4 ms·

Switching from seeking happiness to seeking meaning. Happiness is fleeting, and at some stretches of time, out of reach. Meaning is a more solid foundation to

by icu 4y ago

Switching from seeking happiness to seeking meaning. Happiness is fleeting, and at some stretches of time, out of reach. Meaning is a more solid foundation to build a life around. It will get you through dark times, but it surprised me how much more I appreciated happiness as a result.

mftb 4y ago
Camus thought it was the noblest of pursuits to try and create meaning in an absurd universe. Jung, thought meaning was the one thing a person couldn't abide living without. With those thoughts I think you're in pretty good company.
- icu 4y ago
  Thank you for the comment. The word that struck me most in your reply was "absurd". It's a very accurate description. I had always thought the word "horror" was a good label, and "cosmic horror" was a good way of describing a suffering life where you eventually die. We are like cosmic ants on our little ant hill of a planet that can be kicked over by any number of events not least self inflicted annihilation through nuclear war. It makes sense to me that most people without meaning will fall into distraction, hedonism or nihilism. In a way I was lucky as my meaning was thrust on me as a parent. The best way I've heard it put is that the voluntary acceptance of responsibility creates meaning. That said, I was never going to shirk my responsibilities as a parent. Having someone else who needed me gave me the meaning necessary to endure enormous suffering, to never let go, and to keep pushing through. If I wasn't a parent I don't know how I would have done. It's strange now to reflect because my life is so much better now and I'm oddly thankful for the ordeal.
  - mftb 4y ago
    I'm glad it resonated, as your comment did with me. I think your comment here about responsibility and meaning is really insightful. You might enjoy some Camus or Gogol.

4 ms·

Switching from seeking happiness to seeking meaning. Happiness is fleeting, and at some stretches of time, out of reach. Meaning is a more solid foundation to

by icu 4y ago

mftb 4y ago
Camus thought it was the noblest of pursuits to try and create meaning in an absurd universe. Jung, thought meaning was the one thing a person couldn't abide living without. With those thoughts I think you're in pretty good company.
- icu 4y ago
  Thank you for the comment. The word that struck me most in your reply was "absurd". It's a very accurate description. I had always thought the word "horror" was a good label, and "cosmic horror" was a good way of describing a suffering life where you eventually die. We are like cosmic ants on our little ant hill of a planet that can be kicked over by any number of events not least self inflicted annihilation through nuclear war. It makes sense to me that most people without meaning will fall into distraction, hedonism or nihilism. In a way I was lucky as my meaning was thrust on me as a parent. The best way I've heard it put is that the voluntary acceptance of responsibility creates meaning. That said, I was never going to shirk my responsibilities as a parent. Having someone else who needed me gave me the meaning necessary to endure enormous suffering, to never let go, and to keep pushing through. If I wasn't a parent I don't know how I would have done. It's strange now to reflect because my life is so much better now and I'm oddly thankful for the ordeal.
  - mftb 4y ago
    I'm glad it resonated, as your comment did with me. I think your comment here about responsibility and meaning is really insightful. You might enjoy some Camus or Gogol.