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Post by Neo Stella on Apr 21, 2008 16:25:19 GMT
Have any of you got as far as being able to define your purpose in life?
I believe I have been able to do this and can state it as follows:
I am a creative communicator. As such I have dreams I have distilled into a planned strategy. I have developed tactics to carry out actions I believe will result in profound changes in the world.
The on going war with ego for me has gone underground, so a deeper sense of awareness is necessary to keep the dark side of myself in check. I do know at times this will surface, at which times I hope my good friends can reign me in to look in the mirror once again. I have made so many mistakes in the past I hope I have learned from and aim to apply those lessons.
What have you learned about yourself in realising your purpose and unfolding your potential?
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Post by Al Truest on Apr 21, 2008 18:45:10 GMT
Have any of you got as far as being able to define your purpose in life? I did this at about age eight. I decided that I was going to try and leave the world a better place after I have gone. As one of six children - 'next to the youngest; I wanted to learn from the mistakes of others and make my life meaningful. I believe in changing the world one act of kindness at a time. If my intentions are good, then I can change a life for the better and bring them along on my journey. My ability to disarm and to convey goodwill has been well honed. There are times when I fail. But I do not let that deter my intent to persevere. Ego is something I do not struggle with. I don't really mind what people think about me when I know my intentions are good. The use of self-deprecation and the practice of altruism keeps me on task. I have found that when I am being deliberate and focused I can be as inspired and profound as anyone who has ever lived. This is not ego - just my confidence that we can ALL enjoy those moments and epiphanies if we can let loose of our inhibitions and ignorant self doubt. Conversely I know that I can be petty and frail when I do not respond in responsible and selfless ways.
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Post by rosabelbelieve on Apr 21, 2008 23:17:17 GMT
Very good and thought-provoking idea for a thread, Neo. I think I would have to say that my purpose in life is in writing, because without that I simply find it so hard for me to make sense of the world, connect to any sort of spiritual higher power, and keep myself purposeful and balanced - let alone be able to inspire, comfort, or help other people, and give something of worth to the world. I feel truly and irresistably compelled to record and interpret life through art, and I think that it's my way of making the journey from 'the mundane to the sublime' and give life meaning. It's almost a spiritual practice for me, and I sincerely have no idea what I'd do without it. Whenever I stop writing I actually get depressed, and the only thing that can cure me is to start again. So that's the value it has to me personally. But in terms of the impact that transcends the personal - I think that inspiration is an incredibly valuable thing, and through my poetry or art, I am sometimes able to inspire other people. And it makes me so happy when that happens. It seems to be the way I can spread joy, understanding, and inspiration in life, and I think that's quite an adequate purpose. As Al said, change happens one act of kindness at a time. So I like to think that things like this are actually signifigant, and mean something in the end.
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Post by rosabelbelieve on Apr 21, 2008 23:19:45 GMT
I have found that when I am being deliberate and focused I can be as inspired and profound as anyone who has ever lived. This is not ego - just my confidence that we can ALL enjoy those moments and epiphanies if we can let loose of our inhibitions and ignorant self doubt. Conversely I know that I can be petty and frail when I do not respond in responsible and selfless ways. Agree completely. When we 'leave it open' to these epiphanies and inspirations, I think it's very much a surrender of the ego to almost a greater metaphysical 'self' that could also be termed 'selflessness.'
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Post by tannis on Apr 22, 2008 11:57:49 GMT
"where's my purpose?"[Kate and Interviewer in studio] I: Don't you have a problem now? What next? How you're going to follow the success? K: Well you see people say this to me and I don't really look at it that way, because it's not a matter of following success. It's things have happened, you've done them in the past. And you see things wrong in them, and you want to go on, and you want to do them right. And I think that's all it is, you know? It's just the desire to want to keep doing things better. And I don't really see it as following a great success, cause if I did I'd get really paranoid and I probably wouldn't be able to do a thing. I'd be so worried about doing something better than that. Whereas you're just in the present moment and you're doing what you're doing. I: Are you likely to change your style completely, suddenly? K: I don't know. I'd quite like to in a way, because I think change is a very important thing on any level. And I do want to change, not only as a person, but as a musician. And I think it's starting to happen a little. Just slightly different. I: What's the most satisfying thing you do then? K: The most satisfying thing? I guess when you've actually written the song. And you think about what's going to happen to it, in the future, the fact that it maybe will have strings on it and voices. I: Who do you first play it to? K: Well, it always used to be my father. When I lived at home, the first thing I'd do was grab him out of his chair and say "listen to this." And I'd put him down and play him all this rubbish. But now I think it's probably either Jon Kelly, my engineer, or one of my brothers. And still my father, now and again. It's always got to be someone that I know their judgement is good, people I trust. I: And if they said it was rubbish. K: If they said it was rubbish I'd think about it, but if I didn't think it was rubbish then I'd still carry on with it. You have to believe in yourself. You can't just accept what other people say all the time, otherwise you become them and not yourself. I: Do you ever worry that your confidence might go? K: It goes! Yes it goes a lot and you sit there and think "I shouldn't, you know... Oh! where's my purpose?...I'm nothing." And then something will happen that will make you see that you're just a tiny little thing just trying to do your best and that's all you can do, so that's cool. I: Are you ambitious? K: I think I must be. I don't think I want to be ambitious, but I must be to want to put up with all this, to carry on. I: You're now just over twenty one, and you've made it. What is there left to do now? K: Everything!!! Yeah, I haven't really begun, yet. I've begun on one level, but then that's all gone now so you begin again. I think... I: Is there ever a chance that you might give up, get married, settle down, be an ordinary mother, say? K: Obviously there is a chance, because I'm a human, and humans are very unpredictable. But, ah, I don't know. I don't see that happening to me, not for a while. I've got so much do to and I think freedom is important to be able to do all those things. I: What will Kate Bush be like at thirty-one, any idea? K: I don't know, probably a few more lines. [Laughs] I hope they're happy ones. I: And a few more songs. K: Yeah, I hope so. That's what I want to do, that's what I'm here for. Nationwide, "KB on Tour", April 4, 1979 gaffa.org/reaching/iv79_ot.htmlKate Bush - Nationwide special bit 3www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe2_ztS5mUk
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Adena
Moving
This time around we dance - we're chosen ones
Posts: 611
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Post by Adena on Apr 22, 2008 12:29:50 GMT
I am very intelligent, quick-thinking and imaginative. I can give and take in good proportions, and I know exactly what I wish to do and when. I believe that letting a tiny part of my goodness into the hearts of everyone I meet can help to leave my little stamp on this world, and help them to be happier.
I have walked on the other side of life for quite a while now, and I continue to adjust to my position in life as time goes on. Doing this without much help is not an easy thing, but it is getting easier as I spend more time in this place.
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Post by Neo Stella on Apr 22, 2008 13:58:48 GMT
Thank you all for your responses. I can see you have each been thinking about the questions posed.
Every one of us has a purpose. Discovering it is one of the countless beauties of life. Being aware of one's reasons for living empowers us to fulfill a deep human need - the desire to feel we make a difference.
The strange thing is, whether you feel it or not, you make a difference.
Each thought you think can lead to an action.
Each act can lead to a habit.
Each habit can form a character.
And each character plays their part in the unfolding drama called life on this most wonderful of planets...
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paddy
Under Ice
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Post by paddy on Apr 23, 2008 0:29:50 GMT
Hmmm. There is a quote that I have heard attributed to Wilde (although much is attributed to him in error), that goes like this: The great business in life is to be, to do, to do without, and then to depart. (My apologies if you recognize this quote and I got something wrong!) I'm not attempting to be flippant about this. It's a difficult thing for me to define in detail. So much to do. Foremost for me is to live for my family, provide for them, and find as much joy as possible along the way. It has always struck me that it is at once both a blessing and a curse to have a clearly defined picture of one's purpose and destiny. It certainly shapes one's thoughts and actions, but can constrain them just as easily. And how to escape it? Maybe it's sour grapes, but I think I'm just as happy not being able to see this more vividly. As tannis quoted in the KB interview, living " in the present moment...doing what you're doing" seems to me to be the essence of the thing. But I must hasten to add that I don't mean to denigrate the other views expressed here. By its very nature life is a personal voyage, and we must each navigate through it our own ways. I admire the thoughts expressed here, especially regarding awareness, the importance of art, and contributing what we can to the world.
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Post by rosabelbelieve on Apr 23, 2008 1:45:11 GMT
It has always struck me that it is at once both a blessing and a curse to have a clearly defined picture of one's purpose and destiny. It certainly shapes one's thoughts and actions, but can constrain them just as easily. And how to escape it? Maybe it's sour grapes, but I think I'm just as happy not being able to see this more vividly. A good point. I think that certainty can be a handicap in matters of this sort, because it is so necessarily limiting. 'Leaving it open' to many possibilities is, IMO, very important to being able to actually have a feeling of meaning in life. Mystery can often give life more meaning than knowledge. Still, I think that a sense of your purpose can be an extremely important tool of navigation, so to speak, as long as that doesn't degenerate into something constraining or outmoded. I don't feel as if I have the whole answer to anything - it's such a big question, after all. But it can only benefit us, IMO, to keep trying to answer it; even if we never wholly will.
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Post by Barry SR Gowing on Apr 23, 2008 6:39:52 GMT
There is a quote that I have heard attributed to Wilde ... I'm not familiar with that quote, although I agree that Wilde, as with most of the great wits, ends up being credited with many things he didn't say. Groucho Marx is another example of this. I'm making myself laugh thinking of Groucho and Oscar in the same room... I must say this is an excellent point, and I like the overall gist of your post, paddy. I was struggling to define the "purpose" of my life. Since I was about 8, I've considered myself a "writer", but the question is "why?" Do I write for entertainment (of myself or others) to teach or for some other reason? Is there a point to it at all? As time has passed, I have found new ways to express myself, new areas to learn and new people to share my ideas with, I suppose that my attitude has developed. I agree that just having one purpose lin life could be limiting or misguided, at least for some of us (although it might be perfect for others). I'm a "moment" sort of person. The doing of the thing is very important. To me.
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Adena
Moving
This time around we dance - we're chosen ones
Posts: 611
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Post by Adena on Apr 23, 2008 6:58:18 GMT
For me, I live in yesterday. It's one of my worst faults, yes, but for me yesterday has already been travelled, and today is a chance for us to think about yesterday.
The moment is nothing. What happens afterwards is more important. A thank-you yesterday can stop somebody from hurting themselves today, a kind act today can make a person happier and better-off tomorrow. Don't forget it.
I guess also that walking on the other side has distorted my view, and I look to yesterday to provide images of an Adena who never existed. Still, it's life. Everyone has something they want to change.
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Post by Barry SR Gowing on Apr 23, 2008 9:03:44 GMT
Still, I think that a sense of your purpose can be an extremely important tool of navigation, so to speak, as long as that doesn't degenerate into something constraining or outmoded. Mmm, I think I agree with this too, mostly. I guess I have a kind of broad general sort of purpose, but it's not too focused or specific. It might change to include new things as well as what I've already been doing. I'm quite in favour of that kind of purpose. You never what new opportunities will come along - I wouldn't have pictured myself at a Kate Bush forum a few months ago, and certainly not posting about topics like this! --Paul--
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Post by Neo Stella on Apr 23, 2008 11:57:46 GMT
Having read further posts I detect a fear of restriction if you make a commitment to what you believe your purpose to be.
It is my belief that definition allows you more choice not less. Commiting to one line gives you more power to commit further in future. A choice made now opens up greater choice to come.
Of course, different kinds of thinking leads you along different paths. My objective here on this thread was to make you think about the effect you have on your world...
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Adena
Moving
This time around we dance - we're chosen ones
Posts: 611
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Post by Adena on Apr 23, 2008 12:21:53 GMT
Having read further posts I detect a fear of restriction if you make a commitment to what you believe your purpose to be. It is my belief that definition allows you more choice not less. Commiting to one line gives you more power to commit further in future. A choice made now opens up greater choice to come. Of course, different kinds of thinking leads you along different paths. My objective here on this thread was to make you think about the effect you have on your world... I can't yet make a commitment to what I wish to do. Walking on the other side of life prevents me from doing so, therefore until I can rejoin the world, I cannot commit to any worldly activity.
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Post by rosabelbelieve on Apr 23, 2008 16:18:20 GMT
Thinking about this more... maybe it's not a specific, limited idea of our purpose in life that we need, but rather a feeling or sense of life being meaningful, and with many possibilities. Specific purposes, I think, can come and go as people change - and to fight that would be quite as futile, IMO, as trying to never change, as a person. But if there is something that really 'calls' to you, I agree with Neo, it opens many more doors than it closes. I feel this way, personally, about writing. And I find that a very inclusive purpose - it is something almost beyond change, but it can incorporate all the changes and new ideas I have. It's a navigation instrument on the ever-evolving seas of life, and one that seems useful to me no matter what the weather. I also think that purpose can be a very mysterious thing, and still exist. A question can be a much more powerful meaning in life than an answer. And a good deal of recognizing it can be intuitive, and maybe not intellectually make sense. And part of it, for me, is sometimes almost a faith that what I'm doing is meaningful - there are often things I don't understand in the creative process, for example, but I just sort of continue anyway. Living the questions... Living in the moment...
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