Are you sure the goals or wants that you seek are yours. Aren't they really set by family,society and media?

Question

If these are 'yours' they please enlighten us how it is so ?

If they 'are not' then why in the heck are you doing what you are ?

If it is a 'don't know' or 'too confusing' a question, then is it not the most important question you should seek the answer of than all the trivia on this site.

Answer 1

To some extent everyone's goals and desires are set by family, society, and media. To some extent they are unique to each individual. My sister and I, raised in the same environment, have developed very different sets of goals. What matters, then, is whether or not achieving your goals will make you happy. If so, then it doesn't matter who influences them because it works for you. If not, then you need to reasess your priorities. My own goals are kind of mixed. Lose five pounds. I'm not overweight, I don't really need to lose weight, I don't enjoy constantly thinking about my weight. I'd say that's a goal that's mostly set by my environment. Get good grades in school. This is less clear. I'm a naturally good student and I have high standards for myself. I also feel sometimes that my family has created additional pressure for me to achieve this goal. Thus in part it's mine and in part it's other people's. Become a teacher, teach foreign language to kids, marry one day, have kids of my own. These are my goals. Whether or not society is pressing them on me, I really want them and it is for my own happiness that I strive to achieve them.

Answer 2

When you are no longer able to do anymore than go from the bed to your computer to the bed to your recliner. Read your Bible, scribble a short note, or ask a family member to read the scripture to you, then you find out real quick what matters most in life and you learn that the goals you have set before you are self-focused. It was at that point that God put me to writing poetry, which I've never cared for and so I ask him why me? Because I'm not going to question what he would have me write - I'm content to be his secretary when he allows me the inspiration to be up and feel like doing HIS work. As I've surrendered more and more to him, then he opened up Y&A - which has been an excellent opportunity to witness through - where else would I be able to share what God is in my life, who Jesus should be in everyone's life, and rejoice in the Lord as I am physically able to do so and never get out of my jams? Praise God - when surrendered to his way - he makes a way - and life is truly joyful.

Answer 3

Different winds come from all directions. Some are clear, some carry dust, some are cold or hot, fierce gales or gentle breezes. In the same way sensations arise in the body--pleasant or unpleasant or neutral. When a meditator sees sensations as he does the winds, coming and going, clear or dust laden, fierce or gentle, he will fully understand them and be free from dependence on them. When he understands sensations perfectly, he will see beyond this conditioned world.

-Samyutta Nikaya