I thought I would go with an easy topic this week ;-)
So, for me, the purpose of life is…
In case you can’t read my handwriting, it says:
To: create value, and to
connect with, and give that value to others,
in order to foster evolution.
I’ll explain.
When I talk about value I mean: anything that adds life. Value can be in anything that you create, do, or are. It could be something you make with your hands, it could be a piece of art, it could be a meal, it could be a house; but it could just as easily be a feeling that you create within yourself and then share, or an act of kindness towards yourself or another. It could be telling the truth, it could be holding someones hand, it could be creating the 8th wonder of the world.
But creating value in a vacuum is empty. To share the value that you have created with others results in a far greater and deeper happiness than creating value alone.
Happiness is not the same as pleasure. Pleasure is generally momentary, and generally serves only the person partaking in it. It is not lasting, nor does it necessarily benefit others (unless it holds value). Happiness is a different feeling. It is hard to pin down with language, but we all know it when we feel it.
Now, I make no claim to knowing How Things Are, or Absolute Truth, or any of that. This is simply an idea which I have found to be true in my life, and I offer it in case it has any value in yours. If not, no biggie ;-)
And, on an entirely related subject:
the record is coming along very, very well.
Soon, soon soon.
[40 days till album release]
My name is James Radcliffe and I am a 100% audience supported independent artist. If you like what I do (and can afford it) then please consider buying some of my music. Each purchase really makes a big difference to me and 10% of every sale goes to a charity which: houses, feeds, clothes, and educates orphaned children in Nepal.
Also, every month I send out a newsletter packed with Interesting and Exclusive Things. If you sign up today you’ll also get 3 FREE tracks of my music as a welcome gift.
And lastly, if you’d like to find out what I’m up to on a more day-to-day basis then here is my brain on Twitter:
I couldn’t agree more with you!Great article,love the way you write by the way :)
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Thankyou, that’s a really great compliment!
Hope you are well,
– J
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I truly love this share. This came to me at the time when I asked for this.
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I’m glad ;-) Thanks for connecting, hope you are well and have the happy.
– J
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Reblogged this on l e m o n s.
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Thanks for re-blogging this, it’s good to connect with you.
Hope you are well,
– J
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James, this is power… I echo your sentiments & I look forward to joining you on this journey. Happiness & Pleasure are cousins, but two separate entities and it is incumbent on us to make that distinction. Thank you for writing this!
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You are very welcome. I fully agree with your sentiments.
Good luck with the book my friend, how is it going?
Be well.
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It is coming along well James, I’ve stopped allowed life to get in the way of it.
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That is really good to hear.
Best wishes to you my friend,
– J
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The way you discuss happy vs pleasure is how I think of happiness vs contentment. Personally, I think of happiness as more of a peak… “I’ll be so happy when”,.However being content is a goal for day to day… Just my thoughts :-)
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That’s really interesting.
You know, we probably mean pretty much the same thing, we’re just languaging it differently. I guess the peak for me would be joy, or ecstacy.
Thanks for sharing, if you have any more, feel free to keep it coming.
– J
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Definitely agree…isn’t it interesting the way each individual finds a goal or hope in just one emotion/word?
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It really is.
I wonder how much is lost or created in translation. Tough to know. I guess that’s why we prize good writers.
– J
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:-) Indeed!
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Awww, thanks! I will definitely keep both of those suggestions in mind! Nice to be connected to you! :-)
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Feeling’s totally mutual.
If you dig in to either of those two, let me know ;-)
– J
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Ok, sure thing! ;-)
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;-)
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I totally agree. I really enjoyed your insight.
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Thankyou my friend, I really appreciate it.
– J
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The purpose of life is to find one’s own purpose in life
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That’s very meta.
Surely tho, once you’ve found it, you should do it? And, in that doing, you’ll generally find some kind of value creation…. ;-)
Thanks for stopping by,
-J
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Lovely thoughts expressed in this post. I agree that finding or creating and then sharing that value is important. Thank you for putting this out there.
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Thankyou Toadstool girl ;-)
I like your dream board. x
– J
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Thanks! Glad you liked it.
Signed~ Toadstool girl xx
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I love it. Very insightful and simply written. Thanks for sharing with us. :-)
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Thanks for connecting ;-)
If you are still wanting some stimulation, I would try either: the music of Zoe Keating, or, if you are ready for a harrowing but heartbreakingly beautiful read, you could check out ‘The Road’, by Cormac McCarthy.
And thanks for your beautiful words,
-J
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