# Poll... Your life thus far. Joy or Pain? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 25, 2001, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-life-thus-far-joy-or-pain/55811 "2001-02-25T08:11:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![todaystomsawyer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/59ef9b/32.png) [@todaystomsawyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/todaystomsawyer)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2001, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-life-thus-far-joy-or-pain/55811/21 "2001-02-25T18:08:51Z")
i’ve had more pain than pleasure, but what are you gonna do? acknowledge and move on, life goes on, with or without you, life is a constant learning experience, and that which does not kill us only serves to make us stronger. (yeah, i know i stole that) later ---
**Author:** ![Nimue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d26b3c/32.png) [@Nimue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nimue)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2001, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-life-thus-far-joy-or-pain/55811/22 "2001-02-25T18:13:08Z")
Joy, peppered with pain. ---
**Author:** ![tshirts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@tshirts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tshirts)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2001, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-life-thus-far-joy-or-pain/55811/23 "2001-02-25T18:33:57Z")
Joy except for my divorce. That was two years of hell and lawyers. ---
**Author:** ![Rue\_DeDay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/41988e/32.png) [@Rue\_DeDay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rue_DeDay)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2001, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-life-thus-far-joy-or-pain/55811/24 "2001-02-25T18:40:48Z")
Joy paprika-ed with pain. I find pepper over used. ---
**Author:** ![Feynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@Feynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feynn)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2001, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-life-thus-far-joy-or-pain/55811/25 "2001-02-25T19:29:12Z")
You tell me… I woke up this morning curled up next to the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I’ve been doing this for over five years and it is always good. My one year old was calling me from her crib and as always, she was all smiles. We cuddled on the couch until her sister woke up with more hugs and smooches for her daddy. Lola got up soon after and there were more hugs and smooches before I got my butt kicked at cards. I am now sitting her in front of the 'puter and the house is alive with noise. My son and his friend are engrossed playing Game Boy, my three year old is singing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” with all her heart and soul and my one year old daughter (Dani) just woke from her nap. She’s a little ticked that mommy just locked the pantry but she’ll live. See, our sitter just came by to get paid for last nights work and Dani is aglow, the girls love her. She’s a great sitter who comes by just to play with “her” girls. We actually went out **without** kids last night and spent a great evening with some fellow Edmonton dopers. We went to THE MALL, chatted, and drank refreshing beverages for several hours before Smug, Lola, and I rode the Drop of Doom. Canadian Sue, her friend, and Silly Rabbit were too chicken to try although Silly Rabbit promised me she would go next time. (Smug - make a note of this). They are really great people. Lola and her sister are playing cards over coffee and Lola just freshened my cup (thanks sweetie!). My cold has abated and sometime later I’ll be picking up the other boy as he returns from a camping trip. The house looks like a bomb went off, there’s laundry to do and garbage to be taken out. I should vacuum too. Lola and I will do all of this together a little later on. Maybe I will even slip in a little nap… I think life is very good. ---
**Author:** ![Mercutio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Mercutio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mercutio)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2001, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-life-thus-far-joy-or-pain/55811/26 "2001-02-25T20:25:11Z")
Rittled with both intense joy and pain, I find myself content with my life. I do things others never fathom of doing. I have conversations others cannot begin to take part in. I have friends and family. I do not care what others think of me. I am content. ---
**Author:** ![Cyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e4f/32.png) [@Cyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyn)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2001, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-life-thus-far-joy-or-pain/55811/27 "2001-02-25T20:37:52Z")
I love my life. Not all is as I would have it, but there is joy everyday. ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2001, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-life-thus-far-joy-or-pain/55811/28 "2001-02-25T20:41:35Z")
What is that quote from “Scaramoche”? “He was born with a smile on his lips and a firm conviction that the world was mad.” With that in mind, the joy far, far outweighs the pain. ---
**Author:** ![Purd\_Werfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2001, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-life-thus-far-joy-or-pain/55811/29 "2001-02-25T20:41:55Z")
Pain punctuated by moments of joy. Someday I’ll be smart enough to enjoy what I have. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2001, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-life-thus-far-joy-or-pain/55811/30 "2001-02-25T22:17:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Medea’s Child \* > \*\*[sub]I walk into a thread, and you know I can only stay on topic for thirty seconds…[/sub] > > Soda! _blush_ Hehehehe…Soda likes me! > > Muffin, you ship cats? How far? My catless life has big holes in it until I get a place that allows pets. I plan to install a cat about the same time I walk in the door. \*\* Whenever you want, just drop me a line and I’ll ship one or more little darlings your way. Give me a couple of weeks lead time so that I can take care of the paperwork. A pic of them as kittens is under my entry on the Teeming Millions page at [http://fathom.org/cgi-bin/pm.cgi?login=Muffin&action=display](http://fathom.org/cgi-bin/pm.cgi?login=Muffin&action=display). They are now young adults, and all have wonderful personalities. I’d love to keep them all, but I do not have enough room (I took in a pregnant stray, so now I have a herd of cats). We can chat via e-mail to determine which you would prefer. My e-mail is [culpeper@tbaytel.net](mailto:culpeper@tbaytel.net) ---
**Author:** ![Bumbazine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbazine/32/362_2.png) [@Bumbazine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbazine)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2001, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-life-thus-far-joy-or-pain/55811/31 "2001-02-25T22:43:27Z")
A whole lot of both! I’ve been stabbed, shot at, lied to, cheated on, betrayed, busted down to homeless, and had to start over from nothing. I’ve also held a new baby in my arms, get called Grampa by five kids, get to walk on the beach with the love of my life, and think this is still the most beautiful planet I’ve ever been on. When my time comes, they’re going to have to drag me kicking and screaming from the room. Life is pain, doesn’t matter, it’s worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Grok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/96bed5/32.png) [@Grok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grok)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2001, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-life-thus-far-joy-or-pain/55811/32 "2001-02-25T23:32:14Z")
One lacks perspective without a certain amount of pain. The trick is to use it like a slingshot to hurl you upwards into more joy. Remember that Star Trek NG episode where Q lets Picard delete the most painful event from his life? He finds that his life changes radically, and that he as a result of being spared the pain does not take the risks necessary to become the Captain we all know and respect. I certainly didn’t like having my shredded heart handed to me during my first semester of college, but I wouldn’t take it back. Who knows where I’d be today? I’ve made myself into the pretty much the person I want to be, dumb mistakes and pain and all. ---
**Author:** ![Sofa\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Sofa\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofa_King)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2001, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-life-thus-far-joy-or-pain/55811/33 "2001-02-25T23:35:03Z")
To echo Bumbazine, once you pick yourself off the mat a couple of times and realize that it’s solid, it all becomes one big wrasslin’ match. You’re gonna have to hit me over the head with a folding chair to get me outa this one. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2001, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-life-thus-far-joy-or-pain/55811/34 "2001-02-25T23:45:20Z")
{{{{{{{ **Grok** }}}}}}} > [@](#): > > One lacks perspective without a certain amount of pain. The trick is to use it like a slingshot to hurl you upwards into more joy. Well said! Joy here. No question about it. Having been walloped by some big huge hairy pains and lived to tell about it, every moment is a miracle and fills me with gratitude to God/Goddess for the fantastic gift of existence. It’s all good. ---
**Author:** ![TheNerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@TheNerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheNerd)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2001, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-life-thus-far-joy-or-pain/55811/35 "2001-02-26T01:40:41Z")
Life is pain. Anyone who says different is trying to sell you something. ---
**Author:** ![Eo\_Echo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ebca7d/32.png) [@Eo\_Echo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eo_Echo)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2001, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-life-thus-far-joy-or-pain/55811/36 "2001-02-26T03:25:04Z")
I’ve learned more from the pain I’ve experienced than from the joy. So sure, pain hurts. But it’s been worth it. Pain brings strength, IMHO. And as I said earlier, there’s always strong drink, thank goodness. ---
**Author:** ![Falcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/49beb7/32.png) [@Falcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Falcon)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2001, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-life-thus-far-joy-or-pain/55811/37 "2001-02-26T03:54:05Z")
Pain. Definitely pain. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Fairy\_Princess\_Kitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Fairy\_Princess\_Kitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fairy_Princess_Kitty)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2001, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-life-thus-far-joy-or-pain/55811/38 "2001-02-26T06:10:44Z")
Mostly joy, thinking about what life could be like makes me think that it was pretty happy. The past half year has been nothing but pain and it doesn’t look like it’ll get better antthing soon but at least I have happy memories to look back on. Kitty ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2001, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-life-thus-far-joy-or-pain/55811/39 "2001-02-26T11:47:14Z")
Those are my only two choices? Because my life has been nothing but mediocre. In the absence of true joy, of which I have never experienced in my whole life, it must therefore have been a life of pain. But nay, it has not been painful hardly at all - suffering the death of family and friends, feeling the need to abandon my home through necessity of survival, having never experienced physical love from another human being… Yeah, that sucks. But I’m not unhappy - just lonely. I’m not angry - just confused. I’m not disappointed - I just know that hope is futile. My life has had ups and downs that balance out to complete mediocrity. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2001, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-life-thus-far-joy-or-pain/55811/40 "2001-02-26T13:13:58Z")
Funnily enough, I was thinking about this yesterday. In my life, I’ve known pain and sorrow, and I’ve known beauty and love. And often, they’ve all come jumbled up together. Still, I think on average the good bits outweigh the bad. I give it a B+. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-life-thus-far-joy-or-pain/55811.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-your-life-thus-far-joy-or-pain/55811.md?page=3)