big hugs and compassion all around.
Why does life have to mean anything?
- Thread starter Paladin
- Start date
In the movie "Free Jack", the character played by Emmilio Estevaz asked pretty much the same question. There was a wise man sitting by the Hudson river (eating good rat), who answered him, "Have you ever seen an Eagle fly?...then in the middle of bringing food home for his family thought (this is a b^*#ch, and his eyes went crossed like the cartoons, and he fell and was no more?". Estevaz's character says "no", and the wise man (eating rat), answers "Neither have I, 'cause the eagle has too much pride."
If there is nothing else, there is man's pride. In other words there has got to be more than just this tempestuous and changing world. There must be a reason, we exist. And science doesn't have the answers, and religion might not have the answers, so we best find the answers we are all asking...because we have too much pride to just give up and quit...
my thoughts.
v/r
Q
If there is nothing else, there is man's pride. In other words there has got to be more than just this tempestuous and changing world. There must be a reason, we exist. And science doesn't have the answers, and religion might not have the answers, so we best find the answers we are all asking...because we have too much pride to just give up and quit...
my thoughts.
v/r
Q
flowperson
Oannes
There are a number of biblical scholars that believe that Job may be the oldest book in the Bible in terms of its chronological age, and that it likely existed as an oral tradition among the desert peoples long before there were Hebrews around to codify it and set it down in writing. It teaches the value of patience, the importance of dealing with chaos in one's life without bitterness and anger, the value of entering and living through periods of mourning for things lost or expected, how to deal with the well-intended help of friends who do (or don't) try to help, and speaks of redemption in the face of hopelessness.
M. Scott Peck held the first of these attributes among the principles he related in his book, The Road Less Traveled, to be of primary importance to one's mental well being and health. He called it, an ability to delay gratification.
I've read most of your posts Ruby, and I find that you have a wonderful mind and an uncanny sense regarding the most effective ways to use it. We've all been through tough stuff and hopelessness, but maybe not as deep and as intense as yours. The very fact that you are still open and communicative about all of that shows that your contributions are respected and valued here. I was particularly struck by your sense of wonder and awe regarding nature and the natural world in general.
In short, I don't believe that Job is a fairy tale and neither do some scholars. And, at least one of its mythical themes was important enough to be featured in the most successful self-help book of modern times by a renowned psychiatrist and author, who is no longer with us, sadly. And, I believe that you are proving each day, if only through your active participation here, that you are not immersed in hopelessness, and are willing to celebrate the gift of life by enlightening us with your thoughts and feelings.
Have you tried obtaining an I-pod or other mp3 music player and just listening to your favorite tunes when you feel down ? St. John's Wort, Kava Kava, incense, scented candles, essential oils ? Such things, when prudently used to alter one's mood, can really help.
In short, take it all one day at a time, treat yourself in special ways once in a while, and let life surprise you, because that's what it's supposed to do. And remember to laugh at yourself as much as possible because... we deserve it.
flow....
M. Scott Peck held the first of these attributes among the principles he related in his book, The Road Less Traveled, to be of primary importance to one's mental well being and health. He called it, an ability to delay gratification.
I've read most of your posts Ruby, and I find that you have a wonderful mind and an uncanny sense regarding the most effective ways to use it. We've all been through tough stuff and hopelessness, but maybe not as deep and as intense as yours. The very fact that you are still open and communicative about all of that shows that your contributions are respected and valued here. I was particularly struck by your sense of wonder and awe regarding nature and the natural world in general.
In short, I don't believe that Job is a fairy tale and neither do some scholars. And, at least one of its mythical themes was important enough to be featured in the most successful self-help book of modern times by a renowned psychiatrist and author, who is no longer with us, sadly. And, I believe that you are proving each day, if only through your active participation here, that you are not immersed in hopelessness, and are willing to celebrate the gift of life by enlightening us with your thoughts and feelings.
Have you tried obtaining an I-pod or other mp3 music player and just listening to your favorite tunes when you feel down ? St. John's Wort, Kava Kava, incense, scented candles, essential oils ? Such things, when prudently used to alter one's mood, can really help.
In short, take it all one day at a time, treat yourself in special ways once in a while, and let life surprise you, because that's what it's supposed to do. And remember to laugh at yourself as much as possible because... we deserve it.
flow....
RubySera_Martin
Well-Known Member
Quahom1 said:
If that answer were actually accurate then there would never ever have been a law against suicide. If Christianity would see suicide i.e. "just give up and quit" as acceptable then there would never ever have been a law against suicide, there would never have been sermons against it or any other practices to shush it up and not talk about it and burying suicide victims outside the cemetary and shunning the sinner in death as well as in life.
Even with all of these strictures gone from our society in general, we still do all within human power to prevent suicides. WHY? It's the ultimate self-denial. Even if you judge it as ultimate selfishness, you're violating ethics. You're passing judgment on the validity of another person's feelings. And you're just postponing the inevitable--death for that person.
Virtual_Cliff
Well-Known Member
RubySera_Martin said:
It is true that not everyone's life is a "happily ever after" story. Many people have died in appalling circumstances when everything they stood for seemd to have crashed in flames. Ann Frank (sp?) is but one example. Yet the very fact that they remained true to their own integrity to the end is an inspiration to everyone who comes after. Their strength gives us strength when we are low. There is meaning sometimes even when we can never know it.
Eudaimonist
In Galt We Trust
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Virtual_Cliff said:
Well put!
eudaimonia,
Mark