MetaChat - "Strange is our situation here upon earth.

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17 December 2007

"Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: That we are here for the sake of others...for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day, I realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received." (Albert Einstein)

post by: occhiblu at: 13:32 | 12 comments

Just saw that and liked it, and wanted to share.

posted by occhiblu 17 December | 13:32

Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose.

Believing that there is any 'purpose' to my existence is just to dreadful a thought to contemplate. That would mean that all the stupid shit that's occured in my life is happening for a reason.

posted by jonmc 17 December | 13:40

Thanks, occhi - that was good.

Jonmc, your divine purpose is to tell us stories and give us snapshot-snowglobe visions made of twisty little vignettes that make us laugh and think.

posted by taz 17 December | 13:48

I thought it was to serve as a warning to others.

posted by jonmc 17 December | 13:50

The latter is a byproduct of the former. :)

posted by tr33hggr 17 December | 14:06

That would mean that all the stupid shit that's occured in my life is happening for a reason.

When I look at MY stupid stuff, I have to believe it's for a reason, or go mad.

posted by bunnyfire 17 December | 14:15

Yup, I'm not seeing any divine purpose to mine, so I'm making purposes up as I go.

posted by small_ruminant 17 December | 14:26

And when I look at all my stupid stuff, I have to believe that what's out of my control is pure dumb luck, or go mad.

I like that we've each worked out our own rough philosophies, though! Cheers, bunnyfire!

posted by Elsa 17 December | 14:30

Reminds me of The Little Prince. Watch out for the baobabs.

≡ Click to see image ≡

posted by Pips 17 December | 15:00

Occhi, thanks for that. I fervently believe this to be true. What is exhausting as I get older is the number of people who want to show me how naive I am.

posted by Wilder 17 December | 15:29

What a perfect way of putting it, Wilder. Yes.

posted by occhiblu 17 December | 15:41

how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received.

How very blessed I am has been weighing heavily on my mind the past few weeks. Read an article the other day about people in NYC who don't have heat, or hot water. Makes me want to say a prayer and buy a gift for my caring, attentive landlord.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 17 December | 15:52

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