Life

T

Temet Nosce

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What exactly is it, to you, that makes life worth living?

This thread isn't supposed to promote pro-suicide or trigger depression, but rather it's a question that seems to come up and I was curious what the users on Iwaku thought contributed the most to a meaningful life. Please keep the discussion civil as it is not meant to be an inflammatory thread.

Personally, for me, it has always been my family. I'm not religious in the least bit, nor do I care particularly for higher morals in general. Death doesn't necessarily scare me either, as I imagine it's similar to the time before you were born. My family has always given me the drive I needed when I thought I lost everything that made life meaningful, and allowed me to pick myself up.
 
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The fact that I can always improve and make myself a better person than I was yesterday.

Family is important, but so is my well-being. ^^
 
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There is always something new to learn. Every day is an opportunity to pick up a new language, or to expand one's knowledge in the countless interesting subjects of academia, or to start to learn a new skill-- drawing, maybe, or a new musical instrument, or dancing, there's always another skill to pick up. And there are always new people to meet, each one of whom is a microcosm of their own unique thoughts, beliefs, and experiences, each one of which can enrich one's life in ways they might never have imagined-- each one of which one can learn from and perhaps impart to them their own knowledge, too. And there are always new places to visit and explore, places you may never have anticipated finding yourself in and which can leave impressions that are as meaningful as they are unexpected.

That's what makes life worth living for me. There's so much to do and see and learn; how can each day not be worth it to be alive in such a world?
 
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If I'm being honest, I never actually thought about what makes life worth living. I'm alive, therefore I continue to live, for better or for worse. The way I am or what I do, what I strive for, it has never really had anything to do with life being worth living, not really.

It could be my mind didn't process this question right lol.
 
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I've thought about this a lot lately. I could give any number of reasons similar to those above me for why I want to keep on living, and to a certain extent they would all be true, but none of them would feel like very honest answers. The most honest answer I think I could give is simply because I'd rather live through life's hardships than waste my one and only chance by ending it prematurely. Not to mention that a crippling fear of death really does wonders for your will to live.
 
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Because if I'm not alive, there are zero possibilities for me to be happy. I just cut it all off right here. If I keep going, then there's always the chance that I can change things or I can find my purpose.
More seriously: The purpose of life is to find purpose in life.

Jokingly:
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[to enjoy life]

edit:
This sounds way more depressing than I intended.
My life isn't miserable.
 
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When I think of the meaning of life I always think of the Laughing Buddha. It's a symbol of prosperity and wealth and happiness, but it also means "life is stupid so enjoy it while you have it". Once I embraced that idea, things got so much easier and less horrifying.
 
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Without going into details, I've decided I'm just here to write.

I have a certain story that needs to exist. Everything else is like a... preliminary I suppose, all to get to that point. It's a tough row to hoe (that is the saying, right?) given my poor skills and poorer motivation, but that's almost a good thing, maybe. The purpose'll last longer. That's the idea.

But.... I guess I wouldn't be opposed to some celestial entity, or science, rewiring my brain towards motivation (of any kind) towards just about anything else; since I understand my self-decided "purpose" is rather pathetic. But it's gotten me this far...!

Post-Edit: er, ah, writing is great fun though! Plenty of learning opportunities for freakish things that all get the "No, wait, I'm actually a writer" pass. Plus, on the road to betterment, it's a given you're going to meet people. So it's not all bad at all! Happiness and sparkles, yay!! \(* ^ w ^;)/
 
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Dogs. Dogs make me so damn happy.
 
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Hmmmm...never thought about it much tbh.

What makes it worth living for me? Well a number of things.

The fact that I'm in control of my own life, I have my own place. I can do anything, within reason, how or when I want to. The fact I can experience a fantastic book, movie, game or album. playing and creating music too, the mere fact I can do that with others helps make life worth living. The mere fact I can wake up next to my wife and that she's both my love of my life and one of the closest friends I've had in nearly 20 years. My friends, who've stuck with me and supported my ventures, heck even joined me on them, those pillocks! They've made it all worthwhile. My niece, for giving me some leeway as her current guardian, and being the best damn niece I can ask for. My family, through thick and thin, we've grown stronger together, and that, is all I can ask for.

All this, and possibly so much make life worth living for me, and I wouldn't ask anything less or more.
 
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For me, life is especially worth living because there's always something weird and wonderful out there waiting for me to discover it. Experiencing and understanding different walks of life is a thing for me. I feel that when I can see things from someone else's perspective, it makes me a little wiser and a little more at peace with the world.

But it's the principle of it all. Hobbies. Earthly possessions. Ideas and actions. These are things that make you happy. Life is worth living even for the most simple and straightforward of reasons. Doesn't have to be some big philosophical, deep thoughtful pursuit.

Pizza on a Friday night. 10/10 would keep living for that.
 
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The pleasures of life; good food, great friends, and fun stuff. Those things aren't always available to me, so whenever I get one of those I remember how beautiful life can be.

On the other side, successfully getting through the challenges in life. Life is a game; I don't need to be the highest scorer but I want to be able to look at the score and stand somewhat proudly of the way I played the game.

Even beyond life... I believe the spirits of those who've moved on from this existence are hanging around, watching me with curiosity. And I intend to make my grandparents, relatives, and even my dog proud of the guy sitting here who'd been shaped by them while they were here in this existence.
 
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