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Sunday, January 18, 2015

WHAT IS LIFE?



Willam Shakespeare in Macbeth says

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.


On the other hand George Bernard Shaw  wrote





We are born in this world, we live and we die.  When we are young we think we will never die and when we are old the thought of death constantly nags us. When we are young we are strong and energetic but when we are old we become weak and we need help. We are born, we grow, we study, we marry, we have children and we are the centre of attraction for many years and after some years children grow up, stand on their own feet and go their way to make a life for themselves leaving us to fend for ourselves.  When we are young we work hard, save money for old age and in the old age we spend  the money  saved not for enjoyment but for medicines and hospital bills. When we are young we are daring and reckless but when we are old we become cautious and careful.  When we are born we have our parents to take care of us but when we are old we often find ourselves lonely with no one to care for us. Human beings are superior to animals but in the end we also die and vanish like animals.



These are some of the thoughts that came to my mind as I was walking today pondering about life. These observations are not based on religion or theology or philosophy.


I am sure you have some thoughts on this. Best wishes.

22 comments:

  1. amen on the feeling of ingratitude...forgive me please....
    i wonder if there is not a happy medium between our fear and ignorance of death
    where life is truly .....

    happy sunday my friend

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  2. Very true and deep points to ponder. We come alone in this world and leave alone, but may be through our good deeds and karma, we can leave behind our trail.................

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  3. These are indeed very deep thoughts. Life is a gift we have, I'm not sure what happens afterwards. I feel very fortunate much of the time. I wish I could give more to others...

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  4. I feel we are responsible for bringing our children to this earth, and we should realize that however, much we may want our children to be with us, to love us, and support us,we are wrong in expecting those things from our children.
    Now a days children are so matured in their thinking, that we can surely learn a few things from them. They feel that they neither have the time, nor the proper care to give to kids, nor the relevant support system, so they choose not have any kids. I can understand their point of view, and fully support their thinking in this manner, for life today is not what it was years ago. It takes so much effort to finish their studies, and then settle in some good job, and then finally getting married to an equally busy wife.... time just flew past them they are too old by the time they can even think of being responsible parents.
    Plus, they have realized that they have come alone to this world and would leave alone from this world, so the question of having children to support them in their old age does not even arise for them.
    They want to achieve their goals and be happy and free for the rest of their lives. I feel they deserve it if that is what they choose, and we as parents can support them and feel happy that they are not doing the mistakes we did in our lifetime.
    Life is always changing, and we should also change our thoughts according to the changing times, for there is really no right or wrong in anything.

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  5. I'm more inclined to go with Shakespeare on this one, and I really wonder how old Shaw was when he wrote what he wrote. At one time, I might have written it myself, but now, life seems pointless in the big picture no matter how great its rewards on a micro level.

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  6. I thought about it sometimes, but you put it in words. Yes, strange this life is but we must go through it I believe with positive insight to enjoy life:)

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  7. You. have mirrored the thoughts of old age very well.

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  8. Joseph, thanks for sharing this, I agree.

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  9. I agree with all your thoughts and meditations. I would add that life is a beautiful process. How do we make it beautiful? Sometimes by agency and sometimes by chance. But above all we need to take full advantage of the opportunities available to us. Carpe Diem, every day! :-)

    Greetings from London.

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  10. Life is all about living for the moment... I dont know what future holds for me.. But I know that I can enjoy my present!

    Death need not befriend us only in oldage! It can happen anytime...

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  11. Hi Joseph. I thought I commented but am not sure it went through. What I said was that I live "one day at a time" and that works well for me at this time of my life.

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  12. Macbeth lived in a bleak world borne out of his selfish endeavors so it's no surprise his thoughts and soliloquy were are dark. One wishes that people would perceive life more along Shaw's thoughts than this particular Shakespearean character. Unfortunately, life isn't a walk in the park. There are people wrapped up in singular grief and the compulsion to be pessimists. Isn't it sad?

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  13. Life is too deep to fathom if you try to explain it philosophically. It's so mysterious really. I just know that we all have a purpose why we've been given this gift.

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  14. Life is indeed very brief...and often quite tragic but it is only by facing its tragedies that we can truly live.

    http://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/

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  15. Thank you Joseph, for visiting my blog and also for your kind comments.

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  16. Very interesting. I'm young and still on the search of my purpose in life. Most of the times I weep because of pain or confusion. My life is a puzzle and mostly I don't know where to find the pieces. But a little hope in me keeps me going.
    Thanks for the information Joseph :) following you now..looking forward to hear from you again <3

    love lots,
    TIn

    mypoeticisolation.blogspot.com

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  17. We don't know what life has to offer, but we can certainly make the most of the opportunities ... very true words :-)

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  18. Ah yes, it's very natural for people to think these thoughts. But although we all will die like the animals, we are different in that we have had eternity implanted in our souls. And we know that God loves us and wants us to honour Him in our lives ... and that gives us hope for eternity.

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