What gives your life meaning?

Losing a child would be the worst.

@CarolDM Do you know this song? It's an e.e. cummings poem set to music by Michael Hedges.

@TheHorse Yep I believe it is the worst.

@TheHorse Can you talk a bit of how God can be a part of the Human Spirit?

@1hopefulman Well, I think humans are unique in trying to find meaning in life (beyond survival). And we're (perhaps) unique in asking questions about right and wrong. In a sense, only humans can "know" (or at least seek) God. And yet God oversees everything (including newts, rocks, and hangnails). And by definition, God is omniscient and omnipresent. The images we have for God and his human servants (I'm thinking of Moses, John, Jesus, etc.) are creations of humans. And the stories we read about God and His followers, are creations of humans as well. So perhaps what we know of God is limited to creations by man, trying to represent something that is far bigger than we can comprehend. And those who try to do good, whether it be in the name of Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, or common sense (humans are social being and need each other) may have simply found the "best" part of the human spirit.

I'm still trying to figure out whether God is separate from us, or simply a part of the Human Spirit.

That sounds like a good and true story. I've had relationships go South. When they first did so, I was both depresed and angry. But I now can see how I could have done things differently. And I feel compassion both for the others (excusing those in my freezer) and myself.

Like-minded is an interesting concept. You and I are not like-minded in all areas. But we get along well. There must be some areas in which we're like-minded (and I don't mean enjoying football and pretending to be rivals).

@MALUSE I just did! Buwaahaahaa! But I thought you might have some insight. It's a compliment. I consider you a brainy bird.

I think that's my attitude toward organized religion as well. Each individual's faith is work in progress, as well as society's.

@TheHorse I like to air my views on beliefs and politics, but they are avoided by most here. Maybe, this site is not meant for such discussions, I can understand Religion and politics bring out more of emotional responses as they are based on our perception than hard proof; both are, sadly. usurped by few for their selfish ends. Hypocrisy and charlatans abound. Religion should unite people but it has not sadly. More people (innocents) get killed by fanatic adherents all through history. Obviously, love and compassion are in the back burner - it is more of mine is greater than yours. The fact is there is only one creation, creator. It is like water but it has hundreds of names in different languages. How you pronounce it differs from how I do even! I like to understand different views and experiences without judging others. Our experiences and cultural backgrounds are different and they leave their mark. I like to delve deeper based on personal experiences. I agree we need something to hold on to beyond this life which is temporary. Nothing can be taken away from here. We are not the physical body but if it is all there in our lives, then our beliefs are wrong. But do we have hard proof? My inner voice tells me there is more - siva

Carpe Diem.

I think basic kindness spreads. That's karma to me. Eventually it circles back.

@Acefun Me as well.

@TheHorse Agreed so I would prefer to be a good person.

@TheHorse It's actually not a goal, it's a lifestyle. =)

Helping others is a wirthwhile goal.

@TheHorse I do not complain.

@LadyDuck I do take note when people drive angrily, or blame others for their misfortunes, or are just mean to others. But I try not to let it get to me.

I enjoy mine...for the most part.

Mother nature is a good friend of mine.

It is. Notice that we're growing corn in the foreground! I'm glad you and your hubby were able to work things out.

Downs kids tend to see the world through the lens of love and hugs. But their hearts (literal hearts) are at risk.

@noni1959 Good for him!

@TheHorse Some are born with many health issues. So far we are blessed with his heart checking out good, he has good eye sight and good hearing. He does get gerd, sleep issues, and sensory issues. He's a head of schedule than expected at 14 months.

Where does that purpose come from? Does G-d whisper it in our ear? Do we discover it somewhere along the way, like a burning bush? Or do we create it, based on what we're passionate about?

@Hannihar I feel the presence of G-d the most when I am working with kids from disadvantaged backgrounds. When I teach college, I THINK I am "doing the right thing." When I work with a troubled young kid, and teach them something positive, I KNOW I am doing the right thing.

@TheHorse I know that our G-d is with us all the time but does not give us answers all the time. I just know and have experienced how he has helped me before.

I hope you can overcome them. It's nice to remember that everyone has them.

@jvicentevalera Merry Christmas to you as well!

@TheHorse Thank you, I will do it eventually. Take care! Merry Christmas!

Does it tie in with any particular religious faith? My parents live inside me. I carry on what they taught me.

@TheHorse yes, what is certain is that religious differences are very different in their beliefs

@KOLAMsegaran1 Doesn't matter much if you have a loving heart.

Yeppers. I lost a lot of people early. But I didn't really think of giving up. I vowed to carry on ther memories in what I do. Losing a child would be the most difficult, I think. I had one of my client kids murdered (after she had left our program). It made me feel numb for a long time. I just passed this poem/song on to CarolDM. It's an e.e. cummings poem. I listen to it periodically.

@Shiva49 What makes us that way?

@Shiva49 Maybe it's in looking for meaning that we lose our sight of it. Most life gets meaning from its just living it. An ant is busy in its work. A bee makes honey for its queen. They are all meaningfully fulfilling their lives. When we, because of our greater supposed consciousness, look for greater meaning, outside of our own moment of now, we fall over the step of now then, and risk getting stepped over by God then too..LOL... Meaning is mixed in with purpose, and we find them both in our hearts, never in our minds. The search though, has occupied many minds, and gives us a certain hurtful pleasure at times too, as we continue to search for our purpose with our minds in the manure pits of the world, and so we keep piling up our share, rather than letting go of it, and digging it back into the soil, and so only then will our own fruit tree of purpose really then grow and bear fruit, or meaning for us then too. Our own fruit, our own real meaning, our own real purpose. The fruit of knowledge that we grow from our purpose is the only thing that can give us any real meaning.

@innertalks We occupy a minuscule dot in the universe. There should be a meaning for the vast space that seems to be vacant, wasted real estate! We hardly know much but we can coexist taking a cue from nature, other species. But it looks we are too hypocritical, egoist, selfish, to find meaning in such! siva

Is there something we can do to help?

Which? Finding meaning? Or existential crisis?

@Swayamsiddha Yes, I think it varies widely person to person.

@TheHorse finding meaning

What do you most want?