The question is, how do YOU?
I'm sorry, but I'm bloody tired and can't keep my eyes closed. I don't know how seriously this question was being asked, but what the hell. I really didn't want to post here anymore but at the moment, I've got few better things to do, but even less energy to do them. That didn't quite make sense, but let's move on shall we?
> There really IS no meaning. It seems to me if we were all
> brutally honest with ourselves we would have to admit that
> humanity, and much less ourselves are incredibly insignificant.
> So how do you wake up in the morning knowing your life means
> nothing?
It actually doesn't take brutal honesty to admit this to oneself Mr. PhrenzyMac. People have lived and died trying and trying, never having answered this question regarding purpose within a random and pointless universe. I believe that this is what is to be expected if the question is asked at all. Before one comes to such a conclusion, one must first admit that there is no God. From there, logic and philosophy take over.
This is obviously not a discussion to be condensed into a short message board post, but I'll attempt to be terse.
I think the trick is to think small. If there's no omnipotent being watching over us all, having already given us our directions, then we must remain grounded within the world that we live. Deal with what you can, and come to terms with what you can't. I also think that it's vital to work with linear, lucid logic. You have to create your own clarity within a vast, limitless universe of disorder and chaos.
You know what? Instead of writing an essay on my views on the purpose of existence, I'll just reply to the points in your post. I'm starting to feel tired now.
When you say that there really is no meaning, what you actually mean is that you have no one to give you any meaning, to tell you how to be, and you've yet to determine your own "raison d'etre" (reason of being). I feel that the search for purpose is healthy, but it's everything to first find out who you are and what's important to you. Then you can begin the struggle to be what you want to be, do what you want to do. Forget about existence beyond life, because if you're questioning your existence, then you're questioning the existence of God, in which case, everything ends the moment your eyes close for the final time.
I feel that this absolute finite existence supports the argument that life is not worthless, but absolutely precious, with every conscious moment being simultaneously what one lives for and the path to ultimate fulfillment. One knows that this goal is impossible to reach, but I feel that the trick is to work towards your goal with passion and deliberation, and be satisfied with the struggle, accepting that there will never be a final result.
Come to terms with the knowledge that there's never enough time, but one does what one can and must be satisfied with that. This means, live life, and don't take time for granted. And be aware of your life and your existence, so that when you've reached the end of your timeline, you'll know for sure that you've lived. If there's one thing that upsets me terribly, it's when I see people floating through life so unaware of it all.
You said that we're insignificant. I disagree. If I may quote Dostoevsky, "If there is no God, then I am God." If man exists within a pointless, cruel, and Godless universe, then I feel that we are everything. We determine what the world will be, and the world is judged by who we are. We are everything, and all we have is each other. This is why I'm so vehemently opposed to any form of intolerance, aside from intolerance of Belle and Sebastian's music. This, I feel, is the only form of justifiable prejudice. ;-) Sorry Lifeguard. Er, the "original" Lifeguard Sleeping that is.
How do I wake up each morning knowing that my life is insignificant? Well, I don't feel that my life is insignificant. If nothing means anything, then I'm free to determine the worth of my existence. I try to live my life according to my moral code, love, and benevolence. Of course I fall short, we all do, but the point is to honestly struggle and be satisfied with the struggle, always pushing forward.
We carry on because we have to carry on. We're here aren't we?
I apologize if this was long. But there's no sense in deleting it after I've typed so much is there? As George Bernard Shaw said it best, "Please excuse the length of this letter. If I had more time it would be shorter." I love that quote.
If life is too hard, you can just listen to "Bloodflowers" and then disappear into oblivion. That's doesn't seem such a bad way to go.
Gros bisous,
Cili
