what is the meaning of life?

[mikey_al]

What is the meaning of life? Is it simply to exist, or is there more to it. Maybe the real question should be; What do I want out of life?

[tellboy]

What we think, we become.

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.
--Buddha

[rampart]

Do not just exist. Go to the pub for a pint.

[pinkiefriend]

I know what you mean by this question. It's a strange one that I have been thinking about recently. A while ago I split with my boyfriend, spent a lot of time at my mum's having talks and stuff. My mum lost her mum just over 1 year ago and she is still recovering. I think the meaning of life is whatever you put into it. If you are sad or worrying then that is a waste of time, strive to be happy! Take each day by day and be carefree and make the most of it because the scary thing is that it's just flying by us! :o) Dont let that worry you though coz we all worry about the same things, that's the crazy thing about it! Not only that but people dont talk about how they are feeling enough, we all put a brave face on, pretending to be as strong or as happy as the next person, when the next person goes through the same as we all do! I told you this is something i have been thinking about, now it's time to put it behind me. X

[rampart]

I feel bad - I should not have been glib. Sorry, mikey.

I think pinkie got it just right, that the meaning of life is what you put into it. There is much more to life than just existing. Life is to be celebrated. As for what you want out of it, my guess is that you want what most of us want: a little love, a little food, and a warm bed at night.

The tough part is love. Relationships are tough, and we have to be strong, loving, and forgiving when we are in one.

[K99]

I think that we are just here to reproduce.

So in the meantime, do what the **** you like

[mimififi]

K99 - naughty, naughty, naughty!!!

I don't know what the meaning exactly is, but living does not require me to. I try to live to the full, capitalising on that which matters most and minimising the trash. Whether I'm happy or sad, I will exist, so I may as well try to make my life (and that of others around me) a jolly good one.

(And reproduce too, I happen to be quite good at it actually-not wishing to brag or anything though, but still, it is in fact one of my actual skills.)

[crumpeter]

Why are you putting such a trivial question like that on here?
We are here to get up in the morning and use the toilet!

[Chessman]

Its a deep question, is there a purpose to us being here?, if there is, you have to believe in a higher for of life, eg God and the hereafter, if you don't believe that, then we'er here by accident, and all life as we know it, ends when you die, and there is no meaning to life.

[rampart]

Well said, Chessman.

[crumpeter]

Chessman, I know its a deep question but a totally unanswerable one as well.
I dont have any God, so whatever I do must have some meaning or maybe not!
We will never know if there is an answer and I didn't mean to trivialise the question.

[El D]

Why can't you decide what you want to do with your life on your own? Are people that powerless and pathetic that they drift rudderless? It's your life no-one elses, take responsibility for it.

[Mistopheles]

I believe the meaning of life is to make a difference somewhere - not necessarily to the whole world, just to one person will do. When I die, all I want is to know that it mattered that I lived.

[mibn2cweus]

Life is the process of self-sustaining and self-regenerative action. (acknowledgement to Ayn Rand)

Existence for humankind is unique in that we have to learn for ourselves how to live. This means understanding ourselves and our relationship to each other and the world we live in and doing what is necessary to maintain and enrich our lives.

We need a purpose, even if it is simply to answer the questions you submitted to this forum. Fulfilling our chosen purpose is what brings meaning to our lives.

Think or your life not as a job but as an adventure. You own nothing to yourself but to enjoy your life. You owe nothing to others accept the obligations that you choose in exchange for that which will help you. Demand nothing of others but accept what they are willing to give if that will help you obtain something worth giving in return.

Remember that no one understands, what you want and need most and are best able to accomplish, better than you.

Welcome to the human race.

[david small]

Dance like no one's watching
We convince ourselves that life will be better after
we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are
frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll
be more content when they are. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice holiday, when we retire.
The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than
right now. If not now, when?
Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's
best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy
anyway. For a long time it had seemed to me
that life was about to begin - real life. But there
was always some obstacle in the way, something to be got through first, some unfinished business, time
still to be served, or a debt to be paid. Then life
would begin. At last it dawned on me that these
obstacles were my life.
This perspective has helped me to see that there is no
way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So, treasure
every moment that you have time waits for no one.
So, stop waiting until you finish school,
until you go back to school,
until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds,
until you have kids, until your kids leave the house,
until you start work, until you retire,
until you get married, until you get divorced,
until Friday night, until Sunday morning,
until you get a new car or home,
until your car or home is paid off,
until spring, until summer, until autumn, until winter,
until the first or fifteenth,
until your song comes on,
to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy.
Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
Work like you don't need money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
And dance like no one's watching.

[david small]

The above was an edited version of something I read today on an internet site, I thought it apt.

[mikey_al]

Thank you all for you're insights into the question, and to be honest just reading them over the past day has helped me learn alot. I feel that i'm not lonely anymore, for a start, as others think the same as me and definately not as depressed. It's sad to think our complete existence ceases after we die and I for one don't believe this.

But maybe it is true though, however, we all live on when we die; not physically, not spiritually, but in peoples memories. Asking my Grandmother the same question, she told me to stop being scared and think of it subconciously; when i'm gone she said, sit down and try to think what I looked like. When you've got a picture of me in your head, look and see who's sitting next to you.

I will always be here and whenever you need me, look beside you and i'll be there. The true meaning of life is to live and interact and help each other find happiness.

Like much of you have said, like she is saying to me, live life to the full and make yourself and others around you happy.

[Vics]

Hi David - you say the script you typed in was just an edited version from the internet. What is the site of the full version. Thanks for finding this - I hope that Mikey found it relevant. It is very thought provoking - as I know that I for one am always thinking - "well when I've done this and this and this I will then sit down and start my life properly!!!" Of course that day when we all have a completely clear intray will never arrive. Vics x