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I want to live my life in such a way as to not just be another useless asshole... (Original Post) nomorenomore08 Jan 2014 OP
Kind of. But I don't think people are useless, on the whole. nolabear Jan 2014 #1
Hey Nolabear. Funny you should say that. Marie Marie Jan 2014 #6
Nope. JVS Jan 2014 #2
Totally understand. nt LumosMaxima Jan 2014 #3
Not really, but... femmocrat Jan 2014 #4
I just want to be happy... Locut0s Jan 2014 #5
Yeah, being happy probably is more important than being "useful" when you get down to it. nomorenomore08 Jan 2014 #7
Being happy IS useful. Wait Wut Jan 2014 #14
yeah somewhat Joe Shlabotnik Jan 2014 #8
Excellent In_The_Wind Jan 2014 #9
Posting in the Lounge is a good start. rug Jan 2014 #10
Touche! nomorenomore08 Jan 2014 #13
But if your were a USEFUL asshole.... MicaelS Jan 2014 #11
I suppose. Lesser of two evils and all that. nomorenomore08 Jan 2014 #12
You're not a useless asshole KamaAina Jan 2014 #15
Yes. MerryBlooms Jan 2014 #16
"A spring in your step, smile on your face, a kind word, and a song in your heart." nomorenomore08 Jan 2014 #18
It certainly is. MerryBlooms Jan 2014 #20
I wish more people thought like you! LongTomH Jan 2014 #17
Back atcha! nomorenomore08 Jan 2014 #19
i feel that way, too fizzgig Jan 2014 #21
The importance of being useless struggle4progress Jan 2014 #22

nolabear

(41,915 posts)
1. Kind of. But I don't think people are useless, on the whole.
Thu Jan 16, 2014, 10:50 PM
Jan 2014

I do know what it means to want to do something that has a sense of importance and meaning, to feel as if it matters that you were here. And I'm fairly okay with my life so far. I've done some good and I still hope to do some more. And I have a couple of sons, which is remarkably like having another chance.

Anything in particular you want to do?

Marie Marie

(9,999 posts)
6. Hey Nolabear. Funny you should say that.
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 12:40 AM
Jan 2014

Came across this recently and it became my mantra: Find where you matter.

femmocrat

(28,394 posts)
4. Not really, but...
Thu Jan 16, 2014, 11:12 PM
Jan 2014

It is your life and you can do whatever you choose to do with it.



“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

― Mahatma Gandhi

Locut0s

(6,154 posts)
5. I just want to be happy...
Thu Jan 16, 2014, 11:42 PM
Jan 2014

Happy or contented at least, and comfortable in my own skin.

Not sure I'll ever reach this goal.

nomorenomore08

(13,324 posts)
7. Yeah, being happy probably is more important than being "useful" when you get down to it.
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 04:29 AM
Jan 2014

But either one is pretty subjective, so...

Wait Wut

(8,492 posts)
14. Being happy IS useful.
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 07:46 PM
Jan 2014

When you're happy, you enrich other's lives, as well. You have no idea what a simple smile can do for someone that needs it...even a stranger you pass on the street.

Being kind, compassionate and happy are gifts to the world.

So, get out there and be special.

Joe Shlabotnik

(5,604 posts)
8. yeah somewhat
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 06:11 AM
Jan 2014

I don't want to exploit, coerce or consume one ounce more than I need to survive. I try to be as mindful as possible.

MerryBlooms

(11,728 posts)
16. Yes.
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 08:05 PM
Jan 2014

Trying to be a blessing/bright spot in life is a righteous/worthy goal. You never know how just one kind word from you can change a person's day or life.

A spring in your step, smile on your face, a kind word, and a song in your heart.

It's not always easy.

nomorenomore08

(13,324 posts)
18. "A spring in your step, smile on your face, a kind word, and a song in your heart."
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 08:14 PM
Jan 2014

I can manage the third, and maybe the second. Better than nothing.

MerryBlooms

(11,728 posts)
20. It certainly is.
Fri Jan 17, 2014, 08:24 PM
Jan 2014

Even just a kind word and addressing someone by their name on their name tag... it really is the little things on most days. You just never know. It's as easy to make someone's day as it is to break it.

struggle4progress

(118,039 posts)
22. The importance of being useless
Sat Jan 18, 2014, 02:42 AM
Jan 2014

Walking along the road to Ch'i, the master carpenter Shih stopped beside an old oak, spreading its branches everywhere

Shih looked at it and thought, What a useless tree! The branches are too gnarled for rafters; the grain is coarse and would split wherever touched by a tool; one can't build with it because the trunk is full of knots. Nothing good can be done with it!

Chi fell asleep in the shade there, and the tree appeared in his dream: Had I been a fruit tree, I would have been torn apart every spring, with my limbs broken off. Had I grown straight and tall, I would have been hacked into boards long ago. But for a long time now, I have been striving to be useless. And since I am not useful to others, no one makes my life miserable: birds come sing in my branches; meeting the clouds and rain, I can enjoy whatever years are given to me

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