been on a quest to find my place... and my searching has brought me here.[/font]
I guess all of us here are looking for confirmation of our own chosen and adjusted life and lifestyle, or some tips for a better life.
You mention three major issues, addiction to tobacco, obesity, and lack of a religion.
First, let me congratulate you that you are on that score of your three major issues not compelled to labor most hours of the day that you have no time for surfing the net and exchanging messages in discussion boards.
That already is a very great blessing.
That kind of a status is what I would imagine modern humanism is all about, namely, that man be liberated from the burdens of meeting his biological needs, so that he can give himself to the things of the mind and the arts.
Terrific life, I should say, and we are the privileged ones.
So, be glad then, that we are not like those poor souls in Dafur.
In the meantime, can you do me a favor if and when you read my posts. to tell me what you think are my peculiar unpleasant or pleasant personality traits.
I can always do with some useful criticism of myself, even though some people will get the impression that I am angling for narcissistic pats on my shoulders. Let them think as they prefer, but my request is also addressed to them.
Pachomius2000