What gives you reason to live?

[Deja Q]

What gives you hope?

Inquiring minds want to know!

[HEyHEY]

1. currently

Looking for a reason to live ;-)

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. To crush my enemies, to see them driven before me, and to hear

the lamentations of their women.

Though I'm happy to settle for crushing my enemies and driving them before me.

:evilgrin:

on edit: typo

[Rabrrrrrr]

6. Seriously, myself gives me hope to go on

I'm always curious to see what I will do, so I keep on going; plus there is a lot more that I want to do, so I keep on going.

Even through the shit, perhaps especially through the shit, this is what gets me through.

That and remembering that, hey, at least I'm not in the ICU with a trache and renal failure and no family to visit and my body is wasted away so much that I can't even use the alphabet mat to communicate with people, and where I will die alone and unconscious. Seeing people like that makes me realize that, hey, my shit is bad, and it's worth being anxious about, but it's not as bad as it could be.

[Rabrrrrrr]

16. Oh, and coffee in the morning and tea at night

I just really like coffee in the morning and tea at night, so that also keeps me going.

And bacon.

[NoPasaran]

22. Mmmm

Bacon.

[Syncronaut Seven]

14. Works for me

That & the wiffe & kid would be lost w/o me around. Other than that? Nothing. Sad huh?

[geniph]

69. Someone's been watching the first Conan movie

I remember seeing that movie in the theatre. It's the first line Governor Gropenator says in the movie, and it's about 1/4 of the way through. He delivered that line so woodenly, with such a heavy Austrian accent, that the entire theatre burst out laughing - which was probably NOT the director's intent.

[JVS]

85. That is always fun

[MrSoundAndVision]

3. My 22month old son

Have a child sometime inquiring mind, you will see what I mean. My son credits me with putting up all light sources, including the moon and the sun, he points and says "Dada, lights! Dada did." And he gives me a kiss anytime I ask. And my lovely wife of course. LOVE gives hope I guess.

[LincolnMcGrath]

4. When I lay my 2 year old down

to sleep and say I love you he says "luvyoudoodaddy"

It just warms me to the core.

[MrSoundAndVision]

9. My son just heard me read yours aloud to my wife

and started screaming luvyoudoodada over and over again, so I guess you know what I mean. Having kids is where it's at, approach aging with a smile folks (I'm 27, so I guess I've just started aging...). Having kids is like an admission of mortality that you don't actually have to speak out loud. It means everything is going to be okay, if you let it.

[MrSoundAndVision]

11. Like saying....

I surrender (to death) and meaning it.


Oh, by the way, I almost forgot, Kucinich for President!

[Xandor]

5. Being here now

[Robb]

7. Damn heart won't stop beating

...That, plus I keep forgetting not to breathe.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

8. I can't think of a reason to die

[Droopy]

10. Life keeps getting better for me

I used to have problems just getting along in society. I used to be very anti-social to the point that I was actually afraid of people. I spent a lot of time running away from problems.

I'm much better now. There's still a lot of room for improvement, but I can function in society like a normal person now. I've been on the brink of suicide on more than one occasion but now the thoughts of death and ending it all have stopped.

Your question makes me think that if I can make the kind of progress I've made in the last six months then what will I be like in a year? I'm getting there, man, and it's due to some caring people and drug therapy.

[Syncronaut Seven]

17. Drugs, see I knew it!

Another reason to live!

[Droopy]

23. Not those kinds of drugs, dammit!

The kind I'm talking about make you sane. They make the voices go away.

[MrSoundAndVision]

26. No not those drugs....

All that guy does is do drugs and masturbate, give him five years, then he'll come around, or he'll just make no sense anymore.

[TrogL]

80. How can you tell?

Most people don't make sense anyway.

[Cheswick2.0]

83. Droopy, welcome back

I haven't been there but my sister has and it is damn hard to live with those voices.

[MrSoundAndVision]

There is so much to life....

you must stay my friend. Let me say this, I've had problems too, I've been an extreme alcoholic (and still am a mild, controlled alcoholic, I've been beyond that), but life is what you make it. Value it more than anything and it will become of value to you. You know, whenever I heard someone speak of (noncarnal) beauty I thought "what a faker", but I am actually at the point now where that can see a leaf floating in the wind and see the beauty, and it's unspeakable. So look forward friend, and believe in the human experience. That's all it takes, a little faith and optimism. Just look forward and don't worry. We all are just like you. Volunteer for a childrens program sometime, or volunteer for some other group, help people, help improve the human condition in others. Join the Kucinich campaign!

[sistersofmercy]

12. Lipstick, Perfume, Shoes and Purses!

When I'm down in the dumps I have to do something totally selfish. Lipstick always makes me feel better. Or perfume. Or shoes and a handbag. Oh did you mean something, well, more meaningful? Hmmmmm. I'm just a big lump of optimism with a side of cynicism.

[sistersofmercy]

28. OOPS I almost forgot.....

Rootin' tootin' hootie.

[leftofthedial]

13. my kids

and music

[gate of the sun]

15. possibility

allways exists and until I am absolutly beaten and pushed into a corner politically I will look for the possible positive outcome. I live because I am alive and the world still holds mystery for me......I don't like much of what I see our culture\, our government etc but in that I see who I am.......I don't like it and I hope for a better future for human kind based on some sort of life giving paradigm.......there seems to be plenty to hang out here for and experience.

[bicentennial_baby]

18. The world all around me

The intricate, fascinating multiverse. The delicate geometry of a sea urchin's skeleton. My family. The dance of human interaction. The experience of living: pain, love, loss, faith, horror, ecstasy...It's a wild ride, why would you want to get off? :toast:

[Rabrrrrrr]

19. And worship of Matcom!

But then, I'm a matcomist.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

20. love, wonder, hope

and video games.

[arwalden]

21. The Thought Of One Day Meeting HypnoToad In Person.

... he's so adorable.

-- Allen

[Deja Q]

41. Thanks! (blush)

Very kind of you to say that! :-) It would indeed be cool to meet you too!

[arwalden]

43. You slowpoke rascal.

-- Allen

[Mikimouse]

24. My wife, my children and grandchildren, my students, and of course

the fur children (Pooky, Tootsie, DC, and Putzin).:hippie:

[JailBush]

27. I have a role.

Anyone who opposes George Bush, or corporate corruption in general, has a calling. And have you taken a close look at the public education scene? It's a complete wasteland, pulverized by Republicans and Democrats alike, and there are virtually no adults to speak for the children.

[Mikimouse]

30. Np argument with the views on public education, but

the arguments we hear constantly about student laziness or lack of motivation are simply distractors from the real problems. We have indoctrinated our children to consumerism, and they equate success not with learning, but with the accumulation of material goods. Since critical thikning is not necessary for them to be able to purchase that new car, it is not considered to be valuable. This is not terribly surprising, and I find it in my CC and four year university students constantly. Getting them to think is a great challenge and I truly love what I do.

[Dagaz]

25. Golf

Only half kidding. I guess trying to figure out life is exciting and since I'll never know the answer it'll kep me going for a while. I have a friend trying to get me to go to Thailand and that could be a..well.....fun time :evilgrin: :evilgrin:

[Xithras]

29. Beats the alternative

:)

[MrSoundAndVision]

31. How about really high-quality-really-personable-sex?

That's nice right? That's something to hope for.

[Deja Q]

32. I gave up on that a long time ago

But it's a nice thought all the same. Just not for me. Like that song "I'm a Believer" except you replace "her" with "his" and remember that it won't happen to me. :-)

[MrSoundAndVision]

35. Would you clarify what you mean?

Do you mean then Monkees song? And, if so, what do you mean? Jesus? Explain please, because that's too vague.

[Deja Q]

46. Sorry, I have a habit of being vague and/or wishy-washy

As Charlie Brown might say, "Good grief."

I've lost hope of finding a relationship or even just the highly personable sex, which amounts to the same thing... or even just sex - after all, I am a toad... :-)

[gyopsy]

33. The basics...

masturbation, sex, drugs, music, and the desire to the see the next Matrix installment. These superficial things keep me going. :-)

[leftist_rebel1569]

34. Hope that someday life gets better

I hate high school so much, and I hate suburbs. If I get free of one of the two, I'll be so damn happy...:)

[MrSoundAndVision]

37. High School sucks...

Just wait it out. It's great when you're done, just wait for your first college party, where everyone is anonymous, it's wonderful (for a while). College is the un-doing that everything high school prepared you for (because it's mostly meaningless). Just wait until you're sitting across from some Teaching major, and see how stupid they are, it's great, they hang out together in confused clusters: these are the future teachers of America! So hang in there...all of the popular people will be ugly in 10 years for one reason or another, and they'll all still be in the subarbs as insurance agents or real estate agents, it's great.

[maveric]

36. My 3 kids. They kept me alive during the bad, bad times I experienced

when my ex left us in financial ruin. We lost the house, my wages were garnished for 1,1/2 years, I was in terrible physical pain due to herniated discs, and the loss of the one that I loved and trusted the most.
If it werent for them I wouldnt be here today.

[MrSoundAndVision]

40. Indeed...good for you

And you stick around too, your children need you, and always will. Let me tell you, I'm 27, and my mom died 3 years ago, and my dad last fall, and kids need their parents at 27. But it was my young baby boy who allowed me to bypass the grieving process with my dad: I figured he would want me to celebrate his life through loving my own family all that much more, and that's what I did. And it worked. There was little grief. Anyway, look ahead to the future, and don't give up on marriage as the greatest institution of happiness available.

[Tink]

38. My family

and love, what else is there?

[newyawker99]

58. Hi Tink!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[VelmaD]

39. Reason to live and hope are not the same thing...

at least not in my book.

What gives me hope - I have a 14 year old niece and a 4 year old nephew. They are beautiful people and I feel good knowing that one day the world will be in their hands. I believe in people - that we will evolve and grow and become something more than we are now - that is where my hope lies.

What gives me reason to live - my family, old friends, new friends, the possibility that there's love out there somewhere, ice cream, good books, music, a cool breeze blowing through the window on a hot day, the smell of rain, silver bright crescent moons, great sex, poetry, blackberries fresh from the bush, homemade chocolate birthday cake, swinging on the swings at the park. This is merely the beginning of the list. The world is full of wonder.

[Nailzberg]

42. The hope of getting back together with my ex g/f - so nothing really

Of course, I'll heal and I'll move one, but it's been a lousy couple of months. I feel like Mikey in Swingers. Winter will be better. Cause at least I can go skiing.

[roguevalley]

44. the next day coming. The chance to make things better. my family and

friends. a generally hopeful nature. The beauty of the world.
Animals and plants.

[jobycom]

45. My kids, and my enjoyment of breathing. nt.

.

[nuxvomica]

47. My life pretty much ended 20 years ago

I had committed a horrific crime for which no court but that of my own conscience could convict me. I never thought I could go on, or worse, that there was much point in doing so. I became a soulless machine, whirring and thumping and clattering without purpose. The waves of ordinary life tossed me forward: going to work, paying my bills, feeding my body, keeping up the appearance of a life.

Looking back, I am astonished at the wonders I've seen, the wisdom I have learned and the remarkable people I have known since my purported death. If history is any teacher, more astonishment lies ahead. I'm generally not a very happy person, or very successful at anything, but I don't want to miss out on what's coming.

[progressiverealist]

64. my wife and 14 month old baby girl

They are my world.

[Rhiannon12866]

77. And what was that which was so horrific?

:shrug:

[nuxvomica]

98. If you must know, the short story is...

I was my friend's only "lifeline" and I didn't take that role seriously. Though he wasn't rich and didn't use a gun, this poem is otherwise startlingly appropriate.

Richard Corey
by Edward Arlington Robinson

WHENEVER Richard Cory went down town,
We people on the pavement looked at him:
He was a gentleman from sole to crown,
Clean favored, and imperially slim.

And he was always quietly arrayed,
And he was always human when he talked;
But still he fluttered pulses when he said,
"Good-morning," and he glittered when he walked.

And he was rich—yes, richer than a king,
And admirably schooled in every grace:
In fine, we thought that he was everything
To make us wish that we were in his place.

So on we worked, and waited for the light,
And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;
And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,
Went home and put a bullet through his head.

[Rhiannon12866]

99. Oh, God! I'm sorry...

:grouphug:

[nuxvomica]

103. Thanks, Rhi. You're hugs made me feel better

I haven't told the full story to anyone in all this time and even this much has been somewhat cathartic. Back at you with the :hug:.

[Rhiannon12866]

105. I'm glad that talking about it helped you

DU is an amazing place for that sort of thing. If anyone is in pain, everyone rallies around with support and hugs.:grouphug:

[caledesi]

48. DU (yeah, I am a very sick person - crucify me) nt

[Scott Lee]

49. The idea of dancing on the bones of my vanquished foe...

And failing that, a good stiff margarita and Las Cruces sunset.

[kodi]

50. to be the eyes of the world and bear witness to creation

a nod to robert hunter for that phrase

[Cleita]

51. Nothing really.

My life has been lived so each day I live takes me closer to the end. I am not unhappy about that though.

[hussar]

52. You know something?

there are times I just don't f...ing know

[grannylib]

53. Family friends gardens lakes loons clouds trees babies birds cats...

camping driving laughing smiling music reading writing painting sewing antiquing napping dancing fishing canoeing hiking leafpiles campfires crocheting frogs foxes eagles didisayloons? baking creating poetry holidays everydays imitrex magic fairies elves wizards wishes horses dreams goals plans chocolate coffee cleansheets blue green pink purple water sky air stars day night auroraborealis crickets flowers butterflies dragonflies fireflies mosquitorepellant flashlights candles morechocolate weed spring summer autumn winter snow color change growth progress marshmallows sumac bridges rivers oceans deer flying bats airplanes easter truth children coconut fuzzyblankets fuzzyslippers crosswordpuzzles scrabble boggle thought reflection contemplaton wisdom desire longing yearning achieving journeying wandering wondering meandering juggling giggling popcorn orchards beaches mountains plains fields cornfields wheatfields tolerance reason acceptance gentleness kindness faith hope love :grouphug:

[Festivito]

54. the alternative.

and the creamy-electric feeling that comes by trying to commune with the infinite.

PM's always accepted.

[DebJ]

84. wow what a great description

" the creamy-electric feeling that comes by trying to commune with the infinite."
Did you make that up or can I get it on a poster somewhere?

[trigz]

55. Loads of things!

In prioritised order:
1. My child, expected 7th April next year
2. My wife
3. My family
4. My friends
5. The realisation that I'm only 27 years old and my health is okay
6. Football
7. Guinness
8. My summer holidays of extensive travelling around Europe, the inexpensive way
9. My career ambitions
10. The pure, unadulterated joy of listening to good music
11. My life of film & the arts
12. The fantastically fun sport of table hockey (I'm n.9 in Norway)
13. All the great new friends I will make in the coming years

Plus a bucketload of other stuff! Life is beautiful! ;)

[foxy]

94. Congratulations on the new parenthood to be.

Hope you have a blast.

[trigz]

100. A blast as in 'nervous flatulence'? Heh-heh...

It's going to be a hoot, and my kid is going to be the coolest kid on the block! :)

[Dogmudgeon]

56. The fact that Mira Sorvino knows what Quadrotriticale is

... and why it matters.


Drool, geeks, drool.

--bkl
Eat up, Mira! Don't you want to grow up to be a big girl?

[Loonman]

57. Sex and Buffalo Wings

Guinness, too.

[Red State Rebel]

59. My Family & My Volunteer Work W/ Young People

[NightTrain]

60. Two words: Tuna Helper

OK, I'm kidding about that.

One of my biggest pleasures in life is my humongous record and CD collection. I also love being on the radio, playing with animals and small children, and holding out hope that the world can (and will) be a better place for everybody.

Sound a bit cliched? Sorry!

[Aristus]

61. My wife, my grandson, and DU!

I live for moments when I tell my grandson: "I love you". And he replies: "I love you too, hunty!" (instead of 'honey'). Then he laughs and says "That's not funty!"

[grannylib]

74. That is cute! Kids are so funny...n/t

[TXlib]

62. Alcohol and Vicodin

[bif]

63. My two daughters

and my wife.

[Amaya]

65. I live for my children

I want to see them grow up...

[dreissig]

66. Sticking Around for the Next Act

As it turns out, it's not the same old shit all the time. There is progress, and I'm part of it. Small victories sustain me. And some of them are really quite small.

Also, I love reading. I've never been so bookish, I can't keep up with it all.

[populistmom]

67. My children give me a reason to live

I guess that's the standard answer for those of us who are parents, but it is the truth because it does give us some kind of selfless purpose outside of our own heads. Also, there's still many other things I haven't done or achieved and would like to which keep me going.

I think another question could be what makes you feel alive? I think that might be harder to answer though at times. Too many times I simply find myself going through the motions these days.

[truthspeaker]

68. beats the alternative (no text)

[Terran]

70. My beloved of 17 years

who makes me laugh and cooks wonderful food for me;

Reading, because there's always something out there I haven't read yet; and

just the feeling of being part of the Earth keeps me going (I know that sounds very new-age silly, but it's a genuine feeling I have).

Dirk :silly:

[geniph]

71. Sheer cowardice

I can thank my fear of pain for still being among the living, after 40+ years as a chronically suicidal depressive...there's something to be said for cowardice, after all.

[Terran]

72. geniph, I'm glad you're still around

:* Else we'd never have met at DU.

Dirk :)

[Deja Q]

82. That's a positive spin...

I know how you feel.

And you're right. It will get better. Always hope it will get better soon. That's why we keep living, I dare say. Hope it will get better. (of course, we're also too chicken to do ourselves in either, which is one of nature's ways of keeping us alive. It's amazing. Nature did the world a lot of good things. Enter mankind into the issue and look what has happned: Species die off at phenomenal rates. We pollute and abuse our environment and waste resources. We'll slaughter each other at the drop of a needle, even before you hear Candace Bergen saying "Can you hear me now?" We allow the wealthy to usurp the Constitution and make others suffer in turn. With the supporters saying "That's the way it is, get over it" and yet nobody fights for the truth or the Constitution. I could go on for days...)

It will get better. Hopefully before 2004. For people like us, the country, or the world.

[Nazgul35]

73. It pisses off the repugs....

My very existence drives them insane and the continuation of my unbowed mind frustrates and humiliates them with every breath they take...

:evilgrin:

and my cats....

[bushisanidiot]

75. My Kids

If not for them, I'd probably be a full time traveling protestor somewhere..

But there's always retirement! ;)

[Speck Tater]

76. Chocolate Chip Cookies and milk.

Pizza and beer.
A Big Mac and a large root beer.
Sweet and Sour Chicken with fried rice and egg fu young.
Fresh hot apple pie with a thick slice of cheddar.
Corn on the cob drenched in butter.
Graham crackers with peanut butter and choclate milk.

to mention just a few.

[TrogL]

78. I might miss something

I was close to suicide in 1982-3. I would have missed the tail end of the sexual revolution, the computer revolution, the gay-rights revolution, some really kewl music and DU.

[Kamika]

79. When im 70 years old

I will hunt down all my highschool classmates that went on to college and show them I made more money then they did!

[TrogL]

81. Concerts

I live from one concert to the next. Problem is (or maybe fortunately) they're pretty far apart. Next one is sometime in June unless I cook something up in the meantime (possibly April).

The really bad thing is I get grotesquely depressed right after the current concert.

[TrogL]

86. Kicking the "How quickly will this thread die? " thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=244916

(fixed title)

[Durtal]

87. Not a whole fuck of a lot

The balance of pros and cons to going on is always in danger of shifting its weight to the other foot. It's precarious. Sometimes it seems like there's enough reason, but others, nope. I mean there's always SOME reason, but whether it's a GOOD ENOUGH reason is the question. There are lots of reasons to just quit, too. Too damned many of them.

Not a good day. Not a good three and a half decades, either.
_____________________________________

Okay, so today I'm miserable, and I'm doing my part to spread it around.

EDITED to remove excessively mean spirited spreading-the-misery around material

[EV1Ltimm]

88. paintball!

... and my wife i guess.

[Nikia]

89. I want to see how the story goes

It's been kind of interseting so far even though I've hit a rut. I've seen other people's stories too, which sometimes overlap with my story. Our lives are linked. Even now, we are linked by reading and responding to these posts. God is the Great Author and we are all part of the story.
Maybe, I am just high and take writing and literature too seriously. That's how I've thought of the world lately. Maybe "The Never Ending Story" was onto something, though.

[Vespasian]

90. Life.

It sure as hell beats the alternative!

[northofdenali]

91. My spouse.

Looking forward to winter. Looking forward to summer and motorcycle camping. My kitties. My beautiful daughter, living and learning at UAB in Birmingham and making A's after nearly dropping out of high school and 2 extra years of reflection. DU. Fellow-minded friends and coworkers.

And the Aurora, which has been amazingly strong and bright so far this year.

And the Yukon Quest, which starts in Fairbanks this year, so I'll be volunteering again.

And the Red Green Raft Race based on the best Canadian show on PBS, really strikes home here in Fairbanks.

And volunteering for Tony Knowles for Senate to unseat smarmy, Repuke Lisa Murkowski, appointed by her father.

And helping my across-the-street neighbor win his campaign for City Council. (He did!)

[flama]

92. Two D's and a W

My daughter has kept me alive for over 35 years. I knew that she'd be special and was probably the reason I was born in the first place. She is special and she won't let me die - ever.

The other D is my dog. He's almost 13 and has classic German Shepherd hip problems - minus displasia. Bruce, the dog, doesn't have any thumbs so can't open the door or his bottles of pills. His daddy can't remember how many of each pill he gets. (Bruce can count his pills and knows when one is missing.) One furry guy with no thumbs and another with no brain! I've got to stay alive for my dog's sake. (Besides, my daughter won't take any excuse for me not attending her 112th birthday party. See what I mean about "ever?")

The W is for an illusion I entertain that I might be, could be, or maybe am a writer. There are at least 4,000 ideas duking it out in my brain right now, waiting to be written. I can't die until they're all written into shitty first drafts to be bequeathed to my 113-year-old daughter. ;-) Hopefully, there will be a few published before then so she won't have to work on them all.

I hope that all the writers at DU live long enough to write all the ideas in their heads. And may the rest of you live long enough to buy the books.

'Scuse me. I've got to go write something now. I'll see you all at rbnyc's 112th birthday party and maybe even sooner.

[TrogL]

93. There might be an opportunity for revenge

I hear one of my school days bullies lives in town. Really should look him up.

[bloom]

95. My kids give me a reason to keep on living

and creating things is what helps me enjoy it.



As do friends, good books/music/art/food/challenging ideas/textures/colors/sensations and the wildness of nature.



Sometimes I don't have hope. I just keep going anyway.



If there is something OUT THERE that is externally GIVING me reasons and hope (something spiritual, for instance) - well - sometimes I wonder about that. I don't expect to know.

[ulysses]

96. pesto. n/t

[ComerPerro]

97. The thought of someday owning any of these gives me hope

[OldEurope]

101. My children.

:grouphug:

[Lindsey]

102. I'm trying to raise the vibration of the planet

It really needs it at this time. Peace and I hope you're feeling better.

[JVS]

104. Pre-emptively avenging my death

[Throckmorton]

106. My Children,

They are still a work in progress. Given the hell of the last 10 months, it is a wonder that they can still laugh.

[Dulcinea]

107. My family.

My husband of 6 1/2 years, our beautiful daughter who turned 2 yesterday, & the daughter we expect 11/23.

And hockey, football, chocolate & boating.