[475] in Depressing_Thoughts
Re: Beyond Depression
amgreene@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (amgreene@ATHENA.MIT.EDU)
Sun Oct 23 22:27:10 1988
I suggested the "helping others" stuff on the assumptions (which I
stated) that that answer was intended to address the case "adding
meaning to *your* life." That is, one's purpose in life is just
what one chooses it to be. It doesn't have to be "laudable" or
"ethically correct," but it does have to be something that that
person chooses to do with his (or her) life.
I, after much soul-searching, decided that life must have a purpose,
but that it was up to each of us to find our own purpose. Some of
us find that in religion, some of us find it through altruism (not
necessarily religious), some of us find it through hedonism, some
of us never find it. If you cannot find a purpose to life outside
yourself, and you seem fairly sure that you won't (and, again, I
can't argue with you about that), then find a purpose within yourself.
One more thought --- once you have decided on a purpose, don't feel
that you have to stick with it. Life has got to be a continuous
process of change.
Good luck in your search. ANd if you come up with anything, let
me know. I'm still closing in on it.
