[QUOTE=-dc,Feb 22 2008, 02:19 PM] What I have learned from everything from Christ to Budhism is that finding peace and happiness is a choice.

 

Bitches?

 

C_unit ftw!!!!

 

[QUOTE=-dc,Feb 22 2008, 02:19 PM]Scot,

I'm curious about my purpose too.

 

Ok, I did not read any of this thread beyond to OP so if my manifesto is a copy of someone else's, I beg your pardon.

Mostly my purpose in life is to try to be a good person, enjoy things without harming others, follow my religious tenants, and leave the place better than I found it if I can.

Thats about as brief as I can be but I thought about the same thing once and came to some conclusions about what to do daily in order to be a happy person.

If you are not a positive person, you can train yourself to be. The glass is half full and look for the silver lining in everything.

Witness something beautiful every day. It does not have to be something amazing, it can be watching one of your children sleeping, your significant other, the smile your dog makes when you play with him, a sunset, a picture of a lost parent. Beauty is everywhere, you have to take the time to witness.

Give and receive love each day. Wether it be with a spouse, a friend, parent or child. Give the kids a hug and get one back. Tell your parents how much they meant to you. (I know Scot you aren't a big fan of your Dad, with me its my Mom) It comes back to you. Spend some time making contact with a friend you have not spoken to in a while. It does not have to be mushy.

Laugh. Its important. And don't take yourself so seriously you can't laugh at your own expense. SOmetimes days are hectic, and when I have had a really crappy one, it is always nice to watch a rerun of a favorite sitcom just to get a couple of laughs in and not go to bed sour.

Do good deeds, don't ask for repayment.

Surround yourself with good friends as much as possible. Make new ones in every stage of life. That last part is extremely important.

Thats about it. Not everyone is supposed to cure cancer. Maybe it is your job to make sure your kids turn out to be good people and not like Taste-T. The planet can be a crappy place and you are either part of the problem or part of the solution. Raise selfless kids with good character that don't have a me-first attitude and youu have fulfilled one of the most important roles out there. One that too many people fail at.

End of sermon.

 

I still remember you describing your mom as an overweight piece of chewing gum when she wears some kind of all pink sweat suit (or something like that).....

I actually get along well with my dad... i wish at some point I could why he was such a dick when we were kids but i never will... nothing good could come of it so i just moved on...... My sister sometimes brings up shit which turns into a nightmare... doh!!!

i think my purpose was to post pictures of Crystal's fine / perfectly round ass!!!!

 

Yeah, when she wears a pink sweatsuit she looks like a giant wad a chewed bubble gum with hair stuck to it.

 

And an acceptable contribution to my life, you have made. Please continue.
I miss her and I didn't even know her.


I think Chris Stack said it best when he commented:

Very true words that I agree with 100%, coming from my non-religious point of view.

If you are a compassionate person then you will spend your life trying to enrich the lives of those around you. It's not a destination you will someday reach, it's a never-ending journey. There are some pretty great way-points along the way that will be sure to raise your spirits but some that will also likely test your faith in the goodness of humanity. But the ups and downs are part of the journey and are what keep it interesting and rewarding.

 

What works for one person doesn't work for others.


Personally my self-chosen "purpose" in life is to essentially be the best person I can be and I welcome that challenge. To me, that means always being open to growth (huge for me). It means resolving my personal issues (ongoing ) and contributing to society in ways I feel are meaningful. I've chosen a profession that (hopefully) contributes to a better world and similarly try to choose volunteer activities. Learning is huge for me (whether it be through travel, learning about the experiences of others, etc.).

I'm thinking of the Blind Melon lyric... Keep on dreaming boy, cause when you stop dreamin' it's time to die. That's kinda my philosophy - if you don't have a vision of who you would like to be, where you would like to be, and take action to get there, life is pointless.

 

I hope to never get to the point that my life is all about me or me being lazy or not really contributing....