Why are we here? This question and my answer is what I believe.
“If I have been able to see farther than others, it was because I stood on the shoulders of giants,” said Sir Isaac Newton. This, I, too, believe. I think I have advanced myself through reading, learning, listening, and all means of education. And just plain paying attention. Believe me, I needed a lot of this, as I started out pretty sparse in the knowledge department.
Learning knowledge and wisdom is what I am here for, and so I believe we all are, using myself as a yardstick. Teaching, as well. In fact, between two people, each is both teacher and student to each other, no matter our education level or age.
I see life as a river, a very long river full of people who are alive, swimming along. We enter this river when we are born, and get out of the river when we die. We swim beside people, and then see them leave the river, and see new people get in. I can physically see this like a movie in my mind, I have thought about it so long now. The river is ever flowing. It is very sad to lose the sweet people with whom we have shared this river of life. We are ahead of some people and behind some others. Life (and death) is the hardest thing to reconcile of all the mysteries of the unknown, I think. A person has to have a way of thinking about it – to simplify something so inexplicable, our reasons for being here.
By the time most of us are leaving this river, we have learned just how precious life is – our families, friends and our own life. We have learned to love so many things with such a passion that it actually hurts -things like the beauty of nature, art (music, photography, and all art forms), knowledge, wisdom, humanity and all living things. We have learned to grow, and feel the need to learn more and share what we have learned with others. There is such a beauty in learning – all new things seem like brain candy. The more I learn, the more I want to learn.
I see all of us as totally connected. No, more than connected – one thing, really. We all strive for answers to the mysteries of life by means scientific, philosophic, spiritualistic, and any other means available to us.
I see our purpose being to improve our quality of life. Learning that we are all one thing. I see us learning to lose negative thoughts altogether, living with only the positive thinking processes. And laughing laughing laughing.
I see us living like the Indians with decisions being made for the good of the future of our children. “Every decision we make relates to the welfare and well-being of the seventh generation to come and that is the basis by which we make decisions in council. We consider: Will this be to the benefit of the seventh generation? This is the guideline.” (Iroquois Chief)
I am not the same person I was when I stepped in the river. The river has improved me. Each lovely person I have come in contact with has given me so much, and I have selfishly kept it as part of me. Maybe that awesome goodness you derive from learning and from people become part of the river itself.
Learning, laughing and loving, to me sums up what I believe our reason to live must be. This keeps the whole river flowing to the right path.