Why do you live each day?

Wow, I agree with alot of your posts. I get really angry sometimes, and really sad, but in the past couple months, I've taken a turn for the better. I'm really happy with myself, and I am truly trying to live each day to the fullest. I (now) live so that I will make it into heaven with God.

I have basically turned my thoughts upside down. I now am trying to do so many things to make life better. I am (trying to) organize my time better, eat healthier, and make others happy. I am trying to be kind to everyone, whereas before I thought not much of it, but I am basically trying to live by the golden rule now.

My answer would have been much different if you asked me a few months ago. It would have been, I live for Major. Well, back then, that was ALL I lived for.

Now I live for so much more. I live for him still, of course, he helps me alot with organizing my time. But I live to make others happy, to go outside and watch the sky, to hear thunder and watch lightning. To sit out on a peaceful night, looking at the stars, one of my absolute favorite things to do. I love nature, I love Major, I love my friends and I live for that.

I am learning to appreciate simple things, and I really think that is the key to happiness. As my mom would quote my grandpa, "People are as happy as they want to be"

I really think that your outlook on life has a lot to do with how you live. I feel much more alive now that I have come to realize many things.

You only have so little time on earth. I think you have to do what makes you happy. What makes me happy is making other people happy, and basically thats it. That can be broken into so many things.

Walking Major - makes him happy, makes me happy.
Getting good grades - makes my family happy, makes me happy.
Working without complaining - same as above.

I realize that I could have everything I ever wanted, but if my family is mad at me, especially my parents, I'm not happy. If I get the newest digital camera, a laptop in my room, the shirt I've been dying to get, and my mom is extremely pissed at me? No, I don't feel happy.

So, my advice is find what makes you truly happy, and do it.

This morning, I just went out and watched the water, and, saw some turtles, a snake, some geese, a rabbit.....it's those things that make me happy, too. And, just sitting in the damp grass, and, seeing the blue sky. Feeling the sun on my face, I've almost lost a job before, because I was constantly running late. I'd pull off the road all the time to look at cloud formations or to watch a flock of birds. I always lose track of time when I'm looking at nature. :) It's a good feeling. The lake is a great place to reflect and put things into perspective.

And, another thing that just came to mind is because one day, I hope to go skydiving again. That alone is worth waking up every day for a long time, just for one more chance to have that feeling!

This is a very 'deep' question...one that requires deep thinking to answer. Why do I live? Hmmm....

When I think of life, I think of life as a whole, and I think of what is to come after it. I think of it in this way. Life in this world is temporary. We are all going to die one day...all of us...so when I think of life, I think of the end results, and how living my life in the way I choose to will affect my 'future'. For example, when I think of school and why I'm getting an education, I don't really think of school in itself. The reason I'm studying IS for the 'future'...to help in my future. I feel the same about life. Just as school is temporary and will pass, life is the same. It is something that I'm going through now, and may be going through for many decades ahead, but like school, like a storm, like rain, like the seasons, life too, is something that will pass.

I do enjoy life. I love waking up to a gorgeous clear day, to the sunshine glowing through my window, to the soft whistling of my wonderful birds. I love nature, and think of it as a great blessing in life. My family is a huge blessing in my life. My pets are a blessing in my life. My home, cars, garden, friends....everything that I have and cherish are great blessings, and I do live through these moments that I will always cherish. That being said, the main REASON I live is not my loved ones, not my belongings, not nature. While my life does in a way revolve around these things, and life is incomplete without them, that is not the reason I believe God put me in this world. The reason I am here is for God Almighty. The reason I am here is to worship God, to serve Him, to help others for Him, and to do what I can to build my 'future' after this phase of life is over. If I get a good education, I know that is something that will open doors for my future. Likewise, living a good life, devoted to God, and devoted to helping people and animals who NEED help is what I believe to be something that will open the doors for a good future after this life is over. THAT is why I live. That is the purpose of my life. God, and my future in the Hereafter, and it is with that thought and that purpose in mind that I wake up thankful every morning. I thank God for giving me another day to do something good. I thank God for giving me another day with good health, so that I can use my good health in doing things in life that will help in building my future. I see loving and caring for my family, pets, friends as good deeds, and things I do in life that will help make my future AFTER life, a good one, God willingly.

I feel there is no purpose in life if we're not worried about what is to come in the future. Life is going to end anyway, so there has to be something ahead of me to focus on to keep me going. If I have nothing to look forward to ahead of me....well, I know life is going to end anyway, eventually, so with that point of view, life is just pointless. We are all here for a greater purpose than just living. I don't believe it all ends there. I mean...yes we all live for the ones we love and cherish (in a way), but I do feel life as a whole, and the reason we are here has a much deeper meaning to it than just that.

The reason that I live is for the good things in life. Mainly, I live for my future. I live for SeaWorld, and whales, and I live for that one day, where I will be able to wake up in the morning, go over to SeaWorld, and begin my job training animals there. That is my dream. But, I also live for other things, like things that I truly enjoy doing, like riding horses, gardening, flowers, and photography. Also friends, friends and family is a big one. You should do what makes you happy over everything, do what you enjoy doing. If you don't like the job that you have, then get a new one. If you don't like the life that you're living, then change it. I know it isn't always easy, but it is possible. I go by this quote alot, that I think will help:
"All animals, except man, know the meaning of life is to enjoy it and do so."

Hey Annie! There are a few things really. There's my son Mike; he works full time, is putting himself through college at night and wants to be a prosecutor on child abuse cases. Mike spoils me rotten, anything I want he gives me. He adores his grandmother and will help anyone anytime. Then there's Groucho, a real kitty character. I just love that little guy so much. His antics are always good for a laugh (though at times he doesn't seem to think so). Then there's my job. I work for the state Office of Child Support Enforcement as the paralegal assistant to our attorney. I absolutely love it! Before I came to the policy unit, I did several other things directly involved with enforcement. The job is a pressure cooker on a slow day and we don't get many of them. After several years of working on individual cases, the job I'm in now is a challenge. When a question comes in from a county or another state. my job is to research federal and state laws, court rules, regulations, procedures manuals, whatever resource that applies. Then put it all together and determine a policy/procedure position in response. All in all, I've been doing this for 24 years and it has never been the same thing twice. But no matter how crazy things at the office get, at the end of the day it's nice to think that just maybe in some small way I made a positive difference to a family somewhere. Love my son, love my kitty, love my job. All is right with the world.

I haven't figured it out yet. I don't know why i get up. I have really no reason to. Except for those beautiful dogs outside and my horsey but thats it. I have no other reason i guess...:o

I decided to do something about my sadness and the way things are going in my life. I had to re evaluate what I do not like about my life.

I do know that I want to move out of Oklahoma, the land of the boring. Anyway, I am hoping to move to Washington, maybe get a place in the country so I can have the space and freedom to garden if I want, and to own horses. Of course Star would love the open space as well. I want to settle down and start a family. Of course moving takes time and money, not to mention, my sister is having a baby this summer and I want to be here for it. After that though, we're outta here. Now until we have the money, I am going to be taking some classes at a near by school. The one I enrolled in is a painting class. This will get me out of the house and among people, since I rarely leave the house other than to workout. I know it's just a small change but it's something to look forward to.

I also know that my ultimate goal in my life is to open a no kill animal shelter. Animals have played such a big role in my life and in a positive way, I want to give back.

I appreciate all of your kind words and wisdom. It really does help to have you guys. Thank you so much.

Annie

Momcat,

Your son sounds like a real treasure!! My mother always taught me that you can always tell the way a man will treat his wife/girlfriend by the way he treats his mother. Boy was SHE right!!!!

Palomino21,

Glad to hear you're starting to perk up. Sounds like you've got a plan!

Annie -
so glad that you have a plan for now and that things seem to be perking up! When I was at my lowest and starting to pull up - I also took a painting (watercolor) class at the highschool adult education series!!:) It was my first venture back to the world and normalcy. YAY for you!! Things will get better! Planning and looking to the future, even if it seems a small thing is all we can do. Hugs to you!!
Debbie

Annie, I really am happy to read that you have honed in on the problems and already are finding solutions.

It is wonderful to have goals to work towards. I sure like the sounds of your goals and I wish you the greatest success.

You are going to love being an Auntie too!

Sounds like a plan, Annie! Getting out of the house and connecting with others who share your interests is a wonderful place to start. This really is a wonderful world filled with fantastic opportunities for those willing to take a risk and reach out for them. Hold on to your dreams and keep moving in any direction as long as it's forward. As one of my high school teachers always used to say, "Columbus took a chance and look what he found!"