Life Philosophies ..

My life (and the past year especially) has thus far been a vibrant stretch of exploration, reflection and growing understanding. Not only about myself, my friends and family; but also about life itself. For me to say that I have grown the most through "enjoying myself" or "having a good time" would be narrow-minded and likely incorrect, as I believe that life offers much wisdom throughout the entire rollercoaster, not just the peaks.

.. that is; we can learn about ourselves - and life - through both the ups, downs and the "mediocre" parts in-between. We should not limit ourselves to the remembrance and analysis of only the good times, as a wealth of knowledge would likely be overlooked.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that my own life philosophy revolves around learning, reflecting and growing for the better - working with all my experiences, not just the good ones.

In a way, this ideal gives me solace - especially when I enter one of those eventual guaranteed declines. I know that whatever I'm going through is just another learning curve, I will of course move past it - and the long-term result is for me to further reflect and grow into the person I need (and want) to be to suit my lifestyle, goals and philosophies.

What are your thoughts on life philosophies? Do you have one which you primarily live by?

.. and just to put in a little extra - here are a few interesting ones I have stumbled across; ones I agree with in some way or another.

For every 1 thing you regret, there are always 100 more things to be thankful for.

It is better to pursue Peace than Justice.

Life's a journey, not a destination.
Until you truly understand what this means, you may rush through life searching for an endpoint that doesn't exist.

Carpe Diem - Seize the day.
It is better to regret something you have done than to live life regretting things you haven't done.

Illigitimi Non Carborundum - Don't let the Bastards Grind You Down.
People will always try to take you down. Just because someone's opinion is valued by many doesn't mean they are always, or ever right. Many people won't like what you have to say, how you present yourself, or what you do. But many others will like these things about you. Be true to yourself.

Accept that the world is not perfect.

Live and let live.

There's so much more I want to add to this thread already, but I think it'll work much better if I actually let everyone else chip in now and express myself through conversation, and not monologue

Be the change you want to see in the world.

If you spend all your time thinking about the past or worrying about the future, your not going to fully appreciate the present.

Pain is temporary. Pride is forever.

To live is to hurt. To survive is to find meaning in it.

Every pain has a lesson, and once learnt, will make you a stronger person.

Anything lost can be found again, except for time wasted.

Wicked thread dude

Shit yeah, I like these ones most of all.

Especially; "Pain is temporary. Pride is forever." - be honest and be yourself, even if it means you'll get hurt. In the end you'll heal, and you'll have reinforced your ideals by standing up for them, etc.

Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.
Albert Camus, (attributed)
French existentialist author & philosopher (1913 - 1960)

You have an opportunity to learn more from the down times, it's wether you choose to teach yourself or ignore the lesson that really counts.

This is something that i've only recently discovered, in summary, dont be upset by things that have affected you adversely, learn from them and put your knowledge into practice for future events.

there are a few "saying's" and life metaphores that i live by but i'll get to those later. Myself, i'm older than most of yas - not the eldest, and it's a wierd perspective to have as i'm used to being the youngest of the group. I remember, like it was yesterday, the time in my life when i made the same discoveries and convictions about how i was going to live and what i was going to do. It's a cool thing to look back and see others overcoming the same trials and it makes me feel that bit more confident and sure of myself that there are others who think the same way as I.

sure i may be crazy but is the rest of the world really sane??...

The past is there to learn from, not to live in.
I've seen so many people get caught up in past events and drama's and they never seem to break the rut they're in. It's natural to mourn the past or to think of what you could have said or done but never loose sight of what you're going to say or do...

Friends are the family we choose for our selves

i could keep writin on this topic too but instead i'll grab a drink, kick back and listen to the next philosopher speak his mind...

peace

*EDIT*
Hilltop Hoods - Breathe
If you haven't heard this track i recommend it and if you don't have their album do one of two things. Either 1. buy it or 2. ring up all ya friends until you find someone who has it, go round their house and crank up the volume. Please don't pirate it, you'll be ripping off a very good friend of mine...

I'd rather have two friends rather than 200 acquaintances.

No matter how hard life gets, the people who care about you will always help you through it

Dont take life to seriously, its then that it kills you

I realised these earlier this year when two people very close to me (both anthemites, and they know who they are ) helped me through some of the hardest times of my life, and while i fell away from some of my older ‘friends’ in the process, i realised i'd rather have those two people to actually talk to than the many to dribble s**t too .

And finally, my favourite;

Within every life, Creation Rings

I just cant help but smile when i think of this

and what a fucking family we have

i believe we sould live life to the fullest and live life with no regrets because life is too short to get strung up on the lil things

something my mum has always said to me

Life is too important to be taken seriously

One i live by whether it be work, fun, friends, family and relationships it makes me who i am and as nutty and unpredictable as i am

I'd rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I am not.

- Kurt Cobain, Nirvana.

My idol.

so tru rob, so tru.

The first one is something I believe in very strongly, the second being one I hadn't really thought about before in depth - but I agree totally. I think I even called you all my extended family at my 21st.



Shit yeah. Someone else who thinks the same thing if you can't have a laugh - especially at yourself - then what's the point



Another great saying that encompasses exactly how I feel.

i'm with nys and overdose... excellent thoughts guys.

i guess all i would add is
believe and love yourself for who you are, if you cannot, others cannot and belief and love in self is what gets us through the toughest of times and makes the good times even better.

Such words of wisdom Justin!! I will soon add my 2cents worth...

there is one thing i'll say though...

as much as I have expereinced... i am still stoopid when it comes to so many things...
especially friendships/relationships... perhaps lack of experience...
i just contradicted myself... but hey... shows my confusion of everything... thus immaturity..*sigh*.. one day....

There's one that goes something about if you're not at peace with yourself, and cannot love yourself - then you are not ready to love anyone else, or be at peace with the world.

That's paraphrasing a whole lot - but you get the idea



I think it's all relative, Catsy - like right now I think I'm fairly cluey on these things .. but I can guarantee in 5 or 10 years (hell maybe even 6 months), I will have learned so much more and will look back and laugh at how I thought I was fairly knowledgable at 21.

ahhh young padawan, learning you are. be at peace soon you will...

life is an ongoing learning adventure, you will never know everything and you will never stop learning until the day you pass away. as long as you learn to enjoy what you do then it's all gonna be ok. just make sure, like justin originally said, you don't just focus on the good times as it pay's to be wary of the bad and to be wary of everything around you. while on the soujourn that is life don't forget to think 360 degrees too cos there is a whole lot more out there than just what's infront of you right now....


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My Mummy always told me that if the world were a logical place men would ride side saddle
That i should never be ashamed of who i am, where ive been or what ive been through- because my past has made me the beautiful young woman ive become today & that is something i should be proud of.
That i should share my strength with those people who are struggling to hold onto theirs & to teach them what ive been taught- because if you can make just one person hold on through the darkest times & help them out the other side then youve helped change the future. Everyone has a purpose & potential should never be wasted
Learn to love, learn to have fun- dont get angry with small children screaming in supermarkets- stick out your tongue at them & make them smile- remember how much fun you had as a child & start random water fights, but the most important thing is to never let those you care about forget you love them- because today may be your last day to show it- dont let trivial things ruin relationships that mean the world to you- its just not worth it
Hmmm..... thats about it- my mums awesome sometimes

Lol... I stumbled across this in an old notebook this evening while looking for paper... Find it very amusing and feel I should share it with you. This was written by me, 2 or 3 years ago...

"What is the meaning of life?

This questions is posed to me via late night TV, but I have to ask myself...

Why the fuck does there have to be a meaning?

Why can't we just live for the sake of it?
Why should we make such a big deal of it?

Say there is a meaning... what happens if it's unattainable? WE'RE ALL FUCKED.

We may as well give up while we're ahead.

Enjoy life BECAUSE.
Just LIVE it.
Stop worrying about WHY we're alive, and just BE alive, goddamnit!!!

...

Stupid late night thoughts"



I hope you are all as amused as I am. Thankyou very much. I'll be in my trailer NO CALLS.

G.

work to live.. not live to work.
we are what we make of ourselves, no one can alter us unless we want them to.

those that affect your life in some way, must realise that its all relative, what u put out u gennerally receive back.

one of the sweetest things in life, is the sound of laughter..
one of the wamrest things in life is to be held close
one of the most beauitful thing in life is a sunrise/sunset
combine these with a close friend and u will have a moment in time that u claim as ur own and that moment will never be forgotten by either..
that is when time stands still... and u realise how insignificant lifes troubles are.

my sig/av sayings also ring thru..

true love is hard to find. true freindship almost impossible.

i have hundreds of people i know, and many i call mates. but i count myself lucky in this life to have a small group that i call freinds. those that know me well, know who u are. and many of u will read this and smile to yourselves as u know u are in that group.

Nothing is ever more apreciated than a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, or a hug at a time of need, often the most power things that can be said are never said.. they are shown.
so show a freind what they mean to you today, and look at teh joy u bring. simple gesture often
unlocks a mountain of effects/feelings.

absence not only makes the heart grow fonder, it makes the return much warmer!

Funny you say that... thats exactly what my dad says... nice1 bruv

kinda ironic.. me saying that... coming from 5 yrs of 50hrs a week and virtually no holidays sics days or anuual leave..


hrmm i really must follow my lifes philosephys more often.. but im achiving wat im aiming for by doing wat i do.. so it cant be all bad..

Work should add something meaningful to your life, not take it away.

If working gives you the means to achieve a goal, then you're working for the right reason. If working stops you from seeing your friends constantly .. and seeing your friends is all that makes you happy at that time .. then I'd give work the flick.

Only work if it suits your life

Money suits my life.

G.

Work smart, not hard

K I N D N E S S = A way of life.


What is an Act of Kindness?

An act of kindness is a spontaneous gesture of goodwill towards someone or something - our fellow humans, the animal kingdom, and the kingdom of nature. Kind words and deeds come from a state of benevolence, generated by a core response deep within all of us. When we carry out an act of kindness it is a message from one heart to another, an act of love, an unspoken "I care" statement.

While you may not realise it, you are performing many acts of kindness each day. Such things as smiling and greeting people in a friendly manner, whether they be friends, associates or total strangers. A kind act can be sincerely complimenting someone about their hair, eyes, smile, laugh, an item of clothing or jewellery, their positive outlook, their caring attitude, or something they do or have done well. It can be helping someone on or off with their coat, opening a door, saying please, thank you, excuse me, and other common courtesies that unfortunately are not very common these days. It can be giving your total attention to people when they are talking, it can be offering support to someone who has a problem, it can be helping to heal a rift. Or it can be not doing something. For example, refraining from such things as gossiping, finding fault, or making negative judgements.

A kindness can be acting out all of those lovely, 'soft' words that are in our vocabulary, words such as caring, thoughtful, loving, sympathetic, gentle, considerate, warm, compassionate, understanding, forgiving, friendly, tender, amiable, genial, unselfish, generous, helpful, supporting, nurturing. These are words that acknowledge, respect, join, unite, words that build bridges between us. And oh, how the world needs such words! Wouldn't it be wonderful to sprinkle more of these words and actions in our home, our work, our community? Humankind is capable of such beautiful things, and how sad it is that we lose sight of this all too easily. Will you help to warm your home, your work, your community, by using a greater number of such soft words and actions?

As more and more people join the Kindness Revolution, the downward spiral of society fuelled by selfishness, materialism and greed will be slowed, and even reversed. As this happens it will promote an enhanced feeling of 'belonging' in the community, and give a greater sense of meaning and purpose to all of our lives.

When carrying out acts of kindness, care should be taken not to intrude or embarrass - 'discretion' is the operative word. Give you smile or whatever, and then move on, unless the receiver gives out signals that they would like to talk. If you linger, the receiver could feel an obligation to reciprocate, or perhaps become embarrassed and resent the kind act. Some kind acts may be able to be carried out anonymously. It absolves the receiver of any sense of awkwardness or indebtedness, and for the giver, it becomes an enjoyable game. Also, anonymous kindness bypasses our ego's demand for attention, and is the highest form of kindness.

The kind acts we can carry out toward animals and nature are not difficult to imagine. It is in our interest to be friendly toward animals, and to ensure they are cared for, even if they are not our own. We all have a duty to ensure that animals are not mistreated or neglected, and if they are, to take appropriate steps to ensure the situation is remedied.

Whether or not we acknowledge it, humanity has a strong bond with nature, and if we choose to ignore this, we do so at our peril. For too long nature has been considered as something that can be destroyed or plundered. The well being of our world (and civilisation) is dependent upon this culture of abuse being eradicated. We must also consider future generations, and this means being more careful in our consumption of electricity and water. Even though this message is being vigorously promoted by the electricity and water suppliers, few seem interested in reducing their usage. There has been a fall of over ten percentage points in the last ten years of people concerned about the state of the environment. This is alarming. Do what you can to help the environment - you will also be helping to create a better world for your children and grand children.

well said

there is a child in our house and i think it makes us think even more about helping the environment. It's messed up how much people don't give a shit sometimes. Something that bugged me yesterday, is that while having lunch at KFC (not something i do often at all!) i noticed yes most of their packaging is recyclable - but there are NO recyle bins AT KFC! - what is the point? it's going to end up as land fill anyway!

eco friendly my left foot!!

Live to be the best
Have fun with life
Leave a legasy for the world

those are how i would like to live my life... currently they are more

Live to barely pass
Scrape together funds to have fun
Screw the world

Ohh how i know those to well

don't matter how much $$ you have, you can still live a great life. I work towards my dreams everyday it's great!

screw the world?? harsh but, some 'leaders' need a big talking to... sort them out later..

It is harsh, but some times when it feels like everyone is riding you, you really cant help it

I dont get along with this bloke but these words made a big impact on my life when I was heading in the wrong direction...

"It takes a second to be a bad person but it'll take a lifetime to be a good one" - my dad

Here's a theory for you:

Life is but a dream!
When people die there are up to 12 seconds of brain activity still in action.
Now, a dream minute is an infinite amount of time in comparison to waking minute. Meaning, you my wake up and its 10:14, you'll fall back to sleep and have a dream that seems to last for hours, but then when you wake up its 10:22.
Now, the theory says that in this 12 seconds of brain activity our mind enters a dream state and we live on in our dreams for an infinite amount of time.

So we're all dead and this is but a dream.