As I am sure that most you (if not all of you) have read the preface and the first chapter by now, I thought I would use my guest blog as a forum for really exploring the concepts Eagleton discusses. So . . . . what is the meaning of life?
Do you think the “what is the meaning of life” question; is a really question or pseudo question? Can life posses meaning? Are the seemingly mundane actions we push ourselves through everyday really the steps required toward achieving our life’s meaning?
I believe we as human beings demand a certain level of gratification for our lives. We need to believe that there is a purpose to everything; I believe it helps us cope with the day to day. Whether you believe you are on this planet to serve a greater purpose, or that God has placed you on this planet to serve his will we all need to feel that there is a reason for existence. The truth is that even if you don’t believe in the meaning of life, you do. Because not believing in a meaning is believing in something, no meaning. Like I said above, we are creatures of gratification . . . .nothing is worth doing if there isn’t a reason.
I also think in order to analyze the meaning of life you must consider death. Like I have said in class on more than on occasion, I truly believe there will come a point for everyone (some sooner than later) when, faced with the eminent conclusion of your own global insignificance, when you will sit and ponder the effect that your life has had. I really think that until you are really ready to sit and ponder that question, sit and evaluate your inner most soul that you will never even begin to realize the potential that your life, your existence, however insignificant, has impact on the world. Whether that impact is culminated into a personal meaning of life . . . . that is for you to decide. For most, I would presume, this instance of self reflection will not come until shortly before your death. When you sit back and try to rationalize your life.
If you were to sit back right now and try to reflect on your life, up to this point right now, would you be happy with were your life is? Do you feel that you have made an impact on this world?
6 Comments
Katelin,
You ask a hard question and I did not want to be the first to post. So here goes nothing. I would say that overall, I am happy with my life. I feel I am blessed because I have a wonderful family, 2 step children, a few close friends and a husband that is my best friend- what more could I ask for? Of course there are some things that I wish were different that are not within my control to change- I wish I had a child of my own, I wish I were taller, and well, that’s about it. As far as making an impact on the world, that I am not too sure. But, throughout my 15 year career as a critical care nurse I have had the privilege of caring for hundreds possibly even thousands of extremely sick individuals and their families. I have helped many live and many die peacefully. I have witnessed tragedy and miracles. I will always be amazed at what the human body can endure as well as what the human body should never endure. I certainly hope that over the course of my career that I have made as much of an impact on the lives of those that I have cared for as they have made on my life.
Right now I can’t say that I am unhappy. I generally happy but I am not fulfilled. I believe I can and will do more. I really haven’t figured out my purpose in life. I feel as if I am suppose to lead but I do not where, when, how. I believe I can do more to help others. It would not only give me a sense of purpose but some sort of inner peace. I do not feel that I have made a huge impact on the world. I believe I made somewhat of an impact. In the years to come I believe it should unfold. I hope it does. Looking back and up until now I believe I touched other people’s lives in a positive way.
I’m happy with where my life is currently, but I’m not content. I feel an important aspect of life is trying to become the best person you can be. This is a trial and error process with countless successes and failures leading to a continuous reinvention of oneself. My lack of contentment motivates me to establish new goals after accomplishing old ones, work hard in all aspects of life (relationships, academic, professional etc.), and understand the future holds more successes and failures.
Wow- what a difficult question. If I was to look at my life right now I would not say that I have made an impact thus far on the world- maybe a few individual people that we grow to be close with overtime, but not society as a whole. At this point as I sit and reflect on my life I am not sure I am happy with my life so far. Maybe because things are just very difficult personally at this time and it is hard to look past that or maybe because when I think of where my life has gone and where I thought I would be so far I am not there. What I do know is that I am headed in a direction that I believe will make me happy in the future. While personally the road I have traveled has been a bumpy one I know that with each bump in the road I only become stronger and a better person. In the end, I would never regret past experiences, but believe that all those experiences make us who we are and will eventually make us more content within our own lives.
Okay, I’m a man of few words, that doesn’t mean I’m deep, it just means that I have a limited vocabulary. At any rate, here goes. The really good thing about putting a couple of years behind you is the reflection it brings. I’m finding that some of life’s most endearing traits are the small things; some close friends and family. Just getting away for awhile. Some of the things that seemed so important, now seem….silly. Happy is a weird concept, I guess contentment is the key. I think most people can be content if they have the basics, food, shelter, love. Many times, it is the extraneous things that trip us up. As for being happy, right now I would say I am more in a transitional phase. Shortly, I expect a couple of things to take hold, which should yield the desired result. As for making an impact, I think people are too hard on themselves. I believe we all can make an impact, albeit a small one, in our own way. Helping someone who is down, an encouraging word, etc. It is when we look back, this is when we truly see what we have accomplished……
Great question! Funny how the hardest questions we find ourselves answering have to do with the person we think we know best – ourselves! I really think that there is a stark difference of your life in terms of happiness, fulfillment and contentment. Happiness to me is more of a state of mind than anything else. A homeless man, living on the street can find happiness in something as small os a half eater apple in the trash…while a business co-executive may find happiness in his $ 500k bonus he just received. Contentment on the other hand is based on the drive someone has. That same homeless man, who has eaten that half eaten apple, may be content with his situation. He’s happy, he’s living, he isn’t paying bills… he’s pretty content. While the business man may be content with his job as co-executive making millions. However, where one is driven to better themselves. (The homeless man, want to find a job. The co-executive now wants to be CEO) is where contentment lies. Fulfillment is more goal/morally related. You can set goals for yourself and reach those goals giving you a sense of fulfillment. But it comes in many forms… economically, spiritually, physically, etc. So to answer your question: Yes, I am happy. Yet, I am not content, nor will I ever be… and I find fulfillment in many things on a daily basis. As far as making an impact on the world… perhaps on a small scale I have. I would like to think I have made an impact on the lives of people around me, and in part is part of the world so the answer may be Yes.
Post a Comment