Instructions for life
In a recent post I dropped a bombshell and stated the meaning of life. I only touched on it right at the end of the post, so this post is focussed entirely on that one thing. Here’s what I said:
‘The meaning of life is to give your life meaning.’
There are people who think positivity and motivation and optimism are all just delusional, unrealistic and unachievable daydreams. I hate that. To me, nothing is more attractive than having life goals. I’ve got plenty of goals, as you may have noticed. I want to visit as much of the world as possible, for one.
I want to offset what I’m doing in my van, so I’m trying by doing this.
As I sit in my cabin, Kofifernweh, and write this all down it’s come to mind that there’s a reason they say ‘life is a rollercoaster.’ It’s so full of ups and downs, and the thing that gives us strength is our attitude and the way we deal with the downs, but also how we deal with the ups. My list of goals is so much bigger than things like the two above, but first I want to touch on the opposite side of the coin. I know what life is about, but here’s the problem - here’s what I interpret many people think it’s all about.
People have a job they hate in order to be able to afford the things they hate in order impress people they don’t care about. They’re paying for a life that means nothing on the inside, but attempts to have the appearance of meaning something aesthetically.
I worked hard to pay for an Audi A3 Sportback Black Edition. Do I actually like it? It’s ok I guess. Would something cheaper and less flashy get the job done? Absolutely. Would I be able to do more with my life without that expense? Does the expense I’m talking about extend beyond finances and also include quality of life as an analogy? Am I pushing to something far deeper than just car payments?
You don’t have to have a dream. It’s not a problem if you don’t have one at all. If you have a big dream it may take a whole lifetime to attain it, but without a dream you should still give your full dedication to the work you’re undertaking and consider others in place of having that dream as a target to set your sights on. Put your head down and do it right. The things we do shouldn’t negatively impose upon others, and if there are positive ramifications to our actions it’s important we share those positives. Essentially, goal or no goal, we must be good people. There are enough problems in the world without us adding to them. Even if it’s just very, very small things, they soon start to add up. The way I try to see the bad things that happen in life is that even when I’m struggling, how incredibly lucky I actually am. It’s not ok that the luxuries we crave should come at the expense of our fellow man, it’s not ok that human rights are based on wealth, it’s not ok that children are starving, it’s not ok that men make women feel like objects to the extent that they’re cautious about walking down the street, it’s not ok to take an altruistic view towards these legitimate issues. The planet is a living organism and we must treat her very carefully. We must stop assuming we can go on consuming her resources indefinitely. It’s not a bottomless pit - we should all do our bit to contribute to a greener planet.
So, with all that and more in mind, I’ve set out the rules for my adventure and there are some that I’d love you to take on, too. You see, so many people take on the things I’ve described above and make it ‘normal’ and therefore think they can’t do anything different. They think they’re out of energy, unmotivated, stuck, or self-labelled as ‘lazy.’ Well you aren’t lazy, you aren’t stuck, you are just used to living your life in survival mode for years and you’re burned out. That’s different. You can fix that. Here are the rules:
Love your life. Be selfless every time you can without doing anything that will hurt you. You are 100% in charge of your own emotions - don’t expect someone else to change the way you feel - that’s entirely your responsibility. Right is right even if nobody’s doing it. Wrong is wrong even if everybody’s doing it. Be hard on your opinions and thoroughly examine them before thrusting them on others. Think critically of yourself, take what you do seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously. Be strong and patient through pain - someday the pain will be worth it to you. Take ownership of your actions. Don’t seek happiness - seek instead to make others happy and maybe you’ll reap some happiness from your actions towards others. Don’t blame others when things go wrong, and don’t take all the glory when things go right. Listen with both ears. Nothing is beneath you. Take care of your body - you’re going to need it. Stand up straight with your shoulders back. Take the time to breathe. Tell the truth - or, at least, don’t lie. Be prepared for all weather, all possibilities, and all adventures. Give value to experiences, not possessions. Give to others without expecting anything in return. Live within your means. Don’t panic, don’t rush, don’t overthink. If you can’t find a way, make one. Don’t try to control others - you just can’t. Don’t sweep your problems under the rug. Never give up on your dreams. Have narrow focus for the biggest results. Stay outside of your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid of being afraid. Do what’s right, not what’s easy. Make your own luck. Finally, watch the sunrise at least once a month, put a lot of marshmallows in your hot chocolate, lie on your back and look at the stars, never buy a table you can't put your feet on, and never pass up a chance to jump on a trampoline. Don't overlook life's small joys while searching for the big ones. Everything will be fine. Take your life and make it the best story the world has ever told. Don’t waste it. The meaning of life is to give your life meaning
Much love
Dave
