NOT the meaning of life - rather, how should one live life so that when it is ends it was the best possible?

Question

Initially I saw a yahoo question asking why someone could enjoy being in a casino when they knew they were destined to lose eventually. It made me want to answer with "why live life if you're eventually going to die?" But, I decided that is actually an interesting question in of itself. What should be ones goal or creedo in life? How do you evaluate ones life when they pass on? How would you want someone to evaluate your life?

The answers you all gave are excellent, some very touching to me. I cannot pick a 'best', sorry - so I will put it to a vote. Thank you each for sharing your wisdom. Peace.

Answer 1

I like this quote and thought of it when I read your question...

To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child or a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition, to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Answer 2

Believe that you soul is immortal and death becomes a non-issue. Simple reasoning tells that anything that is impermanent is held to be so by the absence of permanence. So that anything that is impermanent holds a proportion of permanence to it, meaning that true permanence must exist. If 'nothing is permanent,' a completely absurd statement, then nothing would hold any proportion of permanence and nothing would exist. No body, no world, no thoughts, nothing. The only reason this idea is held to and cherished because if there is nothing, there is no suffering. True, but very perverse and far off on what is desirable. For if there was nothing, then there would be no self to know that there was no suffering. So say goodbye to nihilism for good.

Answer 3

How do I evaluate ones life when they pass on?
I do not think I do.I hope I don´t .
I remember someone sayng at a funeral "he had a good life but he died too young". I was appalled at the arrogance of the speaker. How can anyone conclude that about someone else?

When my daughter died at 11 years old she told someone who expressed their concern about her youth that she was lucky, some people only lived twenty minutes.

I think what ever choices we make about our life and how to live it is acceptable and right. If the choices turn out to have negative aspects attached to them then that is alright too. I do not believe it is wrong to be wrong.
I do not want any one to evaluate my life with out a consult and that will be hard to do after the fact so if they care they had better ge to me first..

Answer 4

Well, I am living with an illness which will kill me sooner rather than later, and I have made a decision to make my life count for something. I'd rather be remembered when my life ends just how much I enjoyed life and lived it to its fullest, rather than squandering it. The best way I can live my life is to be remembered as a man who made a difference. Of course, how I live my life is my decision. But I'd rather be happy, and yes that includes playing $20.00 in nickle slots a month, than I would cry "Oh poor me." in life.

Answer 5

Everything you do counts. Every word you speak has is effect. Every thought that enters your mind lives eternally.

Your soul is the sum product of everything you do, every word you speak, and every thought that enters your mind. There is no such thing as a wasted prayer, or a fruitless love. Therefore take heed about how you nurture your soul. Seek truth, practice love and relish everything in this world that is beautiful.

Answer 6

"Just as the wave cannot exist for itself, but is ever a part of the heaving surface of the ocean, so must I never live my life for itself, but always in the experience which is going on around me. It is an uncomfortable doctrine which the true ethics whisper into my ear. You are happy, they say; therefore you are called upon to give much."
(Albert Schweitzer, Civilization and Ethics)

Answer 7

Everyone should contribute to the welfare of society to the extent possible.A man's wealth or talent has a meaning only if it has been used for the good of humanity.Even a totally helpless person can contribute by having good thoughts

Answer 8

Before i begin.... "his pandaness" YOU STOLE that line from Kurt Cobain. So anyway

The reason we grow and survive is because we are alive. Growth can sometimes be universally measured and other times only by you with units that aren’t universally understood. Any amount of universally understood units of anything that one has doesn’t differentiate their quality/worth from another. However, when it comes to personally measured units of physical or psychological value/worth people often compare themselves to their neighbors/others and begin to think one is superior (a prejudice is born). Faster growth of anything can only be accomplished through the cooperation/specialization and unity of more people.

I have found that the purpose of living and answer to life are different for everyone. I myself am goal orientated, so I like to prioritize everything in life according to it's value to me. As mentioned above my personal goal in life is to grow. So I intend to Grow/inspire growth in all aspects of my life. If I had kids then they would be of the utmost importance.


• “Extension of self - (kids, one’s children)Instinct/Love
• Self/Spouse/Partner – (One’s self, spouse, partner)Instinct/Love
• Family
Instinct/Love
• Friends
Self actualization/Similar Priorities
• Community/Neighborhood – (one’s self included in a group of neighbors)
Self Actualization/Intelligence
• City
Self Actualization/Intelligence
• State
Intelligence/Power /Similar Priorities/foresight
• Country
Power/Similar Priorities/foresight
• United Nations
Peace/power/Similar Priorities/Foresight

And if I live again I hope to Better and improve everything.

Answer 9

Since we are indivduals, our goals will be different for each of us. Life should be lived fully in our own interpretation. I don't evaluate peoples lives when they pass. I remember them for who and what they were. As for me, I've loved and laughed with people, big and small. So, if you can't remember me with laughter, don't remember me at all. Blessings on you.

Answer 10

That varies according to different person. But for me, I would like to die knowing that I had done something great for mankind, and that my existence brought much change to the world (for the better, of course).