I recently heard a quote that goes like this: " I think there comes a time in a man's life where he has to ask himself whether he wants a life of happiness or a life of meaning. You can't have both because those are two very different paths. To be truly happy, a man must live absolutely in the present, and with no thought of what's gone before, and no thought of what lies ahead. But…a life of meaning, a man is condemned to wallow in the past, and obsess about the future."
What do you think? Talk amongst yourselves!
2007-03-13 05:25:19 · 12 answers · asked by notahappyguy 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Life – it has a meaning and loving purpose - you just have to find your purpose and live it.
I believe every person is here for a definite purpose. Each person is special and valuable; that refers to me, you, your family, friends, in fact everybody! There is a loving plan for each of our lives here on earth and there is no such thing as coincidence. I don't believe that anything in life happens by chance and that every aspect of our lives points to something deeper.
You need to decide now to live for God rather than for yourself. You spend your life on Earth preparing yourself (as best you can) for death. I don't see death as a scary, negative experience, but birth into a bliss filled eternal life with God. I believe that this is something you have to consciously choose or not during your life on earth.
The meaning of life is for us to discover that we are true children of an infinitely loving God, to find out what our responsibilities are to our Creator, and to fulfill those responsibilities. Each of us is called to affirm, accept and develop the talents God has given us.
2007-03-13 06:38:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
The comment seems to come from a person who prefers to perceive the moments of a life to be disconnected from each other, believes that life is meaningless and that the cup is half empty. This kind of perception is not good because it leads to a life that is driven by immediate desires with the rationalisation that 'there is no day but today. it's all I've got. so i'd better enjoy it while it lasts." For a person with that attitude, there is no past, no tomorrow, only the now.
This is the same notion of those who experience stark contrasts in their work life and play life, prefer to live a happy-go-lucky life than spend some serious contemplation about the past and plan for the future in order to make lofty dreams realities that can be experienced.
Those who make a life for themselves are the real dreamers, the people who dared to live their life to the fullest. They include those seemingly ordinary people who have worked hard, got married, put their kids through college. They have worked hard, dreaming of a better future for their children.
Philosophy, according to Josef Pieper, allows us to transcend this 'work-a-day' world and allows for one to wonder, challenges one to hope and provides the inspiration to search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.
To say that life is meaningless is easy. It's what's on the surface. But deep within it, therein lies the meaning of life, calling us to come inside and experience it. Those who say that life is meaningless are the same kind of people who say that there is no God, that even if there was one, that he is dead, that he has forsaken man or that he is not good nor does not care for man. It is true that life is a mystery but because I have hope, I believe in the reality of the unveiling, the revelation.
Truth shall be found by those who seek it, salvation be given to those who yearn for it, light to those in the dark and revelation where there is mystery. That's why I have hope in my life. Otherwise, I would really be 'wallowing in the past and obsessing about the future'.
This is different from saying that "I am content. I do not want more in my life." In fact, I am ever hopeful for more. But I shall be happy like a child when confronted with the more, not like the adult who does not fail to compute for the return-on-investment and whether something is 'productive' or not.
2007-03-13 14:42:18 · answer #2 · answered by Hobbes 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Socrates said that "the unexamined life is not worth living".
Not only do I disagree with whomever said that you cannot have meaning in a happy life, but I would say that you can't have happiness in life without meaning. For humans (who are highly intelligent and self-aware), part of happiness is the reflective recognition of the fact that we are happy and have goodness in our lives. Without examining our lives, our environments, the people around us, and both reflecting on the past and thinking about the future, we would not be able to recognize the extent of our happiness.
Also, the very act of reflecting on the past, enjoying the present, and considering the future is rewarding and fulfilling in itself. That's why we're all here talking about this right now instead of doing something else!
2007-03-13 13:59:35 · answer #3 · answered by IQ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is not true.
Meaning doesn't mean wallowing in anything. A person can have meaning in the ministry he is doing, in his life's goals, in giving of himself. There is meaning in everything one does.
Being happy does not mean forgetting or denying. That is not happiness, not truly. But happiness is per moment. Fleeting. Something bubbles up in your chest and you feel good. I don't like to use the word happiness.
Joy. If you have joy, you're really good. True joy, contentment, peace is when you are secure in the truths of the God of the Universe and what He's done that no matter what occurs in this fleeting life, your future is secure and you are loved and you know it.
2007-03-13 12:46:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why not both?
Happiness does not mean abandoning your past completely, and a life of meaning does not mean wallowing in the past.
And since happiness is the meaning of life, I'd say it's logically built in to allow for both.
2007-03-13 14:42:20 · answer #5 · answered by Julian 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i disagree,,,,, i dont see a conflict between happiness and meaning,,,, one can have both,,,,,,nor does being truly happy,,,, mean living in only the present,,,,,, happiness, to me,,,,, is being able to look at all three, the past, the present, and future,,,,, and feeling ok about it all, resolved within yourself,,,,,, and while you can find meaning in the past,,,,, its also in the present, and there isnt any reason at all to obsess about the future,,,,, what good would meaning do you ,,, if you cant use it and enjoy it today,,,,,, feel it and share it !
and of course, finally, no one can tell another what would bring happiness or meaning to their life,,,,, perhaps that was his way,,,,,,, i certainly wouldnt follow it or recommend it
2007-03-13 12:36:10 · answer #6 · answered by dlin333 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Happiness brings a human meaning and meaning in a humans life will bring them happiness. Both are intertwined as you see.
2007-03-13 12:40:58 · answer #7 · answered by Lesha a Canadian. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One can have both. Meaningful life will lead to happiness. For simple reason, when you think what I have done till this date, it will make you smile, and your heart will say emphatically, yes I have lead a meaningful life. How you think, so you will become.
2007-03-13 12:39:14 · answer #8 · answered by rangany 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I choose to live a life of meaningful happiness.
2007-03-14 00:32:56 · answer #9 · answered by Bethany 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can't have just one it has to be a mix and blance of both happiness and meaning
2007-03-13 16:52:57 · answer #10 · answered by Paper_boy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋