Comments on: Actions vs Being

By: David Harvey

David Harvey — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 02:33:15 +0000

If the actions we take, the choices we make do not define us, then what does? What says who we are? When we reflect on a friend, loved-one, collegue, or acquaintence; do we not reach our conclusions about what we know of them? Tangibles are what we leave in our stead, they are, I think what defines us. Even things that maybe defined as intangible (i.e. unspoken communication simply through eye contact) leaves tangible conclusions.

By: ningauble3020

ningauble3020 — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 20:49:27 +0000

Alpha Kitty & friends:

I don’t find these kind of philosophical musings productive for me. That is not to say that some personalities may find them stimulating. Not at all! We are, to borrow a cliche, all snowflakes. I used to be what you might call an existentialist until I realized there was, as Paul above on this post said, no final answer. I did this kind of thinking during quiet times throughout my twenties and it drove me batty.

Is the grass green or emerald or light green or “hunter green”? Will this really fulfill my potential if I do this job or that job or no job? Ultimately, my answer was “who gives a fuck?” I’ve got enough to eat, a great life, enough money to buy what I need & want, and I make my own meaning. You can drive yourself mad asking unanswerable questions. “What if I die and there is nothing there?” The question won’t change what I value in life. I’ll still want to work in my chosen profession, still want to eat, shit, and sleep. Probably in that order.

When I say rumination, I mean that constant, gnawing worry, not just asking philosophical questions for fun. If that’s your bag, have at it. It isn’t for me. I prefer questions that you can answer with evidence.

By: Marilyne

Marilyne — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 01:13:30 +0000

Hi Allison!

As a 18 year-old girl, that will have to choose a University and a program this automn… I can say that even if I think I know what I want and/or what I’m gonna do in the next few years, I think that the idea of choosing or affirm something that seems to be irreversible is kinda scary for everyone. Only few years ago, people worked their entire life having the same job for 30 years straight. Nowadays, it seems like a “stable career” or even a stable job is unrealistic. I don’t quite know if it’s a good or a bad thing…Change is definitively a great thing, but even at 18, choosing a certain path to achieve a goal is kinda hard because I feel like I’m going to be trapped by that choice later… However, I hope that whatever the choices I’ll make in the future are going to influence in a good way my life and own development.

thanks for your deep thoughts and sharings!

* Can’t wait to watch the new episodes!!! ;p

xoxo

By: Darwin

Darwin — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 01:04:02 +0000

I would have to disagree with you Allison.

A person who has truth…but does not live it…THIS does define
him or her.

Atticus Finch (as a group of us on your site are reading TO KILL A
MOCKINGBIRD right now) knew that Tom Robinson was innocent of the crime accused.

But…

…if he did NOTHING about it…

THAT would have defined him as a much different kind of person.

And NOT the greatest cinematic hero as some have voted him.

*smiles* Like in the first Batman movie!

“It is not who we are inside that matters…but what we DO that defines us!”

The world does not change for the better by thinking happy happy thoughts…

“What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say!”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Men of action intervene only when the orators are finished.” Emile Gaboriau

“Patience has it’s limits. Take it too far and it is cowardice.” George Jackson

“Talk that does not end in any kind of action is better suppressed altogether.” Thomas Carlyle

By: paul

paul — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:09:05 +0000

ningauble:

“Maybe you think that pondering the imponderables will help you out of the mess. I disagree respectfully. I think rumination will lead to depression and ennui.”

Perhaps only if one is pondering in hopes of coming to an absolute, final answer. If this search is regarded as a process, as a life-long education, then I believe it is uplifting. In fact, if I had to choose, I’d say that therein lies the meaning of life.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 11:08:58 +0000

Seriously this blog makes me think more about what I do and why I do it then anything else at the moment. This is all very deep stuff!!

Why do we define ourselves by what we do?
I really really liked Anthony V’s view on things “Our actions that we take (and even the ones we dont take) describe us and how weâ€™ve been formed from all of our experiences. In the end, they do help tell a story of who we are. We use them as a guide on how we should live our life. And it differs from person to person” You people are soooo much better with words then I am!

* Runs of to ponder some more!

By: Joey

Joey — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 09:20:57 +0000

PS : Dear Arash, I would like to thank you for your very fine attentions and understanding.
Once again, that’s a great pleasure to note that there’s people with great and fine potential. That’s pretty good and so exciting. I know about Persian and Indian Reeds. It was very nice of you to post the message.

Take care and have fun,

My respectful regard to Miss Mack and Tabby.

Your Friend Always,
Joey L.

By: david

david — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 07:54:04 +0000

I think i understand what you are saying? For you there are two sides only cause of the business you are in. The public side, and the private side. The question then falls to which one is really you? The answer is both to some extent depending on how much of yourself you want to share.

For me, everything is very simple. No matter where you go in the world a tree is still a tree. Grass is green, and the sky is blue. Actions, or no actions my answer to this would be ” I am”.

To put it simply we are on a timed schedule. We are lucky to get a good 80 years. What we do with it? How we want to be percieved, and remembered is up to each of us.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 05:49:10 +0000

I Have a question that i have been struggling to find an answer for…….here it goes

….How seriously should we be taking life?…..
i dont mean that in a derogatory way..i mean how seroiusly should we spend the time in our lives…what are we expected to accomplish in our lifetime….just something to think about

By: Arash

Arash — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 05:36:51 +0000

True story;
A summer day.
Taking subway to work.
someone jumped, the train stoped.
Time ticking and no more trains.
Numbers adding,
On the platforem.
The man in expensive suit.
The old woman, the crying child.
Finally another train. Full of numbers.
room for one.
Time Ticking, the old woman, the crying child.
the man in expensive suit losens the neck tie.
another train, full of numbers.
time ticking, numbers adding.
the cane is shaking, the baby screaming,
another train, room for one.
the man in expensive suit, pushing the numbers.
doors are closed.
train leaves.
the cane is shaking, the baby is crying.
and there is a neck tie on the platform.
true story.
——————-
Someone told me once rich people are better people.
I grew up watching robin hood I said not nessassrily.
But isn’t that true that crime rate increases with poverty.
It is not just money my point is; How much pressure can we take before we lose our humanity. How strongly we value our values.
I have a feeling this might be related to the subject;
What we do and who we are.
We are civilized people, we have manners, we care about the little dove staying out in snow, lets call humane society.
I am a very spritual person as long as you don’t put me in a war zone.