Last semester I took a class called “The Meaning of Life” with another professor from Harvard. All of the reading and writing I had to do totally kicked my butt. In this class the topics of religion and politics were taboo and then I went straight to a religious philosophy class. It was a great contrast talking about human nature and God’s nature. Want to know the meaning of life? According to my professor it’s becoming a philosopher, or for Nietzsche it’s the uber mensch (super man that overcomes herd mentality), or John Stuart Mill it’s doing the greatest good for the greatest number, Descartes’ it’s reason and understanding the duality of mind and the corporeal universe and, last but not least, for Hume it’s understanding that everything you know, love, believe and do is a product of your experience…..honestly they have no idea…..really….. but they all would agree just asking the question makes a life well-lived. Personally, I think it’s figuring how to live in the present moment, not discussed in any of my classes. I read the quote recently that said:
“If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.”
Believe me I know it’s much easier said than done – but I wholeheartedly believe it!
Below are a couple traditions that create those valuable moments: The Nutcracker and a couple weeks later we headed off on our friend’s annual Christmas shopping trip feeling so grateful for each other, as well as great girl time bonding and great weather!
12/02/14 The Nutcracker – (with my eyes half closed or should I say half open) this year it was kind of tainted by a shaming witch sitting behind us. Ah well – thus why the quote by the philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre seems appropriate: “Hell is other people!” I don’t believe that about ALL other people, of course, but She was definitely one of those people.
12/12/2014 My 19 books I read this semester. So happy to be done!
Our beautiful girls!
12/14/14 The traditional Tito’s stop!
Merry Happy Christmas time with 3 of my favorite people
Princesses for the day selfie
Ahhh I do love my Chai!
As does Cherie
“Learn from the past. Live in the present. Prepare for the future.” Words of s prophet!
Reading and learning are wonderful when we have a Rock to measure it all by.
I love all of your commentary! You have such wit!
In the process of asking myself to define the “Purpose of life” I came up with this statement: “The purpose of life is to establish, develop, maintain and perfect celestial, interpersonal relationships.”