by shamus 25 Replies latest jw experiences
When Grandchildren burst through the front door full of energy on a grey, drab, November day then I know life is worth living.
Isn't that the truth?? One of my grandsons will run in the house, hug me tight and say "grandma I missed you" and he may have seen me the day before. They are all so great.
What makes life worthwhile for me is definitely my family, including my husband, because as Simon said "they are a package". We have a great life and an incredible family. 
My husband and kids
The sun rising in the morning
The moon rising high at night
The smile of a little girl (my daughter) when she is really happy
Having my sons tell me I am a "cool" Mum
Hearing birds chirp in the morning
Yelling at the dog cause she is chasing them
Feeling happy inside when you have a friend call or visit out of the blue
Ok, I will stop here, I could go on and on,
Diana
shamus, we sure seem to have a lot in common -
we're about the same age,
we both are converted-to-it, not raised-in-it, ex-jw's
We both struggle occasionally with depression, despair, and suicidal feelings
We both have a sister who is a big part of our life, along with nieces and nephews
For me lately, what has been keeping me going is watching a lot of great movies that really challenge me (like I watched American Beauty last night, also saw The Believer and Mulholland Drive recently), and reading books for the same reason. There is much beauty and much that is painful and dreadful in the world, just don't get caught up looking at only one or the other. Totally accepting that we are limited, mortal creatures with an uncertain future living in a complex and difficult world goes a long way towards fending off total despair, at least for me anyway.
One day at a time...
A Life Worth Living
I have lost all,
but then I gained.
I have felt great pain,
but I have learned.
I have walked the path of despair,
and learned my destiny is in my own hands.
I have been alone,
and found inner peace.
I have been trapped.
but I set myself free.
I have planned my death,
but I found hope.
To love, to learn,
to smile again, to dream.
Hope, love and freedom
to create a life worth living.
The simple things make life worth living, the things we often take for granted, such as waking up beside someone you love in the middle of the night, watching their peaceful face as they sleep, and just listening to them breathe.
Walter
((((Shamus)))) -- I had no idea you had thoughts like that.
((((DanTheMan)))) -- Likewise.
I have pretty much been down in the dumps myself lately. For a while everynight I was silently whispering, "I hope I don't wake up tomorrow". It was so hard I was so stressed. Everyday seemed to add another stressful thing to my list of things to accomplish before the end of this semester. I just wanted to sleep for a week straight. Sadly that was not an option.
I don't think I am over my funk at the point. However, everyday there has always been one thing that made me laugh. Actually being in the class was a huge help. While sometimes I had to wrestle with getting the 9th graders under control, at least once a day some student would make me laugh, or thank me for the help I gave them. I just had to/have to hold on to those moments.
Honestly--the only thing that gets me through is laughter. At myself, at life, and surrounding myself with people who I can make laugh and who make me laugh. IT's during those bursts of laughter I don't have time to think about sleeping. Relishing those moments is sometimes the only thing that keeps me going.
I like to make my life a string or series of pleasant experiences. That's all. That makes it worth living and rich. I appreciate (try to) them all.
Pat
True friends, watching some things change for the better in the world, and the rare moments when my cat is actually affectionate.
What makes life woth living for me.....?
...being able to play with myself and not feel guilty about it!. Just kiddin shamus.
I am like yourself. I get depressed at times and nothing makes life intresting at that point.
Being the confused, wonder why i'm here, and wonder where i'm going kinda guy I am, .......life has become a "need to hurry and find out these answers before I die" kinda deal. When you can't figure out what lifes all about....it makes it hard to enjoy 100%,.... for me anyway. If my family didn't shun me, and I could have a life with my grandkids, then maybe I would see life different.....I don't know.
Gumby
In the new matrix movie one of the lines says the purpose of living is to die - at least thats what I remember.
