DU'ers, what gives you reason to continue living?

I'm not referring to something that allows you to avert suicide, but more in the positive sense: what about your life encourages you to continue on to the next day?

I'm always interested to know what's going to happen next.

When everything else is hell and drama, ThinkBlue1966 and our little boy make it worth waking up each morning. :hi:

My family is not all that warm, and I hardly ever speak with my siblings, and speak with my parents only once a month or so. And I don't live near "home" so I can't just pop on over for a visit. I'm not really sad about it though because I've never known anything else, but when others talk about how supportive and loving their families are, that sounds nice to me. And honestly, now that I'm all grown-up, I don't want to be involved with my family - that's sort of why I left home in the first place.

I like waking up and putting my bare feet on the cool stone floor on a summer morning.
I like playing with my cat while my first cup of coffee is brewing.
I like the quiet time when CMW's sleeping: having coffee, reading the news and listening to water recycling in the koi pond.
I like mixing up a palette of colors: the smells, the texture of my palette knife mixing medium into paint, the first strokes of the knife or brush against a blank canvas.

Those are the reasons that just popped into my head, but there are a jillion more. :hi:

even when I am stressed out and depressed and have shit piled on me, I try to remind myself that hopefully I will at least learn from the experience and/or have a good story to tell afterward. I used to be very self-destructive and depressed after my mom died when I was 13. I blamed myself for about a decade, and generally had contempt for everything.

Evetually I realized that death is part of life, and that hardship can help create character, and that neither destruction nor creation can exist without the other. Not to say I am always happy now or that roses grow out of my butt, but I try to see things as an ever-shifting balance, and that how I perceive the world is important.

Also important was the realization that something which happens which is "bad" can lead to "good" results, and that "good" things can lead to "bad" results.



Weed helped, and so did Dune and Stranger in a Strange Land among other things.

and my cats and all the things I planted in the yard.

I'm scared of seeing the next few decades, NOT looking forward to it, but I'm sticking around as long as my best friend is alive.

There have been times they were the only thing that got me to continue.

And that I haven't seen all of it yet

Along with the usual answers about family and loved ones, etc

and friends...
the excitement a new day can bring, knowing your life can change, literally, in a heartbeat.


lost

There are just so many things I want to see and do. I want to spend as much time as I can with my wife and grow old together. I want to see my kids become happy and content adults.
I want to travel and see, smell, taste other countries and cultures. I see pictures of the green hills of Ireland, lavender fields of Provence, the slot canyons of Utah and want to walk off into them. I want to eat from street vendors in Bangkok, drink beer at a monastary in Belgium, Jerk chicken in Jamaica.
Now I want to pack my bags and head out somewhere, I don't even care where.

and not done learning what needs to be learned

:freak:

:hi:

}(

:spray:

but couldn't "my middle finger is feeling twitchy" be a copy cat all by itself?

:D

:P

:P

:hi:

:hi:

And memories. They need to live on too...

LOL I try not to think too much about sad things, just enjoy life from day-to-day, more or less.

on the positive side: music, love, and those fleeting moments of pure bliss.

Being in a room surrounded by 5,000+ records is like living in a fountain of youth. I look forward to being uplifted by it everyday.

like what else can blow the hell up or get better.



oh, and love...

:hi:

But the bird nerd in me must point out that the bird is actually called a Mourning Dove.

:hi:

I'm referring to is more of a sexy beast than a bird :loveya:

hehe...

Hey you !!

flirt- flirt- flirt

:hi:

Thanks for the clarification.

:)

Why don't I ever see warblers? My field guide says there are several types all over where I live, but I've yet to see one.

:shrug:

In the brush and trees. Sometimes it is hard to spot them because they are rather small and fast. I used to see some varieties way out back before my neighbor built their house. I don't go down there anymore so I don't know if they are still there.

No specific reason. Life is short enough and being dead seems rather dull.

DMT, Peyote, Lucid Dreams

and the search of the unknown

that the next day has the potential to bring untold joys.

Besides, this is my one chance to be alive (I refuse to believe in reincarnation, because I do NOT want to go through ages 13-14 again), and as such, it's a wonder.

which is the anti-suicide thing... but you want positive... hmmmm.

I guess it would be curiosity.

:hug:

and that living sure beats the alternative.

The next book I will read, what the White Sox will do in tonites game, how will the Chicago Bulls do next season, where will I go on my next vacation, what will happen next in the Gonzo saga, what and how will we fix global warming, how will the Randi Rhodes show be tomorrow, I have young nieces etc etc.

I have a lot of interests so going to the next day is a pleasure.

that I share with my husband. Most incredible relationship I've ever had and I would hate to ever lose it. When I was single, I didn't fear death. I didn't pursue it, but I didn't worry about it. Now it would break my heart to leave him behind.

:rofl:

:hide:

foLLowed cLoseLy by vengeance.

every day is more time for pLotting.

i live because i am too scared to die by my own hand yet cherish the day it comes. willingly, i greet death.

:spray:

:hug:

I hope you are ok.

:(

Bring your non-happy ass over here and get in the hot tub. We will entertain you with stories from our colorful club escapades until you laugh or drown.
I figure from that either way you'll be happy.
Seriously, you better live 'cause we are going to the ren faire; remember?

I understand the feeling completely.

and give you a big ole

:hug:

This slow dreary rain has me sleeping 10+ hours a day heh

I hope all is well neighbor! :loveya:

:hug:

then there are the bright, sunny days that come around and i'm in my car with the radio on and feeling great. listening to the birds chirp each morning is a plus as well. i am simply hoping beyond hope that my attitude has a major positive adjusment in Jan. '09.

I love my family and friends, I love my job.
I love the nature, the city.
I love having fun. And even if I am not feeling too well and are sad I still love my life.

I love life. Period.

Most definitely beer.

Most people are good... many people are really, really good and are inspiring. Marian Wright Edelman, who was on Amy Goodman this morning continuing her passionate advocacy for poor children, really made me feel better about the USA.

I work in a book store and meet lots of interesting, cool, kind, lovely people every day. I love trees, smelling them and looking at them and feeling their shade.

I'm starting a little mini farm to put into action my beliefs about local food and connections to nature. This fall I'm planting garlic -- waiting to see that come up will get me through the winter...

(I've struggled with depression for years and have collected a lot of Reasons to Be at this point.)

the way he makes me laugh, the way we 'get' each other and so few others do. And my cat. Someone must supply my cat with shrimp treats.

Really.
there's happiness in laughter.

each day is new, unique in it's own way, and different from every other day.

Family and people I love make it worthwhile too.

The dream of making a difference in the world somehow as well.

:hi:

They are both so wonderful; I am SO blessed!!

Maybe the fear of death, but that's about it.

bipolar disorder sucks ass. especially the down cycles.

I won't be in the hellhole of my job surrounded by people I don't get along with much longer.

Knowing that I am going to be a mom keeps me alive.