What Do You Want From Life?
By Shiva
@Shiva49 (26686)
Singapore
June 24, 2021 9:11am CST
At times we hit roadblocks in our lives. We feel lost often and wonder what life is about. Then again, we have only this life that we know about.
We have to take responsibility for our actions and live with them. Some decisions can be life changing; that means we cannot retrace our steps. The consequences are then lifelong.
I do wonder at times how else our lives can be. We have no control about the length of our term here but I think that is more than enough – the normal lifespan given to us. Some are trying to stretch it but that cuts both ways. No point in just existing without finding real meaning.
That brings me to ask what else we want from life so that additional years can be meaningful. After thinking a lot, I come to a conclusion the time we have is best suited to our temperament and lifestyle. Any further years can add value only if we can get more fulfillment through wise pursuits than what we can come up with.
According to me, we have enough time to leave a mark as we coarse through almost six generations - grandparents, parents, ours, children and grandchildren. Some see a couple more - great grandparents and great grandchildren.
Appreciate your thoughts on how else we can add value to our lives.
Image: Life from free image site Pexels
15 people like this
15 responses
@RebeccasFarm (89873)
• Arvada, Colorado
24 Jun 21
How I try to add value is to do what is right as much as I possibly can. Even if others at first would be aghast.
4 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (46968)
• India
24 Jun 21
@RebeccasFarm
Often truthful decisions are tough to go through. Yet one can be tough and manage the times of ups and downs.
3 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (89873)
• Arvada, Colorado
24 Jun 21
@Shiva49 Yes it is the best this way Shiva. Then your mind is clear.
3 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (46968)
• India
24 Jun 21
@Shiva49
Long life but with no dependency on others at least for basic health.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (46968)
• India
26 Jun 21
@Shiva49
Yes tough adjustments in life but at times we have no option but to adapt.
Yet focusing on good health always pays.
3 people like this
@vandana7 (100302)
• India
25 Jun 21
I think what we value or want differs from time to time. So we confuse god ...by the time he is ready to give us what we asked for, we have the next list ready. Or may be I am unique in that. LOL
Right at this moment, I want a healthy and happy life.
3 people like this
@Shiva49 (26686)
• Singapore
25 Jun 21
I heard Dalai Lama talking about prayers and seeking God's help.
He said if the problems are not created by us, God will help but all the issues are from us, then why should God help us?
We should not seek help to solve problems we can solve ourselves.
The umbilical cord is cut at birth and we should stand on our own feet, take independent decisions and stand by them. We should give time to God to attend to more important matters!
2 people like this
@cabuyogty (3023)
• Philippines
24 Jun 21
I want to be feel relaxed , calm , happy and contented :)
3 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (46968)
• India
24 Jun 21
Over the years, I have seen that the simpler we keep the things, the better is our life.
I was a bit guilty of making my life more complex over the years. The rectification is on but that does takes away some fun from the life.
Another value add is our own health plus guiding other people on things like Career planning, dealing complexities in the office etc.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26686)
• Singapore
25 Jun 21
I had an overall plan when I started my career. I was more into work to live than live to work. Our wants can be elastic but needs are limited. A once in a way holiday is more enjoyed than frequent ones like enjoying limited intake of food than gorging!
Then again our life span. I like to have more life in my years than years in my life! Laboring on for years and years does not suit my mental makeup though it is not in my hands.
I have found too people change a lot when years take their toll on them. Yes, grumpy old man is no joke!
I look out for any opportunity to be of help to others without borders and that gives more meaning and fulfillment to my life. And slowly distance myself from this world so that parting is swift.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (46968)
• India
26 Jun 21
@Shiva49
In a way I too am a bit detached from most but do keep on checking basic news.
A bit introverted and isolated basically but that suits me the best.
2 people like this
@prashu228 (37524)
• India
24 Jun 21
Simple happy and successful life. And this success and happiness differs from person to person.
3 people like this
@Shiva49 (26686)
• Singapore
26 Jun 21
I made short term plans regarding my working career and then opportunities opened up.
I was never without a job - the only time without pay was two months.
You have more opportunities now than I had fifty years ago.
When you are committed, you are always noticed but you have to take the basic steps and make up your mind what you want to do.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (46968)
• India
26 Jun 21
@Shiva49
Yes we have been without a Maid since March 2020 and now I clean more utensils than before, and now I clean fans more regularly.
There are challenges but we learn a lot as well.
In fact, I feel that I clean the fans better than when I used to get it cleaned from another person.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26686)
• Singapore
25 Jun 21
Yes, the dignity of labor is lacking in our society.
Maybe, the virus has taught us to clean up after ourselves and eschew the servant culture.
Now many have learned the hard way.
Having lived in a few countries, I believe we should be comfortable wherever we are and not act like a fish out of the water if uprooted from a comfort zone.
2 people like this
@innertalks (21919)
• Australia
24 Jun 21
I have never been interested in adding value to my life.
I more want to find the value that I think is there all ready, that I was born with, as God-given talents, and just learn more to live from these.
The search for value, often is also linked to greed, and wanting stuff.
I would prefer to just be myself, and let the value sit as itself, and be valued for what it is, rather than me being seen as invaluable now, and needing to add extra value, before I can be accepted.
I see that my life is not just about me, adding value is not about adding value to me, as I already have value, but more about my sharing my value with others, rather than hiding it, and so the collective value of the world increases in its intrinsic worth then too.
We should not fear old age, and allowing others to care for us then.
This is part of their service, to the world, and if we take this away from them, how are they to fulfil their lives, and give themselves to others in this way.
We are helping others to live from themselves more valuably, when we allow them to care for us in our old age too.
@innertalks (21919)
• Australia
25 Jun 21
@Shiva49 There is a guy here who appeared on our news yesterday, who was awarded with a certificate, as he racked up his 800th blood donation, over more than a fifty year period, enough blood to float any boat, I would say too.
We all volunteer something to life in our own ways.
@Shiva49 (26686)
• Singapore
25 Jun 21
@innertalks I agree 
.
At times the one thing we do will carry us far. That brings to mind another quote:
“There is a tide in the affairs of men / Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune."
Maybe, I might have balked at some opportunities that came my way.
.
At times the one thing we do will carry us far. That brings to mind another quote:
“There is a tide in the affairs of men / Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune."
Maybe, I might have balked at some opportunities that came my way.1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26686)
• Singapore
25 Jun 21
Your concluding part makes me recall a Gandhi quote:
“A customer is the most important visitor on our premises. He is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him. He is not an interruption of our work. He is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider of our business. He is part of it. We are not doing him a favour by serving him. He is doing us a favour by giving us the opportunity to do so.”
Likewise we should also give an opportunity to the next generation to bring into play the full circle of life rather than making it "easy" for them.
Yes, we need to wake up our dormant talents that lie interred in us otherwise. Maybe, what we use of our talents is minuscule to what we have. I don't really look out to volunteer to help but rise to the occasion and make sure I don't miss any opportunity.
At the end of the day each is unique and whatever floats our boats but taking care not to sink others in the bargain!
2 people like this
