Are you really living....?

I am living my life the way I want. I try to keep it simple so that I have time to do voluntary work to improve the community where I live. To simplify my life even more I will be moving into a smaller place. My happioness comes from the things I accomplish and not from the things I possess. Why should I work for things? I'd rather do good for people. Happy mylotting!

I think in alot of ways I am not really living. I am trying though. I guess what I mean is that I could be doing alot more in my life to enjoy and have more of a life. Severe depression comes on without notice and takes you down to a dark place and you never know for how long. But you have to live as much as you can when you can. You have to take what you can from what you are given.

Rajib, I have had thoughts like this going through my mind lately. I am not a person that places a great deal of importance on material things; don't get me wrong I like nice things and 'stuff' as much as anyone but there are things I consider way more important. One of those things, for example, is the fact that I have chosen not to work outside the home and attempt to earn from my writing etc... So that I can do something I truly enjoy as well as be here for my daughter all the time. Because we live on my measly income and my husband's full time wage, as you can imagine there is not a lot left every pay day but I don't mind because the gift of my being able to write and be a mum is so very precious. My husband, on the other hand, feels upset at the lack of luxuries in our life and although he supports me in my work I can feel an unspoken, underlining resentment from him because surely if I had a job outside the home we would have a lot more money but my spirit would be stifled. My husband's feelings sadden me and I hope in time that he sees the real riches of life; they are already here, for me anyway; I am doing what I love and I am here with the love of my life, my child, I was on MyLot earlier and I offered advice to a friend who needed it and he was thankful, what more could I possibly want?

Yes maybe life would have been better for us should we'd been brave enough to face trials. It would maybe worthliving should others show concern, or oppurtunities equally given. If people make most of their time finding ways to survive rather than be contented sufferring for the little resources. If we down our selves with the doubts and fear of failures rather than being patient enough little by little until we get there.

Hi Rajib! Life is so fast paced that we dont even have time to think what we really want.We are in a rush to accumulate whatever materials we can to make life more luxourious.We dont even have time to listen to our own inner voice.Have just finished reading the book by Chetan Bhagat 'night @ call center'.We are just living like inanimate object following a routine and not having enough courage to dream (big) and putting our potentials to test.We dont have the time to listen to our inner voice and conscience.How many of us ever wondered what the purpose of life is?

Rajib- Yet another wonderful discussion starter. My husband just finished a book called Hardcore Zen, so I was the due listener, respecfully. I think that we do indeed have many "mini deaths" or even many samhadis where for just that present moment we are without the attachments to this life. Yet, after enlightenment it is still "chop wood and carry water". Even in Brad's book he speaks about how the entire merging with the Divine vision we may have whilst in "enlightenment" is merely an illusion. It is the here and now that matter. I think that when we stay in the "Now" as even Eckharte Tolle speaks about, not to mention so many spiritual leaders, we free ourselves from attachments, from worries, and live simplistically. Then we find that our days become full of this peace that we know all of the time. I do not believe we need to be aestethics, mind you, but we do need to learn to enjoy every present moment as it exists, and not focus on the past, or worry about the present. I love the lines from Kung Fu Panda when Oogway says "There is a saying: yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the "present." " It's a very old saying, but there is much to be found in it. As for Caesar's saying, I have yet another quote from the movie. "One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it". So, perhaps Caesar was not fully aware that sometimes when someone runs from what is his destiny, he inevitably meets it, thus not truly being a coward, but taking the long way around. Namaste-Anora

You put forward a good and meaningful topic. I'm always wondering that there are few people who really give a deep reflection on the meaning of living. Most of us are just indulged ourselves into the pursuit of material things, while neglecting the truth of life. To some degree, materialistic pursuit has become the main dominance in modern life, which is actually a sad phenomenon. Then, what should be the meaning of life? As for me, I think the true beauty of life lies in people's ability to enjoy the many simple pleasures happening around. It is from these trival pleasures that we penetrate into our spirit and understand what we are thinking about.

yes the true essence of life has been blurred by the business and the mote of other people to earn more and get a comfortable lives. and they lost the trust meaning of life. and they wander from day to day and they find no sense in their lives just because they have focused more on materialistic things. and those pursuit to get rich rob them of their time to focus on the real things that they are actually looking for. i think that many people really think that money does not buy happiness. but they think and it is a necessity. but they have been so busy that they don't notice that they worry about the necessities of lives too much that they have learned to live extravagantly and that they forgot the reason they wanted to earn in life is just to enjoy life but that they are not having any enjoyment any more. they worry a lot cause if they don't have money they wanted that they become victim of worries. and so i believe if people will just slow down and think what they really wanted to get in life that they will be able to enjoy life more.

I am living a happy life if something extra comes along it is a bonus.You are quite right about the materialistic aspect taking over.I am off the age where things are not that important to me like they used to be.Being happy and watching my family grow gives me a lot of pleasure,sure if I can have an extra holiday it is nice but not essential.

Hello my friend krajibg Ji, Sooner person gets satisfied, Living becomes blessful. WE all must desire within our limits. Time we go beyound our reach, we feel vewry bad as they are hardly met under the circumstances. For this, we have always to look down, so that we know, where is ditch coming and jump from there. Looking down should never be treated as 'Cowardness' All fruits bearing trees bow down due to weight. It is natural. So in fact, I am really living in Natural ways, as HE wants me to live. May God bless You and have a great time.

Hi Rajib..I am really living, until I die and even then I might come back to mylot, just like you did after your...*snickers*..untimely accident... I have a great respect for life after enduring some serious health issues. I do not expect a lot to make me happy. There are just some basics...Number one is good health, Number 2 is good family and friends, and number 3 is being able to travel...oops..how did that get in there!! I love the simple things in life like watching my garden grow and produce, spending the day swimming, and having all the family together for maybe a BBQ or something. Those are the things that make me happy. I dont want any diamond rings, big fancy house, or luxury car. They are no good without the others anyways. My one luxury is I do like to travel. I love to see and learn about other places. I do have some special friends in other countries overseas that I hope to someday be able to visit. Now I forgot, what was the original question???

Hello Rajib...How are you? Life is a puzzle to most people and it is hard to make sense of the enormous difference in the apparent quality of life that people around the world experience. For some people, the hardship and suffering endured by millions around the world is a sign that there is no Divine source of love in the world, but others see the world differently. Spirituality and simplicity of life left behind when we become materialistic. when we truly observe within ,we realise that the good,bad ugly...all exist within us and our job seems to be to embrace all aspects of ourselves, without cutting ourselves off..accepting in totality,as a whole.No places to reach,nothing to aspire ,just to be...just to experience this wonderful game called life and our due respective roles. I remember a quote of Mahatma Gandhi... You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

there is no standard or only answer for life, maybe ther is no answer. i think life is for nothing but for the this moment, now , for the time we are experience now. the moment at present is the most important. and we should start thinking about life, we should have clear eyes to see the inside of life though the materialistic world. we are living now

If so many people wouldn't delve themselves in their own materialism, maybe our spiritualism and simplicity in life wouldn't feel so drowned. Sometimes I wias everyone would open theri mind and crawl out of their holes, but that may not happen for a while, to say the least.

many times i feel like i am merely existing and not really living because of everyday responsibilites and obligations and stresses. i rarely have time for myself or to relax. we are strapped for money all the time so there is never any left to pursue fun and relaxing activities. i try to fit in relaxation on the weekends after doing all my chores and such that i cannot get to during the week but it is not enough. there are too many stresses placed on us in this society and even the kids in school feel it as young as kindergarten and i do not think it is necessary.

As far as Im concerned,the simplier life we live,the happier we are.I have another question related to yours,whats your aim of living?A saying goes that eat to live but not live to eat.Now I doubt the rationality of the saying.How can we live if we dont eat?Im not saying the aim of living is eating.Im speaking of enjoying life.Nothing is better than to live our life to the fullest.Life is full of bitterness as well as happiness.We should take them all.I can say Im living though its not the life I want now.