| Aug 18, 2006 @ 10:10 PM |
Whoever said..
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jeanc200358
Posts: 934
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...life is too short to take it seriously probably hasn't ever come close to death before.
While I do think that a lot of people who say that do mean that life is too short to not be happy, I also think a lot of people take that and run with it and do all kinds of destructive things to their body, their mind and their spirit and figure, "Tonight we drink (both literally and metaphorically) for tomorrow we may die!"
I love to laugh and cut up and have fun and all of that good stuff, but I don't take anything for granted. That can be a detrimental thing sometimes, because it makes one vulnerable to being hurt more deeply, I think.
But, I am who I am and, so, my "mantra," if you will, is "life is too short to NOT take it seriously."
What about you? How do you view your life, your family and friends, your pets, other people, and just life in general? Do you feel you really have a reason for being here?
It says somewhere in the Bible that we each have a specific purpose in life. I'd hate to think that centers around our jobs or what we "do" 8-5, but, rather goes a little bit deeper to that insofar as what kind of "footprint" we leave on this earth after we die.
Since I'm a Christian I believe in Heaven and believe that the "afterlife" there will compensate for all of the hurt, anger, sorrow, pain and suffering we endure on Earth.
I'm not a Bible-thumping, church going, tract passer-outing, chase you around while you're trying to mow the lawn type of Christian, have not been to church in ages, but I still believe in God and I am an introspective, "spiritual" type thinker. But I feel like I'm still not quite 100% clear on what or who it is I'm supposed to be. "Single" is one of the things that come to mind. LOL.
(Maybe this should go in the religion thread, but it doesn't have to do with religion, per se, because not everyone here is "religious.")
Anyhoo...
Feel free to comment as it applies, or doesn't apply, to you.
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| Aug 18, 2006 @ 10:36 PM |
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Palomino
Posts: 7,635
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"There is a joy in life I've come to know. I found it
while I was living in my own head. It is a simplicity,
a freedom, yes, a validation. I think it is that I
may have finally, at least to some degree, learned to
accept myself, even for the things I would have
otherwise given a choice."
~guitarish
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| Aug 18, 2006 @ 10:55 PM |
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Jankia
Posts: 11,909
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What about you? How do you view your life, your family and friends, your pets, other people, and just life in general? Do you feel you really have a reason for being here?
I believe my reason for being here was to father my son.Not to make less of my daughter but thats truly what I believe.I've only been married once and it wasnt because of love.My ex never finished highschool and I only did because I had to.
For example my mother told me the day I came home after passing my flight exam that I had studied more for that than I did in all four years of highschool.
I'm proud to say my boy was on the high honor roll all four years of highschool and made the National Honor Society after his first year of college.
He is going to be what his old man never tried to be.
That part of his life didnt come from me or his mother.
It came from God.
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| Aug 18, 2006 @ 11:27 PM |
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lonewolf299
Posts: 109
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It is because our time here is so short that we should life to the fullest. Don't be afraid to do what you feel, if want to laugh then laugh, if you want to cry then cry. All it comes down to is that when it is all over, you are satisified with what you have done.
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| Aug 18, 2006 @ 11:33 PM |
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Palomino
Posts: 7,635
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"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving
safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in
broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly
proclaiming... 'Wow! What a ride!'"
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| Aug 18, 2006 @ 11:36 PM |
Whoever said.. |
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SunBabe
Posts: 12,279
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"There is a joy in life I've come to know. I found it
while I was living in my own head. It is a simplicity,
a freedom, yes, a validation. I think it is that I
may have finally, at least to some degree, learned to
accept myself, even for the things I would have
otherwise given a choice."
~guitarish
One hell of a smart man, Pali..... 
I heard that his punchline was "Life's a kick"....written in stone.
...life is too short to take it seriously probably hasn't ever come close to death before.
Maybe those who've come close to death are the ones who embrace that concept....
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| Aug 19, 2006 @ 12:00 AM |
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jeanc200358
Posts: 934
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I guess I'm obviously looking at it from a personal perspective and reflecting on all the years I WASTED getting WASTED...
Was it fun? Yeah, sure it was.
Is having FUN what life is ALL about?
Not even close.
I'm not making judgment calls about certain behaviors just because I quit doing them, but just saying "all" of us, it seems, tend to take life for granted.
Life is short, so...why not go ahead and engage in destructive and unhealthy behavior (because it's FUN!) because, we're gonna die anyway...
Having been close to death before, it changes ones perspective a whole bunch. Took me a good 20 years, but it finally dawned on me that I was viewing life from the wrong perspective.
Don't not "indulge" yourself, but take life seriously enough that you don't end up ruining your life at the least, or killing yourself at the worst, all in the name of "having fun."
I hope that makes sense; its late and the Care Bears are floating above my head again.
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| Aug 19, 2006 @ 12:05 AM |
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kattsmeow
Posts: 22,629
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Pal:"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving
safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in
broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly
proclaiming... 'Wow! What a ride!'"
I totally agree with this. My mother before she died told me this one.
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| Aug 19, 2006 @ 12:11 AM |
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SunBabe
Posts: 12,279
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I think it's definitely a different perspective...and some of us may see that all the years we spent being serious and everyone else's CareBear didn't leave a lot of time left to discover and enjoy the other side of 'us'...
Tonight we eat, drink and be merry (both literally and metaphorically) for tomorrow we may die doesn't mean we have to be destructive...just free to live life to the fullest and as best for each of us, individually.
"LIFE is not a dress rehersal...."
Cap'n Larry~
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| Aug 19, 2006 @ 12:18 AM |
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kattsmeow
Posts: 22,629
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I think I might have came close to saying that same thing around 2-3 years ago.
All the things I put on hold to raise my family, it was time for me to Fly!
I have did so many things in the these last few years, I am thankful for them too.
Am I going to take life seriously? Some times,,,,and then,,,there is a time to jump up and yell,,,and shake your booty!!!!!
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| Aug 19, 2006 @ 12:19 AM |
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DoorWatcher
Posts: 6,259
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Jankia: Speaking from a daughter who was neglected by a dad, please say you didn't mean how you sounded.
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| Aug 19, 2006 @ 12:29 AM |
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jeanc200358
Posts: 934
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I think it's definitely a different perspective...and some of us may see that all the years we spent being serious and everyone else's CareBear
The CareBear reference meant I'm getting tired. I say "I see CareBears floating above my head" when I'm getting sleepy. FTR, I don't actually see them.
didn't leave a lot of time left to discover and enjoy the other side of 'us'...
OK.
Tonight we eat, drink and be merry (both literally and metaphorically) for tomorrow we may die doesn't mean we have to be destructive...just free to live life to the fullest and as best for each of us, individually.
Yes, and that's my point. And I'm not speaking entirely with regard to destructive behavior, anyway...I'm speaking also with regard to complacent and destructive attitudes...
Live life to its fullest, and have fun but don't lose sight of the value, the importance, of everything around you, for tomorrow it "may all be gone."
"LIFE is not a dress rehersal...."
Cap'n Larry~
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| Aug 19, 2006 @ 12:45 AM |
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SunBabe
Posts: 12,279
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My picking up your "CareBear" was an alternative to using the trite descriptive "mothering"...MamaBear caring for everyone else except herself (not that it didn't have its own rewards!)
Live life to its fullest, and have fun but don't lose sight of the value, the importance, of everything around you, for tomorrow it "may all be gone."
Tomorrow I may be gone...and when I go, I wanna go with no regrets -- I wanna die LIVING. 
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| Aug 19, 2006 @ 12:55 AM |
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jeanc200358
Posts: 934
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Oh, OK..
Well, no one said you should die not living.
Is there something about what I'm saying that demonstrates I'm not making my point clear? I feel like I'm put in a position of having to clarify my intent a lot..and reclarify and reclarify...or is it just me? IOW, I'm getting the impression you're arguing with me ...or...are you just making your points on their own merit and not in rebuttal to anything I'm saying?
All I'm saying is that people should be grateful for what they have, that they shouldn't be complacent and that they shouldn't take anything for granted. Have a BLAST, if you want to...but be mindful of the importance of seemingly mundane things in our lives in the process. I mean, you don't HAVE to do that, but that's how I feel, anyway....
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| Aug 19, 2006 @ 12:58 AM |
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DoorWatcher
Posts: 6,259
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We all are and do, Jean....we can't help it. We've been here awhile too...
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| Aug 19, 2006 @ 1:09 AM |
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SunBabe
Posts: 12,279
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I'm not arguing with you  Sheesh, chill. And at the risk of sounding redundant, there's no reason to become defensive when somebody has an alternative opinion... 
I've often stated my position on life...I've had several traumatizing things happen that brought me to my 'philosophy'. I don't sweat the petty stuff, nor do I dwell on the serious stuff: it's the way I stay balanced, but it may not be ideal for everybody.
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| Aug 19, 2006 @ 1:21 AM |
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Palomino
Posts: 7,635
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Do you still have those treasures in your pocket, Sunny? 
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| Aug 19, 2006 @ 1:23 AM |
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SunBabe
Posts: 12,279
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Always!!! 
And they go with me...everywhere.
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| Aug 19, 2006 @ 4:38 AM |
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LatinButterfly
Posts: 687
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Jean:
I basically think like you on this. Life is too short to not take seriously! My belief is that we are here not just for ourselves but to help one another so I make that a central aim in my life.
I used to be a church-going and "tract-passing" Christian (not much of a Bible-thumper though because I didn't like done to me...) and I don't apologize for that, it's what I believed I had to do. I just don't do it anymore because my beliefs have changed somewhat.
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| Aug 19, 2006 @ 5:07 AM |
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robodad
Posts: 7,823
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The CareBear reference meant I'm getting tired. I say "I see CareBears floating above my head" when I'm getting sleepy. FTR, I don't actually see them. That's a new one. What floats above your head when you're hungry - burgers and fries? How about.....when you're angry - sharks? 
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