Life has become meaningless.
By ParaTed2k
@ParaTed2k (22940)
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
March 2, 2009 11:35am CST
Does being alive count for anything at all anymore?
That may seem like an easy "yes" question, but I don't think most people who answer "yes" really mean it.
Life itself has taken a back seat to what we consider important about life. However, life itself seems pretty meaningless to most. If you don't believe me, think about a few things.
When discussing living and dying issues, how many people use arguments based on the being alive? On the other hand, how many are based on quality of life, or what the arguer considers important in life.
It seems to me that quality of life has trumped life itself. I'm not saying quality of life doesn't meant anything, but it is the icing, not the cake. Family, friends, occupation, interests, hobbies, fun, love, and other things that enrich our lives have somehow become more important than life itself.
When did life become a byproduct instead of the greatest possession we could ever have?
2 responses
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
2 Mar 09
I dunno, Ted, you're probably right about a lot of people but I'm not exactly your average kind of gal. When I wake up in the morning and I'm still alive I'm pretty happy! 
In my husband's immediate family we lost two nephews, two years apart. Both deaths were accidental, both young men were in their early 30s, and I think experiencing life taken from you so quickly and so early has given all of us an appreciation of life. My husband's brother went through a radical laryngectomy several months ago due to throat cancer and the issue of quality of life vs losing your life was paramount in his decision to agree to the surgery.
I will admit though that I would rather not be a burden to my family if I became so ill that I needed life support and there was no hope for recovery...and my living will indicates such. It's not because the quality of my life is more important than my life itself but it's because I love my husband and my children too much to force them to watch me linger.
In my husband's immediate family we lost two nephews, two years apart. Both deaths were accidental, both young men were in their early 30s, and I think experiencing life taken from you so quickly and so early has given all of us an appreciation of life. My husband's brother went through a radical laryngectomy several months ago due to throat cancer and the issue of quality of life vs losing your life was paramount in his decision to agree to the surgery.
I will admit though that I would rather not be a burden to my family if I became so ill that I needed life support and there was no hope for recovery...and my living will indicates such. It's not because the quality of my life is more important than my life itself but it's because I love my husband and my children too much to force them to watch me linger.@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
2 Mar 09
I agree, but isn't it sad that love for someone has degenerated to being a "burdon". Don't feel defensive for how you feel, I feel the same way... I'm just saying its sad.
@SinfulSweet (146)
• Canada
2 Mar 09
I strongly agree with you in my opinion people have become much too focused on the material possessions that they have and are always always wanting more instead of being gratefull for the things that they do have and so often go forgotten or unnoticed. I have become much less materialistic in my life in order to realize and be gratefull for those things that I do have. Ok so my clothes may not be designer and I cut cupons at every chance and we may not have all the luxuries in the world but who cares when I have babies who love me, a place to live, and peace within myself to share with others!
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
2 Mar 09
Exactly, and if life gets to void of luxuries and creature comforts, it's no longer worth living.
