Re: What do you guys live for?
Reply #143 - March 10, 2012, 07:20 PM
It sounds cliche, idealistic, and kind of Sci-Fi, but I live for science and the thought of watching and partaking in the advancement of the human race. It's kind of filled the emotional hole leaving religion left me with. It's kind of like a religion as well- I have faith that humanity can change for the better, and that we can reach amazing new heights (that aren't primarily fueled by greed/want of power). Except this religion does have some evidence for its claims.
I live so that I may one day be able to learn more about our origins and how we got to this point- did you know we were once part of the stars? To someone who has lived most of her life with an extremely limited exposure to science, the thought is bizarre and awe-inspiring. I want to be able to learn more about things like that.
I live so that I can, in my own small part, help create the world I desire to one day exist. I want sexism in all spheres to be eradicated- even in the West it still persists; I hate the small ways many men objectify and try to put down women. It's mostly verbal, but it still makes one feel "less-than." I want unfounded hatred of or aggression towards groups of people who cannot change their identity (whether it be gender, race, sexual orientation, etc.) to be immediately attacked (logically) when spewed. Same with belief systems (or systems in general.) If people start spouting misinformed information about something, whether it be falsehoods about Islam, Christianity, socialism, capitalism, whatever, I want them to be corrected. Truth should be valued above group cohesion, fitting in, or what feels emotionally comforting. I live so that I learn to gain the strength to do more than I currently am comfortable with doing in regards to that. Up the conflict tolerance, if you will.
I live to be a part of the world. I can understand how depression saps out that desire, because its an illness I have battled for almost half of my life. But, I think we need to give ourselves licence to dream about how the world could be, then work towards creating that, rather than being super-logical and realistic all the time, which is how I often am (and which, subsequently, has deepened my depression.)
If you haven't read it, I suggest reading "Veronika decides to die" by Paulo Coelho. It's a good book for people with depression, or who are of the opinion life isn't worth living. Coelho can be a bit fluffy at times, but he's realistic in regards to human thought processes, at least in my experience.
Topic: What do you guys live for?