The Meaning of Life... As I See It

Assignment Two October 7 - October 11My Life As I Wished I Lived It (or carpe diem)
At the end of life, how will your life be judged?
"Don't ask why. It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time."
Consider the things that you feel make life worthwhile and valuable. A) List five things you will want to possess or have experienced when you reach the end of your life (whenever that may be). B) Discuss why each of these things (or ideals or ideas) is important to you personally. C) Discuss how each of these things (or ideals or ideas) is valuable to humanity.

The meaning of life is as heavy a topic as any that could be discussed. The most we can do is to think on our own personal reasons and theories, and share those thoughts with others.
Everyone has his or her own reasons for living; those who don’t either don’t enjoy life or don’t continue to live, I suppose. Wow, that’s pretty grim. However, there are plenty of things that make life worthwhile. Friends and family give us reasons to roll out of bed in the morning, as do jobs and commitments, though those things are not always as enjoyable. For some, things like art and music give value to life. For others, the simple knowledge that a new day brimming with possibilities awaits is enough. There can be an infinite number of reasons for living our lives, but in an overwhelming number of cases, the reason involves a love for something: love of family, love of creativity, love of spontaneity, love of renown. In general, we consider our lives fulfilled if we accomplish or possess something we love or desire.
Five things I want to have achieved, possessed, or experienced by the time I go? Hmmm......

1) I want to have written a book. A novel, a tome, a book of essays, poems, short stories, any book of some importance. A rather scholarly work, I think, something that requires deep thought and insight. Or something viciously imaginative and creative. Who knows? I simply love writing, and want to put my overflowing thoughts down onto paper for someone else to read. Who wouldn’t want to be remembered, to put forth a record of some sort in one’s own words for the later generations to (hopefully) appreciate?

2) To be in a band. More of an ensemble, maybe. Something between a small orchestra and a rock band. The Bell Orchestre comes to mind. I love music, have months’ and months’ worth piling up in my iPod. It would be lovely to be able to compose and perform something, especially with all the talent our local musicians possess. Because of the fact that I am usually an incredibly shy and reserved person, it would be quite an experience to be the center of a whole lot of attention for once.

3) To play Chopin’s Polonaise No. 3 in A, Op. 40, No. 1- “Military” on a grand piano, and to play it flawlessly. This is similar to “thing I want to do in my life” number two, but not at all the same. “Military” is a very nice piece, and I can’t imagine trying to actually play it. But what an awesome experience it would be to hammer that song out on a grand piano! The playing of the song alone would be a feat, but to play it perfectly? Jaws would drop, and that’s what I want to cause...

4) To find and marry my soul mate. It’s a cliché, yes, but even the anti-social want to find that special someone and stay with that person forever and be sweet and in love. I want most of the stereotype: to find someone smart and sweet, who will love me no matter what, but who won’t take any of my crap. Someone to keep my company but give me space, someone to grow old with. In short, I want to find someone to love, whom I can be with while carrying out all the other things on my list of “things I want to do in my life.”

5) To get into an all-out fistfight with someone bigger, stronger, and tougher than I am (not difficult to find) and win. As in to clobber someone. This is an incredibly selfish (and violent) goal, if such a thing can even be considered a goal. However, we each try to prove ourselves in various ways, to compensate for our shortcomings. I love being perceived as the little, sweet, innocent girl who would never intentionally hurt or offend anyone, and I hope to continue to be that type of person. However, just once I would like to take my thoughts and emotions and turn them into action, to face an adversary and let my tiny fists fly! Metaphorically speaking, I would wield my slingshot (fist) against Goliath (aforementioned tough person) and emerge victorious! It’s a matter of personal pride, a small need to prove to myself that I’m tougher than I think I am.
I see this has become somewhat of a wish-list, but then again, what is life but the pursuit of our desires? Don’t we all spend the majority of our lives searching for happiness, striving to reach our goals and create the lives that will bring us comfort and contentment? We organize our days and years by what we hope to achieve, and measure our success by how many things we have accomplished and gained. We are each constantly obtaining the things we desire, yet the wish-list never shortens; with each accomplished goal, we add yet another to the pantheon. We keep the list growing, and maybe that is the answer: we are happy only when we are working towards something; the anticipation of that success and happiness keeps us going. Our true contentment and purpose in life lies in the journey to our goals and desires. Life is the pursuit of happiness.