I don’t particularly think this is something that the Dope needs to know; I come here for the amusement, fun ,and insight that everybody provides, and this doesn’t lend itself to that. Besides, there was already a Pit thread on suicide, and while I haven’t read it closely, I did see lots of intelligent commentary about the nature of suicide and depression.
I don’t need condolences, either. My friends and I are giving each other those.
I do, however, feel that the best way to pay tribute to Nick’s life is to renew my commitment to living. I feel it is especially important to remind myself that there are reasons to wake up each day, and tomorrow makes today worth enduring.
So, I ask you, what motivates you to wake up each day. What future events are you living for?
For me, I’m surviving July because the Simpson movie comes out in a few weeks. And I’m excited that somebody (please, please, please make it a showdown between Ron Paul and Barack Obama) will replace Bush in the White House in ‘08. And I want a second generation I-Phone once it’s produced (I played with an original on display at the mall yesterday, and it made me a little giddy). And I’m interested to see how the Iraq war finally ends. And, one day, I’m going to have a family. And pets! I can’t wait for pets. And, if I live to be 91, I’m going to attend the 100th anniversary of Woodstock.
I am living for my family - to watch my girls grow to adulthood and see what type of people they become. I’m living to see if I can really pull off this whole house remodel we’ve undertaken. I’m living to finish another pair of knitted socks and see how the rest of my kid mohair spins up. Mostly I’m living to spite anyone who finds me irritating.
I’m living because I enjoy it. I enjoy my family. I enjoy golf. I enjoy nature and food and beer. I like growing older and seeing what that does to me: really.
I don’t believe in any sort of afterlife, so this is it. This is the one chance I get. I’m looking forward to seeing my kids mature and marry and bring home little grandkids for me to spoil. I like the sun, the ocean, lakes, fires, pools, stars, and hot peppers.
It sounds like I’m writing a personal ad here. Should I mention I like long walks?
I am living to experience the love I share with my husband, my family, my friends.
I am living to see how good I can get at Spanish, and how far I can go with Latin American studies. I want to get my Ph.D. I believe I am capable of doing graduate research in Spanish, but sometimes I doubt it. I’m sticking around because I want to find out.
I am living to find out if I will have children someday.
Weirdly enough I think my purpose of living my life all boils down to curiosity. It’s already been proven to me that there are a million wonderful blessings of possibility–I just want to know how far it goes.
And don’t take this as a condolence or anything, but I really admire you for opening this thread. People like you, and all the little unexpected good things that they can bring into your life, are another thing I’m living for.
Sometimes, the simplest reasons are the best. The prospect of a good meal is sometimes all I need to keep me going.
BTW, Mods, I started this in MPSIMS b/c it started out as a mention of my friend. Now, though, I realize it’s a poll, which probably belongs in IMHO. Sorry for that error (if indeed that’s what it is).
I’m living to keep the child support rolling out. That’s what makes the whole engine (of my existence) run. If there was nobody depending directly on me for their food, clothing and shelter, I don’t know what I would do.
Without trying to be a smartass (any more than usual) I’d say my main reason is that I have gotten into the habit. I know, when I think about it, that I have passed my “middle age” unless I can make it to 130, and that there’s more behind than ahead, but I think life is the only real mystery. I want to see how it turns out.
There is a Gibson Mastertone RB-250 banjo on eBay that I’m thinking of bidding on. It’s less than half the price of a new one, and will sound just as good. I may be getting my pet cat back after a few years without her, as I’ve just learned that we can now have cats in my building. I will probably visit Japan next year with my brother, sister-in-law, and young niece and nephew (whom I love much more than I ever imagined possible), which should be lots of fun. And among many other things, I’m living for the hope that I will one day find the right woman and raise my own family. I’m in my early 40s, but it isn’t too late yet for me.
That one thing that I’m on this world for. I have no clue what it is and it doesn’t stop me from doing the small things along the way, but I pray I do it soon. I feel like I am running out of time.
