The Meaning of Life
by blogrdocWhat is the meaning of life? It gets asked so many times, and few every really try to answer it. For all intents and purposes, it’s a rhetorical question that we simply brush aside and move on to whatever it was we were doing. And for a good reason, I suppose.
But if we take a step back (as I often like to do), and consider that it’s a rather important question, is it not? For whatever reason, I think often about my imminent death. We’ve all got an expiration date. It’s a thoroughly depressing thought that can weigh on even the cheeriest of souls.
How depressing would it be to tragically be hit by a bus and in the last moments of consciousness regret that you didn’t make more of life?
This year, I said to hell with risking that depressing thought and I started living. Truly living.
No, I’m not traveling the world or doing anything crazy, but (almost) daily - I ask myself - is this really what I should be doing with my time on this earth? In some cases, I think I’m on the right track. In other cases, some course corrections are in order.
I think it’s an important thing to ask oneself. As a final note, I decided that I decide when I have the right answer.
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9 Responses to “The Meaning of Life”
By Alik | PracticeThis.com on Jun 29, 2008 | Reply
So you decided to live, now what?
You might want to read Matthew Kelly’s The Dream Manager book. It is not about the manager of your dream, it is about how you manage your and others dreams. Then define your life projects and objectives in each.
http://practicethis.com/2008/06/20/time-management-do-you-control-your-life-or-life-controls-you/
Physical
Emotional
Intellectual
Spiritual
Psychological
Material
Professional
Financial
Creative
Adventure
Legacy
Character
Then you might want to read The Power Of Full Engagement to manage your personal energy to the max
http://practicethis.com/2008/03/06/4-dimensions-of-personal-power/
I think living to the max is achieving to the max. Some decide to achieve more money, some decide to achieve more spiritual capital, some try to balance
What are you after?
By Alik | PracticeThis.com on Jun 29, 2008 | Reply
This is the quote i’ve just read on your site:
As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live. — Johann Von Goethe
By blogrdoc on Jun 30, 2008 | Reply
Alik: “The Power Of Full Engagement”… I really try to limit what I read (been reading a lot of photography stuff lately), but this sounds like a very interesting read. I remember your blog post about it. I’ll try to check it out from library.
As far as my goals, put simply: I want to make sure my time is well spent. One goal of mine is to raise funds to build a village for a charity that I’m working for. It’s a dream right now. But I’m chipping away at it. Thanks to Experiment 1, I’ve generated nearly $900 this year. I’ve made some modifications and the income is very passive right now.
By chris on Jun 30, 2008 | Reply
I’m fortunate no to ask this question because I already know the answer.
What is the meaning of my life? My children!
By blogrdoc on Jun 30, 2008 | Reply
@Chris, that’s actually the topic of one of my future blog posts. One of the biggest changes I made in 2008 is that regardless of how busy I am at work, I start wrapping everything up at around 4:30. I wish my kids would stay the same age forever. While on one hand, they are the most important; the reality is that they will grow up and leave the house as well at some point. I left the house when I was 17 and never again did I stay ‘home’ for longer than a couple months after that.
Really and truly, I wish I could become independently weatlh, and do nothing but spend time with family and friends and work on things that I *really* *really* feel passionate about.
Since I still have to work, I figure I’d go ahead and live out this dream anyway.. albeit on a less grand scale :)
“The days are long, but the years are fast”, no? Actually, I feel that the days are fast, too!
By AJC @ 7million7years on Jul 10, 2008 | Reply
I’m making that transition now … working on my blog and ‘experiment’ ( 7m7y.com ) are two of the things that I am passionate about, but I am still trying to sort my new investing profile out in the current jumpy markets and am planning a move ‘back home’ at the end of the year. All in all … much too busy for somebody who’s supposed to be ‘kicking back’.
Or, I could simply say I am retired … emphasis on tired ;)
By blogrdoc on Jul 10, 2008 | Reply
@AJC: conversely, I feel I’m far too laid back for someone who should be trying to advance their career. :)
By Lance on Aug 15, 2008 | Reply
Interesting post - in that I’ve been having the same thoughts this year - asking myself if I’m doing what I was meant to do here on earth. In the process, I’ve learned a lot about myself. It has been a very introspective time. And, I consider it - time well spent. Life is a journey, and I’m enjoying the journey as I learn more about myself everyday. I wish you the same on your journey.
By blogrdoc on Aug 16, 2008 | Reply
thanks, Lance for your comments. Best wishes to you and yours.