Dare to dream?
September 17, 2010 4:52 PM   Subscribe

Does striving to attain our dreams have any moral or spiritual purpose? Does possessing the things we desire in life have a moral or spiritual purpose? Or is it only doing things for others that is spiritually meaningful? Why?
posted by drmr2 to Religion & Philosophy (2 answers total)

This post was deleted for the following reason: Chatfilter. -- cortex

 
If you are like me, and most everyone on this planet, as we are coming of age and becoming young adults, we all begin to really wonder about the big philosophical questions like, "What is the meaning of life?" and the ever popular "Why am I here?" We struggle with knowing what the right things are, we experiment, we search, we educate ourselves. It is life's great mystery, because no one yet knows what lies in the great beyond... after death.

About 15 years ago I began to discover the answer to these great questions. It began, oddly enough, in rooms full of drunks... in AA meetings. As I learned about, and practiced the 12 Steps, I came to realize just how important the twelfth and final step was. In short, it is all about helping others. About ten years ago, a dear friend gave me a book. I really bought into the way of life the author talked about, and one of the recurring themes throughout the book was, yes, helping others.

Anyway, I have realized now at this stage of my life that the secret meaning to life, for me anyway, is in helping others. The answer may not be the same for everyone. Some people may struggle and never find an answer for their own quandary. But this understanding that I have come to is a huge part of why I am a generally positive and happy person. Yes, I get moody occasionally like everyone, but it's just because my head isn't working right. If I'm thinking about what I can do to make things better for someone else, and get out of my own way, then life for me is glorious and grand. What more could anyone want?

When I needed help years ago, others were there for me. It is my turn to give back.
posted by netbros at 5:01 PM on September 17, 2010 [1 favorite]


This is the kind of chat that's right up my alley.
posted by nickjadlowe at 5:28 PM on September 17, 2010


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