I read about loss of purpose. I also read about the value of gratitude.
I suppose I could spend too much time and energy having the purpose of being grateful. I could thank my mom and dad for making me. Reflecting on the need for a mom and a dad, I could be thankful that my grandparents made my parents. Sure I could be thankful that my greatgrandparents, all 8 of them, spent the time and effort to make my grandparents but this looks like an ever-enlarging burden. I will just pull the human language trick of using more general language and keep a tiny place in my heart for permanent gratitude to all my ancestors, including the blue-green algae and the cockroaches. I am related to all of life!
The feeling of being lost and confused is one that has been expressed very fully over and over. I often enjoy reading the Bible chapter Ecclesiastes. It is so down. "Vanity of vanities, …all is vanity." We are not talking here about thinking I am the handsomest dude around. No, a much bigger cloud than that: living, eating, breathing, being good, loving and accepting love - this preacher says it is all pointless! But, Preach, think about this: I, me, myself, yours truly, LIKES life. I am not focusing on purpose or goal, I am just ENJOYING!
You may have read of Shakespeare's MacBeth:
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
Just a sec, there, Buddy. First, I am no idiot! I even know my multiplication tables! My brain (and yours) is a very impressive organ that controls a complex, stunning bod! So, stash the blues.
