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Live for the sake of living. We are programmed to beleive that we need to be successful, and serve the higher humanity, by prostrating ourselves to their ideals...
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Climbing Mazlow's hierarchy on this one.
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Climbing Mazlow's hierarchy on this one.
"Living for the sake of living" used to be called "fight for survival", the all-encompassing "cause" that demanded the full occupation of man. My, don't we have so much more time on our hands today ! By simply "living" you're pretty much already subscribing to the original, default human "cause", so I'm not sure it's possible to live "without a cause". On the other hand, our "causes" today usually are just elaborations on "survival", of the species, of populations, of culture, of progress, of our humanity and morality, so how different is living for these fundamentally from living for the "default cause" of survival ?
In thinking of a "cause" this way, the author's question comes down to level of participation. Just skate by in life, or work toward something more ? In human culture, the former choice is usually not considered an honorable one. There's an attitude that people, for their "taking up space" in the human world, for filling a seat at the table, ought to "pull their weight", "earn their keep". The human species is driven, perhaps by its talent for adaptation, to value progress, which is always generated by individuals bent on achievement beyond the bare minimum to exist. In terms of progress there's an opportunity cost to humanity for a skating person, when that seat could be taken by a person who makes a contribution.
We can't all be monks, though. Many things influence and determine that level of participation, so it would be inappropriate to entreat a "should" in this question.
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Both. I have had really hard times in my past during which I was living just for the sake of living - just getting through the day and existing was plenty. And at that time, pinning goals, causes, and expectations on myself can would have been too much. But, in my opinion, we all have a purpose and we will all develop goals and causes naturally and strive towards them.
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Both. I have had really hard times in my past during which I was living just for the sake of living - just getting through the day and existing was plenty. And at that time, pinning goals, causes, and expectations on myself can would have been too much. But, in my opinion, we all have a purpose and we will all develop goals and causes naturally and strive towards them.
As far as what to live for? It varies from person to person. I think that's what you are trying to say is, "Do goals help us weather hard times in our lives"? (At least that's how I perceived your question, my apologies if I am wrong) I guess during painful times keeping sight of the bigger picture can be very helpful - however you define the bigger picture for your own self.
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Be flexible. Interests change, priorities change, goals change. This is especially true the younger you are.
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Be flexible. Interests change, priorities change, goals change. This is especially true the younger you are.
A quote springs to mind - "Obligation is the mother of deformity." In a constantly changing universe, why hold on to outdated beliefs & old ways of thinking? Sure, it may feel safer to do things you're comfortable doing, but how much are you really growing & evolving?
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People without a cause, die. Perhaps not all at once. They may go on to shuffle around for many years after they are dead inside, having given over to a life of quiet desperation yet fearful of what may lie beyond.
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People without a cause, die. Perhaps not all at once. They may go on to shuffle around for many years after they are dead inside, having given over to a life of quiet desperation yet fearful of what may lie beyond.
Just for the sake of living?! Have you heard the expression, "Afraid to die, but too scared to truly live"?
A goal can be as grand as leaving your mark so much on History that your name becomes a household word. Or as callow and selfish as accumulating wealth or toys. Or it can be as down-to-earth as fully embracing the flow of life and seeking wisdom about the greatest mysteries of the universe in each moment that comes to you.
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Everyone has something to live for. Whether is doing drugs, their families, having fun, making money, etc. I am a believer that people who have absolutely nothing to live for are those who end up buried six feet underground by their own hands. Life has its ups and downs and when things get hard people look at their goal and then thry have a reason to keep striving for life.
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i live to serve God, and i can honestly say that in the past year I have
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i live to serve God, and i can honestly say that in the past year I have
not been doing that and I am learning my lesson and going through hardships. But I know that in my hardships I am just getting sttronger and will be able to serve Him even more when it's all back to normal :)
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I rarely see a need for "should's" or "shouldn't's," and I believe people are doing the best they can whatever the case.
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I rarely see a need for "should's" or "shouldn't's," and I believe people are doing the best they can whatever the case.
I think people would feel more fulfilled and joyful if they were invested in a cause or something like that.
I wouldn't say it'd make them enjoy their hardships, but give them hope through hardships, and in some cases, depending on philosophy, give reason to be grateful for hardships.
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I think "ppl' should live for whatever reason they choose. and I don't know any "ppl" who enjoy the hardships of thier lives.
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I think "ppl' should live for whatever reason they choose. and I don't know any "ppl" who enjoy the hardships of thier lives.
sometimes the "goal" is just to get up in the morning...and find a "goal". make a plan.
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The things that are important to you -- whether that is your own family or starving children in Africa -- will be implied in your actions. If there is any goal, it is to express yourself, honestly. If someone wants to string together your actions into some collective "goal", so be it.
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Enjoy the hardships of my life? Not sure how that's possible without alcohol but I have a goal, I have a purpose, and I do think they make my life richer. Although the simplicity of not having them has its appeal when I see a friend with more free time to do the things I never have time to do (read, live theater, travel more extensively).
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Better to live for a cause then die for one.
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Better to live for a cause then die for one.
Yes a cause can give you purpose, anything from work, family, or some other abstract notion. If it gives you joy, it is all part of life sake. Is it necessary to live? No. Life for it's own sake... is.
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Both...a cause that uplifts oneself and others..that does not set us against others and live for the sake of living...life can be a continuous celebration .
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Both...a cause that uplifts oneself and others..that does not set us against others and live for the sake of living...life can be a continuous celebration .
A cause is an abstract notion while living is not .
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