In Inches, In Miles, In Laughter, In Strife?
How do you measure the greatness of a man*?
Is it in the things he does, the ideas he believes in, the love for/of those around him?
Maybe it's how he changes the world... or changes the lives of those he's close to.
Or the joy and laughter he brings to others. The works he performs or his success in a chosen profession. Maybe it's money. Maybe it's the beauty he contributes to life. Possibly the respect he inspires or shows to others.
Everybody's got their own yardstick, and I'd hazard a guess that no two people share exactly the same one. If you're reading this, whether you comment every day or have never shared a word, I'd like to know your thoughts.
What's truly important for someone to pursue in life?
*or woman
21 comments:
I think that we should all strive to simply live a good life, to do more good than harm, and to leave people better for knowing us. I don't fear being forgotten, I just don't want to be remembered for casuing pain. If I can do that in my life, than I think I've done well. The rest, is really, just details.
I think that at least once in every persons life, he or she should put someone else's needs ahead of his or her own desires.
Too often we hear people talking about pursing their dreams at all costs, and there's something in that idea that teeters on selfishness. I know when I think back on the people who most influenced my life-- relatives, teachers, a minister, friends and boyfriends-- every one of them at least once did something that indicated they were willing to make my happiness and security a priority, even if it meant that they wouldn't have the money or time or energy to do exactly whatever else they wanted in that moment. That kind of generosity and selflessness doesn't get recognized enough, and I know it's something I aspire to live by.
Joy. Unabashed, unstopable, heartwrenching, joy. Those moments in life that take your breath away and leave you smiling. They're few and far between but they're what keeps me going.
A man/woman who can live his life and reach the end saying, "I had joy" is a successful man.
A good friend of mine wants to be a benevolent cult leader, which sounds pretty cool.
But as someone who isn't sure yet what will make her happy, the most specific I can get is to try to improve both one's own life and the lives of others, even if it's only in some small way.
i agree with both inowpronounceyou and jo: one's success in life is how much joy they contributed to the world, both their own and that which they helped others to find.
"What's truly important for someone to pursue in life?"
Whatever makes the person happy. One shoe doesn't fit all. If you value money, make the most you can. If you value professional success, achieve as much as you can. If you value family, do whatever it takes to make your loved ones' lives as fulfilled as possible.
You will never be happy if you are chasing someone else's yardstick. You have to select your own.
"What's truly important for someone to pursue in life?"
you... hehehe
Anon -- I know what's important to me, and those are the things I pursue. I wanted to hear other people's perspectives, though.
Everyone Else -- Those are all good viewpoints. Keep'em coming. I'm interested to see what we all find important and what's a big deal to some, but not others. Consider it an experiment. :-)
"I know what's important to me, and those are the things I pursue. I wanted to hear other people's perspectives, though."
Then you should have asked "What do you think is truly important for you to pursue in your life?"
For me, it is important to bring joy to others, in whatever form that may take. When I bring joy to others, I get double the joy they do. There's nothing better than making others happy. I love being in love... and love can be so many things! :-)
I think the measure of a man can be measured when you look at how many lives he's changed for the better.
When my best friend's father died, the line outside the funeral home was ridiculous and the funeral mass itself was packed to overflowing. People flew in from all over the world to pay their respects. He wasn't a man of great importance in the eyes of the world, but he was important to his family and friends.
I hope that when I die it's evident to everyone that I changed the life of those around me.
SIGH. BLECH. You knew eventually I'd make some snide comment. I want to go the obvious route, but even a Bitch gets tired. Before I melt from schmoopiness....I am going to bed...
The most important thing I look for in a significant other is someone who's going to challenge me. I mean that person who thinks in a different way than you do. It give a spice and excitement to life that although you two may know each other intimately, you are still able to be surprised. It's also important to have someone who thinks on the same playing field as you (or above). Years from now when your looks are gone and you're no longer working or validated by work/job, it's good to know that you can still talk to someone and have a good, exciting conversation.
Generosity is a measure of greatness - is this person generous with their time, emotions and means.
I think it's important to pursue those things we are passionate about. And our dreams.
"Whatever makes the person happy" isn't a philosophy that can be used practically. It carries the hidden assumption that the person is decent and thoughtful and to some extent omnipotent and able to predict the future.
How often do we do something for some short term happiness only to pay for it in unexpected ways later.
Or to use an extreme example, serial killers derive happiness from killing others...
My personal take is twofold.
(1) Try to leave the world a better place...
(2) Don't expect anything...
... but I don't think that that is any more practical of a philosophy...
*shrug*
The most important thing I look for in another is reciprocity. Give and take- in life, in love, and with friends. Who wants a pushover or a bully? When someone gives back what you give to them it makes you and them feel good.
I give you props for your post title. "Rent" is one of my favorite musicals.
For me it would be being content with myself and my life. That would be perfection.
Everyone should pursue their passions and show others the same love and respect as they would want to be shown.
I have three things I use.
First, I try to give a situation a "death-bed" litmus test: would it matter to me on my deathbed?
Second, I like the other idea mentioned before about having a lot of people thinking you were so meaningful, they would go to your funeral. I've often thought about that. (Am I morbid today?)
Third, I try to live with passion and not fear. Is love driving my decision, or fear?
Wow, and I wrote all of this before my first coffee.
for someone to pursue in life? maybe success in emerson's terms...
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