Reasons for living?

Question

Please not the usual 'my kids' or 'holidays' or 'writing my book when I retire' but seriously, what one event are you really looking forward to soo much that keeps you wanting to go through the humdrum and disappointments life has to throw at you and when that moments gone what are you planning on replacing it with?

Answer 1

there is no one event, but i do like seeing how i have influenced other people

Answer 2

There are lots of reasons to be happy that you are alive. Everyday holds some wonderful treasure. This morning as I was walking in the field, I looked down and there to my amazement was a litle group of purple violets looking up at me. Violets in October - a touch of spring for a gloomy fall day. Every week I look forwardto choir practice. This to me is a real blessing, to be able to sing with a wonderful group of people in my church. Every morning there is a new sunrise, and every evening a new sunset. Wonderful things to look forward to every single day. We live five minutes from the Hudson River - a wonderful place to go, sit and watch the boats and the seagulls riding the air currents. Across the river are the Catskill Mountains - always beautiful and comforting. Something we look forward to doing twice a week. Our first cup of coffee in the morning - a simple, yet most enjoyable act that we look forward to every morning. A trip we are planning next week - something we have been waiting for for a few months now. Then, we look forward to Thanksgiving, Christmas, a new year. So many wonderful events, nothing out of the ordinary yet extraordinary indeed. Gifts from a Higher Power. Looking forward to going to church on Sunday, a ride out in the country, oh, so many things. These make life worth while. Ballgames with my grandsons, the excitement of my granddaughter as she relates the events of her days in college. All these wonderful things that get me through the humdrum and disappointments of life. Little things but all wonderful spirit refreshing and uplifting. And most of all, the daily walk with God. So there you have it. I hope this is what you had in mind.

Answer 3

There is nothing that I need replacing as I have already arrived.

A dozen or so years ago I moved sidewards in my work. What I discovered was a fantastic pleasure. It is now like living a permanent hobby.

To add to the pleasure, people pay me lots of money for doing what I do.

So I live my life enjoying a hobby and am paid lots of money to do it.

Humdrum and disappointments do not exist. It is all change and excitement.

“when that moments gone what are you planning on replacing it with” Oh dear, the big problem is that one day I will be too old to carry on as I am.

Answer 4

I know this isn't the answer you were looking for, but I've really wanted to pass this along, and never found the right person to recommend it to. A book called, "Mans Search for Meaning" I forget the author, but the premise is unusual, so I'm certain you can find it if you are interested. It's written by a professor who is asking the exact same question you are. He does his study through survivors of those in concentration camps in nazi Germany. Basically he asks these people why. Why did they choose to live when the it was far easier to die. What gave them the drive to not want death and to perservere, in the worst conditions imaginable. Why not just run out and be shot? And end hunger, abuse, and well I can't even list the rest. But I really recommend it, I found it really interesting and its an inspiring idea. I really hope you read it.

Answer 5

As a mother of 4 grown children I enjoy their weddings and love their children. The whole purpose of the human race is to perpetuate itself and looking forward to seeing my grandchildren is enough reason to carry on. However, I do not find life "humdrum" it is so busy now that I am retired and life's "disappointments" are just challenges to be conquered. Future things to look forward to are the arrivals in due course of great grand children!!

Answer 6

Like several others, I can't name one event that does this for me.

I try not to spend my life "waiting to be happy." My mother was someone who was always "going to be happy when..." (...when her daughter [me] got married, ...when she lost weight, ...when she retired). In 1989, she took early retirement at age 62--and died exactly six weeks later.

That taught me to "bloom where I'm planted": that is, to try to enjoy each day--each *moment*--as much as possible, and not "wish my life away" by wishing for or looking forward to some future event.

I still set goals for myself and work toward them, and there's lots that I look forward to experiencing if I'm blessed enough to be alive when it comes about, but I work hard at enjoying the journey, the process, at least as much as I enjoy (or expect to enjoy) the destination.

Maybe it's the result of having been through periods where I felt very poor (even though by some standards I was rich beyond belief, since I had a roof over my head and food on the table), but very little is "humdrum" to me. Even washing the dishes can be a kind of meditation on how much I appreciate the fact that I had food to eat. I've found that there's usually a way to make just about any task, no matter how routine or supposedly menial, at least tolerable, and often interesting and fun as well. A big part of that for me is just paying attention to whatever it is I'm doing, and concentrating on doing it as well and as joyfully as I can.

Even the disappointments and "down times" (of which I've certainly had my share) usually have had something to teach me--and many have turned out to be blessings in disguise. For example, I was very ill for two years in my mid-20s. But by the time I was 30, I could trace much of what I cherished in life (including my career, several wonderful relationships and friendships, and a home I loved in a terrific community) either directly or indirectly to my struggles to come to terms with that illness. Would I cheerfully sign on for that much pain if I knew it would produce that much gain? I don't know that I'd have the strength of character to do that. Given that life rarely gives us that choice, though, I'm glad I went through it and wouldn't trade it for anyone else's life.

Answer 7

I actually look forward to meeting my friends at church.

Call me wierd if you must but it is always a pleasure to be amongst people who understand you and share an interest in music and praising God together. We always have a fellowship dinner after church, then we sit for a couple hours talking, hashing things over, playing more music just enjoying each others company.

Then, I reckon it would be the football season. It is the only sport I really enjoy watching.

When footballs season ends, I will turn more fully to my music. I took organ lessons and play my guitar so that gives me enjoyment.

I know you said no kids but I gotta toss in my GRANDchildren. That's why I gave the other stuff first. They are one of the main reasons I keep going on.

Most immediately it would be seeing my first grandchild graduate from high school. Only a few more years will do it.

Then it will be me graduating from tech school with a degree in business.
(even old dogs like me can learn new tricks)

Then, I look forward to the first wedding of my grandkids. I can't wait to dance at that wedding. (Hope my knees hold out)

Next will come our fiftieth wedding anniversary.

Then it will be the birth of my first great grandchild.

Then it will be the birth of my next great grandchild

Then it will be the birth of my next great grandchild

Then it will be the birth of my next great grandchild

Well, I know I'm counting chickens before they are hatched but hey, a guy can dream can't he?

I have three adorable, intelligent grandkids. If they each have just two kids I'll have six great grandkids! Seeing them grow up, watching them at Christmas and birthdays will be true reward to this old codger.

One of them wants to be a veterinarian, one wants to be a fireman, and the youngest just wants to play! Who knows what they might do in their life but no matter what it will be a real delight to watch them try.

And in the meantime I have my friends at church, my music, and my football. Wow, life is great!

UH, OH, "Survivor" comes on in just a few minutes, I better get my soda and chips ready......................

Answer 8

Finally passing med school and becoming a GP. Its gonna be many years (hopefully if I pass this year!!) before I get there, but its my life project at the moment. Hopefully a long, happy career and retirement should replace that (oh and eventally having a family :D)

What keeps me going in between that is my family and boyfriend (yeh, I know you said non of that, but its true :))

Answer 9

For myself...I'm always looking forward to tomorrow because I know---- it may not come. There are some days I feel so rapturous by the beauty of nature that I look froward to the next hour..to see how the cloud formations will change and the light in the sky illuminate ...knowing there can be a killer earthquake at any moment, I think has enabled me to savor moments. (I live in northern CALIFORNIA) I am aware that in essence no one is promised tomorrow, or a next minute. My reason for living to see what happens next!

Answer 10

Instead of thinking about what you could achieve for yourself, how about trying to help someone else? If you're alive, but can't work out why, distract yourself by freely giving help to others.

For example, join VSO, go to Africa, teach english to kids in a remote village. Forget about accummulating wealth, house car kids etc.Do that for at least 2 years and see how you feel.

Or, if thats too traumatic, do you have an elderly neighbour who could use some help? eg gardening, a regular lift to get them out, mend a fuse.

I thought about VSO a few years back and was considering going to India to help teach electronics or computing. They need techy stuff too! Unfortunatly I had a few months where my joints wouldnt work, so that knocked that idea on the head.

Answer 11

The English cricket season, and when that moment has gone, a beautiful Autumn, a family Christmas, and New Year, followed by another Spring and another cricket season. Travelling is always better than arriving, enjoy the journey.