Keep On Keeping On

When you’re old and full of aches and pains, why do you keep pushing yourself to “Keep Going?”

This question is on the lips of many pensioners.

There is a theory that finding a meaning to life is man’s primary motivation in life and the reason to keep going.

The answers to the question:

First: the love for one’s loved ones to tie to.

Second: a talent to be used.

Third: Memories worth preserving plus to care for a loved one.

To be there for them, your presence is important.

 

This is the challenge of the meaning theory to weave these threads into a pattern of meaning.

The central theme of existentialism is:

To live is to suffer.

To survive is to find meaning in spite of the suffering.

If there is a purpose in life at all, there must be a purpose in suffering.

But nobody can tell another what this purpose is. Each must find out for themselves.

If the person succeeds in finding the meaning, they will continue to grow.

 

HE WHO HAS A “WHY” TO LIVE CAN BEAR ALMOST ANY “HOW”.

 

Even in the worst circumstances, the human freedom of the ability to choose one’s attitude toward those circumstances remains.

PEOPLE CAN RISE ABOVE THEIR OUTWARD FATE!

We have to awaken to the fact that we are RESPONSIBLE TO LIFE FOR SOMETHING, however grim the circumstances may be.

People can find meaning in creative work.

A passive life of enjoyment gives you fulfilment in art or nature.

But there is also purpose in a life barren of both creation and enjoyment, namely, a person’s attitude to his existence, an existence restricted and limited by external forces.

There also is meaning in suffering!

Hard to believe but true!

The way in which a person ACCEPTS their dire circumstances, and all the suffering it entails, the way they take up their cross, gives them an opportunity to add deeper meaning to their life.

This ACCEPTANCE is proof that man’s inner strength may raise him above his outward fate.

Life means taking responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfil the tasks necessary to fulfil it.

When a person finds themselves in a bad situation that can’t be changed, they know they are going to suffer, so they will have to accept their suffering as their task.

No one can relieve them of their suffering or suffer in their place.

Their unique opportunity lies in the way in which they bear their burden.

 

When you are facing an uncontrollable situation, you start to despair and think to yourself that you have nothing more to expect from life.

But you have to realise that life is still expecting something from you; something in the future is expected of you.

When you become conscious of the responsibility you bear toward a loved one who needs your caring presence, or to your unfinished work, you will never be able to throw away your life.

Because you now know the WHY for your existence and you will be able to bear any HOW.

 

THAT WHICH DOES NOT KILL ME, MAKES ME STRONGER!

 

You cannot lose hope and give up on life.

For no person knows what the future will bring.

Human life under any circumstances still has meaning!

The meaning of life differs from person to person, day to day, hour to hour.

What matters is NOT the meaning in general BUT the specific meaning of a person’s life at any given moment.

Every situation in life represents a challenge to man and presents a problem for him to solve.

Your meaning in life always CHANGES, but never ceases to be.

 

We discover our meaning in life in 3 different ways:

By creating a work or doing a deed, achievement and accomplishment.

By experiencing something or encountering someone.

By the attitude we take toward “unavoidable suffering”.

When we can’t change a situation, we are challenged to CHANGE OURSELVES, to change our thinking about the situation.

HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO SAY “YES” TO LIFE IN SPITE OF PAIN, ILLNESS AND DEATH?

By accepting your circumstances completely.

You have to make the BEST of any given situation.

You can cope with suffering!

JUST AS LIFE REMAINS MEANINGFUL UNDER ANY CONDITIONS, SO TOO DOES THE VALUE OF EACH PERSON STAY WITH THEM, AND IT DOES SO BECAUSE IT IS BASED ON THE VALUES THAT HE OR SHE HAS REALISED IN THE PAST, AND ISN’T CONTINGENT ON THE USEFULNESS THAT THEY MAY OR MAY NOT RETAIN IN THE PRESENT.

 

TO SUM UP:

Is it possible to find meaning in old age?

Yes, it is.

Through helping others to cope by caring for a loved one for example.

Being there for them.Your presence is needed.

Plus:

Informing and entertaining others through blogs.

 

 

 

6 thoughts on “Keep On Keeping On

  1. In the morning say to yourself;
    “I have been given another day to live, it’s and invitation to live in the present as fully as we possibly can.
    So take a few deep breaths, and feel what it is to be ALIVE at this moment.
    Your older self has traversed the plight of our human existence.
    What you have ahead of you now is MORE NOWS.
    It’s time to just allow yourself to be HERE. In the NOW.
    That’s all there is, or ever was, so let it be and let go.

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