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General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: JB73 on October 25, 2004, 02:07:43 AM

Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: JB73 on October 25, 2004, 02:07:43 AM
yeah i have been watching "Tin Cup"


anyway i came to realize why it is a "feel good" movie in many guys eyes.

we all i believe (from the oft quoted and terrible acronym gen X) are looking for that "one thing" in life.


we all want to be "Tin Cup". the greatest at 1 single thing whatever it is, and lead a unpopular, yet happy life purseuing that "thing"

who wouldnt give up anything to be the "greatest" at 1 pursuit, and lead a happy life, with no monetary rewards, but a feeling of self-worth in what we do?


oh well talking bull**** here, i just really said "what is it i want to be that good at, and will that get me any success in life"? the sad part of it is, success and happiness rarely go hand in hand.
Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: MrCoffee on October 25, 2004, 03:20:43 AM
JB, there are only two certain things in life. Life itself and death. Everything else is an uncertanty. Me, I just want to be reincarnated as a cup of coffee. Actaully I m just kidding you because you seem a bit unstable. Maybe you need some help, therapy?
Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: JB73 on October 25, 2004, 04:08:02 AM
I seem unstable?

ok.... i know im not the most well adjusted member of scociety, but hardly jeffery dalhmer-esque


sir, if you feel that way about me, i will try to purvey a more stable and upstanding member of scociety in the future here on the AH bulletin board.
Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: Chortle on October 25, 2004, 04:45:39 AM
You dont appear unstable to me JB73, not in this thread anyway ;)

It's a question of how you measure success IMO - if you measure it by others values/beliefs etc and not by your own than you may come a cropper eventually.
Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: SOB on October 25, 2004, 04:48:13 AM
Quote
Originally posted by JB73
ok.... i know im not the most well adjusted member of scociety, but hardly jeffery dalhmer-esque

What about that time you ate all those people and stored their body parts in your freezer?
Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: Eagler on October 25, 2004, 05:43:38 AM
The Razor's Edge, the original (1946), though Bill Murray in the remake(1984) is pretty good also
Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: deSelys on October 25, 2004, 07:11:20 AM
I've found that doing something a bit dangerous is a good confidence builder (+ it gives you a great 'Feels so good' moment afterwards). If you're able to win a little fight upon one fo your inner fears (vertigo, tight places...), it's even better.

I'm not talking about taking extreme or uncalculated risks but doing a risk involved activity while minimizing those risks by approaching it the most carefully and professionally possible (i.e. rockclimbing or cave exploring with the proper gear, advices and mentors, getting a skydiving licence...).

'Dangerous' is a variable notion: what is truely scary for me would be like having a cup of tea in the garden for some people while some others consider me like a reckless lunatic.

The activity should bring you some fun though (it's easier that way):  I have an average fear of heights and I can have great fun fastroping from a cliff or skydiving while I truely hate being stuck in tight places. Passing through narrow tunnels to explore a cave would certainly be an achievement for me while I doubt I would enjoy it one bit.

This article confirms in a certain way the attraction-repulsion man has with danger:
From this article (http://www.dailytidings.com/2004/0702/070204b1.shtml):

Quote
Ogilvie's findings are consistent with other studies. A 1994 paper followed juvenile criminal offenders enrolled in a dangerous cliff-climbing course. Graduates of the program reported higher self-confidence afterward, and recidivism dropped by 50 percent. Another study exposed single mothers on welfare who refused to enroll in college courses to a four-day program of risk-taking activities. Seventy-three percent of participants signed up for vocational education afterward.
Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: lazs2 on October 25, 2004, 07:58:11 AM
If it's dangerous some democrat will seek to ban it.

lazs
Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: Habu on October 25, 2004, 08:21:12 AM
You know some think life is like the seasons. You are born live and eventually die. This is as natural as the spring summer fall and winter.

If you want to find purpose for your life consider a farmer. He tills the soil in the spring, plants the seeds, tends the fields over the summer and finally harvests the crop in the fall.

The whole point of the exercise is the harvest. It is not the planting nor the tilling. If he does not harvest then the whole exercise has been pointless.

Some people want to spend their whole life in the spring or summer, persueing wealth or living as they did in their 20's.

If you believe in God there are scriptures that say there is a point to life and that is to prepare you for the afterlife.

If that is the case then you must look at what the after life is supposed to be. People tend to look at life as the thrilling and exciting experience and the after life as some kind of listliss existence where we all sit around on fluffy clouds and sturm harps. But that would be much less an existance than your mortal life.

But if it is the point to our existance then it like the harvest. You  have passed the tests and lived a good life and fought the good fight and have succeeded. It should be a time to reap the harvest of your existance.

If you do not believe in God then the point of life is just to put in time till you die. If that is the case then you might as well enjoy yourself as there is no reason to prepare for the future. Because the future is death. Just grab every oportunity to have sex and eat and play while you are young and healthy enough to do so. Because one day you will be old and unable to even control your bladder. And at that point you may regret not even having memories of good times to sustain you.
Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: lazs2 on October 25, 2004, 08:26:17 AM
which is why we shouldn't allow apartment dwelling penny loafer taxi riders to vote.  They wish to vote on quality of life yet they don't know what life is.

lazs
Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: FUNKED1 on October 25, 2004, 08:59:31 AM
Quote
Originally posted by SOB
What about that time you ate all those people and stored their body parts in your freezer?


You insensitive salamander.  He was hungry, OK?
Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: AcId on October 25, 2004, 09:23:08 AM
Hey JB73, I feel for ya and can relate. I have often wondered the same things and seem to come to the same conclusion each time. I'm good at my job and I know this not because I'm a conceited salamander but because thats what my peers as well as upper mgmt tell me. Is that enough? Not for me, yeah I may be successful in what I do and actually enjoy my work but it's not enough for me. It just enables me to be able to do some of the things in life that I want to do. When it comes down to it I want to be able to rate my life by how good of a friend I am to those who know me and to be able to do things for people less fortunate than I. Not for personal gratification or to stroke ones ego, but to at least be known as the guy thats willing to lend a hand instead of the pompous selfish tard that only cares about himself......

ugh, now I'm spewing.....in a nutshell, you don't necessarily need to find 1 thing thats make you happy and successful, rather live a life that you can look back on and be proud of. Thats my personal take anyway.
Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: AKS\/\/ulfe on October 25, 2004, 09:27:14 AM
One day I was curious about what would happen when I die.

Then I stopped getting high.

Now, all I do is sit around and sigh.
-SW
Title: Re: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: mosgood on October 25, 2004, 09:30:38 AM
Quote
Originally posted by JB73
we all want to be "Tin Cup". the greatest at 1 single thing whatever it is, and lead a unpopular, yet happy life purseuing that "thing"

who wouldnt give up anything to be the "greatest" at 1 pursuit, and lead a happy life, with no monetary rewards, but a feeling of self-worth in what we do?



I agree.  I also think it goes a little further than that.  At the core, our end result isn't "I want to be the best" or "I want to be rich" or "I want to be popular"...  at the core, it's "I want to be happy" and we tend to look at being rich or the best or the most popular as the road to happiness.  As the means to the ends (happiness).

I think that Happiness is really all we want, and everything we do in life, one way or another, is done in the attempt to attain it.
Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: Ripsnort on October 25, 2004, 09:44:21 AM
You might enjoy this JB73,

Long, PDF version here (http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/Papers/Maslow.pdf)

Short version here (http://www.netmba.com/mgmt/ob/motivation/maslow/)
Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: AKIron on October 25, 2004, 10:18:14 AM
The unexamined life is not worth living.
-Socrates


Never stop searching.
Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: Sandman on October 25, 2004, 09:26:36 PM
Quote
Originally posted by AKIron
The unexamined life is not worth living.
-Socrates


Never stop searching.


Yeah... but don't forget to pay your bills along the way. ;)
Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: Saurdaukar on October 26, 2004, 12:31:25 AM
Why not look up Tyler Durden?  He could probably help you.
Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: Nash on October 26, 2004, 12:34:42 AM
Quote
Originally posted by AKIron
The unexamined life is not worth living.
-Socrates


Never stop searching.


One of my all time favs.

Why is it that I find it so completely odd to see you posting it? Something's off...
Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: TweetyBird on October 26, 2004, 12:42:05 AM
>>Some people want to spend their whole life in the spring or summer, persueing wealth or living as they did in their 20's.
<<

Then you hit 45 and say, damn this hurts - hell everything hurts.

Seriously, that was a very good post, Habu, and exactly how I view life. Death is a process, and its called life.

Edit:

Here's a passage from "The Prophet" by Kahil Gibran. I remember first reading this when I was sixteen or seventeen. Hopefully, its doesn't seem morose, as actually it more about life than death...

THEN Almitra spoke, saying, We would ask now of Death.

And he said:

You would know the secret of death.

But how shall you find it unless you seek
it in the heart of life?

The owl whose night-bound eyes are
blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery
of light.

If you would indeed behold the spirit of
death, open your heart wide unto the body
of life.

For life and death are one, even as the
river and the sea are one.
In the depth of your hopes and desires
lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;

And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow
your heart dreams of spring.

Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden
the gate to eternity.

Your fear of death is but the trembling
of the shepherd when he stands before the
king whose hand is to be laid upon him in
honour.

Is the sheered not joyful beneath his
trembling, that he shall wear the mark of
the king?

Yet is he not more mindful of his trem-
bling?

For what is it to die but to stand naked
in the wind and to melt into the sun?

And what is to cease breathing, but to
free the breath from its restless tides, that
it may rise and expand and seek God unen-
cumbered?

Only when you drink from the river of
silence shall you indeed sing.

And when you have reached the moun-
tain top, then you shall begin to climb.

And when the earth shall claim your
limbs, then shall you truly dance.
Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: Nash on October 26, 2004, 01:05:29 AM
Quote
Originally posted by TweetyBird
[BHere's a passage from "The Prophet" by Kahil Gibran. [/B]


Another one of my favs...

Less suprising to see you quote it.

I know I'm being peanut gallery guy here... I just haven't been able to put my thoughts into words yet.

Good thread.
Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: TweetyBird on October 26, 2004, 01:15:44 AM
It is a wonderful little book. When I was in high school it was required reading in most English/lit classes. The thing is, when you're 16-17 you don't get most of it. Then 30 years later it all makes sense. I think they do that on purpose :D
Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: Nash on October 26, 2004, 01:17:21 AM
Quote
Originally posted by TweetyBird
When I was in high school it was required reading in most English/lit classes.


When was that?
Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: TweetyBird on October 26, 2004, 01:20:27 AM
About 30 years ago :D
Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: Nash on October 26, 2004, 01:25:28 AM
Thas cool.

Grade 11 English (late 80s?), we had to read a [sp] Harlequin Romance book in class. I guess the idea was to be able to pick it apart. Yay. I tried to sneak in Camus but got busted.

Who knows what the kids have to do these days.
Title: Inner Demons, Human Frality, and a search for life's purpose
Post by: moot on October 26, 2004, 03:20:30 AM
Satisfaction is the gspot.  You just need to find it.
Difficulty is symptom of incorrect method, elaborate or not.
Life is a void and your brain fills it, don't leave it sagging.