7 Reasons to Live
I typed, “Reason to live,” in Google and got a text number for the suicide hotline. Maybe you got up like a zombie, but you need a reason to live.
7 reasons to live:
#1. Stoics choose to live in accordance with their nature and cultivate inner virtue and tranquility.
The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius are still read today. I currently use the Hays translation. “The Daily Stoic,” by Ryan Holiday has over 29,000 positive ratings on Amazon.
#2. Hindus seek moksha, to end the cycle of reincarnation and become one with Brahman.
Hindus practice meditation, silent prayers, yoga, recitation of scriptures from Bhagavad Gita.
#3. Buddhist’s seek to attain enlightenment (nirvana) by eliminating suffering and ending the cycle of reincarnation through the practices of the Noble Eightfold Path.
The popularity of mindfulness reflects the Buddha’s teachings.
#4. Humanists argue that individuals find meaning and purpose by pursuing personal fulfillment, contributing to the well-being of others, and striving for human progress and flourishing.
#5. Existentialists believe individuals create their own purpose in life through their choices and actions.
The meaning of life is to give life meaning.
#6. Nihilists believe a reason to live is an illusion.
Nietzsche loosely fits into Nihilism. But his reason to get up was to prove there was no reason to live.
#7. Christians believe our purpose is to personally receive God’s love and creatively share it with others.
Although Christians often embarrass me and I’m sure I embarrass some of them, #7 is my reason to get up in the morning.
4 questions to ask when choosing a reason to live:
- Is it bigger than yourself?
- Does it focus outside of yourself?
- Does it begin before yourself?
- Is it good for all of life?
People have been choosing a reason to live since the beginning of history. What’s yours?
Indeed. Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. That gets me up in the morning.
As a Christian, I hope not to embarrass but to encourage and support your purpose. My purpose is serving this world and what God wants me to do. This includes serving God with a relationship everyday. Service to others is my purpose and reason for getting up and after it every day.
Thanks Rich. Service is part of the Christian Ethic. I think others embrace that purpose as well, Humanists for example. I suppose a difference is Humanists don’t require a divine component.
Thanks Pete. I hope the way I described the Christian perspective is an expression of what you added.
Thank you, Dan. Personally receive. Humbly receive. Gratefully receive. Creatively share. Graciously share. Generously share.
Exactally what I needed, thank you.
Well, I also need to learn how to spell exactly…
I’m glad you can be a person of character and not be able to spell. 🙂
Amen!! “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever!” Blessed and Blessings!!
Thanks for joining in, Howard.
…with this dose of enlightenment, I’m ‘gonna start referring to you as Reverend Rockwell!
Thanks Gerry. My first degree is in Theology.
I try to do what I should and what is needed by all around me. I hope that is what my purpose for being here is. It helps me feel a worth to make others smile and they tell you thank you you have accomplished something good!
Thanks Mike. It’s interesting that others play a role in our feelings of living a meaningful life. We have the ability to help people feel like they matter. That feels so powerful to me.
I love the concept of “creatively share it with others”
Thanks Sharah. I find it difficult to think of purpose in life without someone serving others. Self-serving is part of life, but it can’t be all of life. Unless you call joy in serving others selfserving because it makes us feel good.
#7 is indeed my purpose for living!
Thanks for jumping in today, Naomi.
Profound
Thanks
While my personal choice is #7, I really appreciate the diversity you addressed and boiled it down to the 4 questions that really are what gives life meaning and purpose. We can all learn from one another.
Thanks Melissa. I find that I agree with some of the ideas in all the perspectives I listed, except Nihilism. (However, Neitzche’s writings are genius, even though I’m not an atheist and sometimes disagree.)
thank you Dan – people should never hinder us from a relationship with Jesus Christ.
I’m always glad when you stop in to add your insights. Thanks, Scott.
WELL SAID, Dan
Thankks
Your welcomme.
I follow #7, been a Servent, always room for improvement in giving and Serving others.
Perhaps it is even as simple as the reason to live is just to live.
Hi Lennie, thanks so much for adding your voice to this conversation. It’s an important topic. Your insight is clear and simple. I wish you well.