I recently had one of my classes at ECU post this discussion question and, don't know if it was the light beer I had tonight or what, but below is my answer. I probably freaked out the rest of the class:
Question:
Suppose you were left on an island for the rest of your life alone. No one else will ever live on the island with you. The island is plush and beautiful. You have enough shelter and food to last for a lifetime. Under these circumstances, what would make life significant and meaningful for you?
My answer:
There are days when I open my eyes and lay in bed and bemoan that it is a weekday. The thought of the routine of life starting it's engine is overwhelming. Oh, not again! Getting up, showering, brushing teeth, going through a couple of outfits looking, not for one that looks stunning, but just one that is functional and fits. The goodbyes and kisses to the kids and hubby, the quick cup of coffee. Grab a breakfast cookie for the road.
There are days at work where I look around at my cube and wonder, why am I doing this? There are nights that I sit and write on discussion boards the philosophy of life, and wonder, why am I doing this?
I can step back and walk down the quiet hallway of my darkened house tonight, as it is 10:33pm and everyone else is asleep, and I can look into the bedroom of my beautiful daughter and the answer will come to me in wisps of emotion. Or, peak into my sons room, even though I have to look past the nuclear waste dump on his floor, I can find the source of my daily mantra...I will do it, I must do it.
When I associate the meaning of life, it is ever so apparent in my children. They embrace so much of what life is about, innocence giving way to knowledge, dreams giving way to reality, and hopes giving way to achievement.
I know that at some time, I will separate my sense of achievement and meaning of life and realize my own abilities to affect the world in a positive way. Right now though, the best gift I can give the world is two beautiful people.
If I were on an island without my family, my husband, my brother's, my mom or dad, I would be lost. Perhaps if I had something to write on, I could hope to pass on something to someone. But one has to wonder, if I were to accomplish grand things on this island, who would know? Would there be meaning in my accomplishments? Does a falling tree make a sound in the woods if no one is around to hear it?
Question:
Suppose you were left on an island for the rest of your life alone. No one else will ever live on the island with you. The island is plush and beautiful. You have enough shelter and food to last for a lifetime. Under these circumstances, what would make life significant and meaningful for you?
My answer:
There are days when I open my eyes and lay in bed and bemoan that it is a weekday. The thought of the routine of life starting it's engine is overwhelming. Oh, not again! Getting up, showering, brushing teeth, going through a couple of outfits looking, not for one that looks stunning, but just one that is functional and fits. The goodbyes and kisses to the kids and hubby, the quick cup of coffee. Grab a breakfast cookie for the road.
There are days at work where I look around at my cube and wonder, why am I doing this? There are nights that I sit and write on discussion boards the philosophy of life, and wonder, why am I doing this?
I can step back and walk down the quiet hallway of my darkened house tonight, as it is 10:33pm and everyone else is asleep, and I can look into the bedroom of my beautiful daughter and the answer will come to me in wisps of emotion. Or, peak into my sons room, even though I have to look past the nuclear waste dump on his floor, I can find the source of my daily mantra...I will do it, I must do it.
When I associate the meaning of life, it is ever so apparent in my children. They embrace so much of what life is about, innocence giving way to knowledge, dreams giving way to reality, and hopes giving way to achievement.
I know that at some time, I will separate my sense of achievement and meaning of life and realize my own abilities to affect the world in a positive way. Right now though, the best gift I can give the world is two beautiful people.
If I were on an island without my family, my husband, my brother's, my mom or dad, I would be lost. Perhaps if I had something to write on, I could hope to pass on something to someone. But one has to wonder, if I were to accomplish grand things on this island, who would know? Would there be meaning in my accomplishments? Does a falling tree make a sound in the woods if no one is around to hear it?
