33 replies to this topic

[Jsec64]

Where do I start ???

Just feel that over the last month no matter what - something continually happens to test my patience, finances and metal. Everything just seems to be a struggle, whether its day to day chores of getting ready, clearing up or financial issues that we have havent planned for.

I regard myself as a relatively stong character but I am starting to question my own sanity. I have a loving family which means the world to me but Jesus the world sometimes just tries to continually knock the crap out of you.

Am I alone here or what ?

[Quad65]

Yes, I've gone through periods where I feel really dumped on by circumstances. It almost gets comical after a while, like what else could possibly go wrong? It all tends to even out over time.

[E-DOG]

Yo, Dude!
Welcome to the club!

E

[fatdave]

man, like e-dog said, welcome to the club. its like taking 2 steps forward and one step back. or in some cases 2 forward, 4 back.

i dont have a loving family other than my fiance and son. so feel blessed by that

[evilmac64]

Isnt that what life is one kick in the gut after anuther.

[longhaul]

The Tolecs of Mexico believed that the Gods had a sense of humor and no matter how bad their lives got they had to laugh because if they didn't it would be an insult to the Gods. Your kid dies, laugh get your arm cut off, laugh etc. For some reason that has stuck in my mind over the years and when it starts raining shit I think of the Toltecs and their hilarious Gods. Yes Sir I'm laughing no really see................

[Jsec64]

Laughing Uncontrolably here......no really....NOT!!!!

[Kwag_Myers]

longhaul, on Aug 14 2008, 01:30 AM, said:

The Tolecs of Mexico believed that the Gods had a sense of humor and no matter how bad their lives got they had to laugh because if they didn't it would be an insult to the Gods. Your kid dies, laugh get your arm cut off, laugh etc. For some reason that has stuck in my mind over the years and when it starts raining shit I think of the Toltecs and their hilarious Gods. Yes Sir I'm laughing no really see................

Since longhaul has opened the religion door, I'll offer my beliefs as well. Quite frankly, if I didn't have Jesus, I would have lost hope a long time ago. I probably would have lost my wife a long time ago, too.

The doctors are still amazed that I can walk, which we all know makes life so much easier. I have to give God credit for that. I have a church full of great friends, great job, and a PT that works right in my office building.

As for the trials of life, that's life (and I think that's what E-DOG is saying). I had physical and financial set-backs before I was a paraplegic.

[nomis]

My life has gone in cycles of good times and bad times so I assume something similar happens to everyone. If life was always a picnic I think it'd get boring. And the down times are usually when the most important lessons are learnt and where I'm tested to call on resources I might have not known I possessed.

Of course, currently I'm in a good place, cruising through life so it's easy to be know-it-all and positive and an arrogant pain the in the ass. I'm sure I see life differently when things aren't going right. But I'd hope I've seen enough of life to feel confident that bad times are just part of life and things eventually change - or, if they don't then that's my lot and I'd better get used to it.

Religion, like Christianity, is a good security blanket to cuddle through bad times. Religions have lists of reasons for things that happen which can comfort and placate you. They even have books where you can look up a written answer to your problem. While that helps many it doesn't work for me cos I get my big kick in life out of sorting through my own problems and explanations. Finding my own truth without it being tainted by others. I figure that if something is happening to me it's my business to sort it out my way - which is my kind of godliness.

I wouldn't wish bad times upon anyone but I do recognise it's a time of learning about how to live your life.

[E-DOG]

As far as the Toltecs and their philosophical veiws go.....Wonder where they are now? And if they're still laughing.
The Jesus thing is great if you can buy into it. There are wonderful benifits to predicating your moral absolutes, survival, etc on something greater than yourself. Problem is though, if one takes the time to think it through logicaly ya realize that what you've
taken a leap of faith to believe in couldn't possibly exist. At which point the whole thing falls apart. IMHO.

As young nomis points out, one needs the tough times to attain the knowlege, patience, and resouces needed to see us through to the other side where the light shines brighter. We tend to learn from our failures and the rough passeges in life, not from the successes.

Been through a lotta ups and downs during my long and useless life. When the downs come I try to say to myself, "Well shit, I've survived
and kept a roof over my head up till now. Guess I'll make it through this one too"
Seems there are a lot of survivers on this site. A resilient bunch to say the least. You think things are shitty today? You just wait till tommorrow buddyboy. You ain't EVEN seen shitty. But it's comin'.
And then, maybe, stuff'll get better.
E-dog
is the glass half full or half empty? who cares, if it's tequila, gimmie the dang thing an' i'll finish it.

[rmorgan]

Always enjoy your posts Nomis....

...you too E-dog.

And...to respond. Everyone has hard times. Put it all boils down to how you handle these hard times. THINK positively and postive things will be given back. Scientifically proven.

[Kwag_Myers]

nomis, on Aug 14 2008, 07:31 PM, said:

Religion, like Christianity, is a good security blanket to cuddle through bad times. Religions have lists of reasons for things that happen which can comfort and placate you. They even have books where you can look up a written answer to your problem. While that helps many it doesn't work for me cos I get my big kick in life out of sorting through my own problems and explanations. Finding my own truth without it being tainted by others. I figure that if something is happening to me it's my business to sort it out my way - which is my kind of godliness.

Yeah, I studied this in Bible College. It's call Humanism - the worship of one's own wisdom. It all started with Nimrod, the builder of the Towel of Babel (2300 B.C.) so he could be like God.

[wheeliebear75]

I go to school 7 days a week.......the school of hard knocks. Like my roomie STILL being surprised at how long it takes for me to get ready to figuring out how to pay for things I need on such a limited income. We all have that same sort of problem of feeling that the world just wants to see how much crap it is you can actually take before having a nervous breakdown.........you know for shits and giggles. Don't suppose it helps knowing "you're NOT alone"?

Take care.

[Quad65]

My philosophy is:


What doesn't kill you, really pisses you off so you can get even.

[nomis]

Kwag_Myers, on Aug 16 2008, 11:57 AM, said:

Yeah, I studied this in Bible College. It's call Humanism - the worship of one's own wisdom. It all started with Nimrod, the builder of the Towel of Babel (2300 B.C.) so he could be like God.

Nah, sorry Kwag_Myers, I don't recognise any of that. Must be a Christian thing.

[longhaul]

E-Dog the Toltecs got rubbed out but the crazy little bastards kept laughing all the way to the end which is where I get my philosophy of f*@k em if they can't take a joke...................The phrases LMAO and ROTFLMAO were found on stone tablets in Toltec ruins. The God Thor came through my neck of the woods about a month ago and started the world on fire boy was that freaking funny, yep them Gods be crazy. Laugh or I will kill you.........say what, um I'm going to die anyway Ha, HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Yes sir oh ya I'll get right on it. Hooo Hee Heee HaaaHaaa Hoeee could ya make it hurt a little more UGH! oh ya baby..........................uheeeeeee. Party till the end.

Edited by longhaul, 17 August 2008 - 10:48 PM.

[E-DOG]

[quote name='longhaul' date='Aug 17 2008, 02:15 PM' post='69235']
E-Dog the Toltecs got rubbed out but the crazy little bastards kept laughing all the way to the end which is where I get my philosophy of f*@k em if they can't take a joke...................The phrases LMAO and ROTFLMAO were found on stone tablets in Toltec ruins.

Those tablets weren't made out of stone.
It was LSD, which made them stoned.
But I'll tell ya this much Long Haul. You deffinitely have the right idea.
Bummer so few CAN take a joke.
E

[Kwag_Myers]

nomis, on Aug 17 2008, 09:02 AM, said:

Kwag_Myers, on Aug 16 2008, 11:57 AM, said:

Yeah, I studied this in Bible College. It's call Humanism - the worship of one's own wisdom. It all started with Nimrod, the builder of the Towel of Babel (2300 B.C.) so he could be like God.

Nah, sorry Kwag_Myers, I don't recognise any of that. Must be a Christian thing.

You can not recognise it all you want. If you worship yourself it's a religion.

Maybe you don't recognise Webster's:

"...a philosophy that usually rejects supernaturalism and stresses an individual's dignity and worth and capacity for self-realization through reason."

Explain to me how that doesn't sum up your first post.

And if you don't "recognize" Humanism as a religion, just Google to see what the Humanist have to say about that.

[qbounce]

Yup, this years been a DOOZIE to say the LEAST, so I've found my Rose Covered Glasses, sworn myself to don them 'til Newyear's Eve '09' , and NOT drink ANYTHING in a GLASS . . . just BOTTLED water for me, thanks.

I can feel this thread break any post now . . .oh....
~ no.. .. .
~ ~ ~ here .. .~
.. ~ .. goes .~ ~. ..
t ~
~~~~~ h . . .
~~. . . . e . ~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ br . . ~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ea .. ~
~~~~~~~~~~~~ . . . . k..

Edited by qbounce, 18 August 2008 - 06:14 PM.

[nomis]

Ahh, Kwag_Myers, you are a delight with which to spar.

Like every human being, I'm a work of art that is constantly changing. It is meaningless to put me or anyone in some pigeon hole that suits your own purpose – apart from its convenience to you.

I'm open to seeing any truth but first I must see it, I must truely know it for myself. I can only know what I know. I remain open to the Christian concept of g_d should it make sense to me. I might challenge your views and even get cheeky but I never dismiss them. I always leave room that you might be right because, frankly, I have no proof or all-knowing one way or the other. I expect the same respect in return (but no matter if you can't).

The testing time Jsec64 refers to is common to all of us. Show me someone who denies that and I'll show you someone in denial. It is when we are tested in life that we learn and that is really important. We should not run away from it.

It nicely expands on the signature I use at the foot of every post (see below ). Of course I can't state it as clearly and elegantly as Mr Poe so I've had to borrow his words. We use the same words for ourselves as we do for the shape of the land so it's a nice analogy, Mr Poe.

My sceptiscism of 'some' Christian thinking relates to people who are told the truth from the mountain tops without going into the valleys and into the dark, unknown, sometimes scary depths where they can learn the truths for themselves and really appreciate the diversity of life in all its misery and beauty.

To my way of understanding, a person struggling with depression is closer to g_d than any self-righteous religious devotee.

[coolbreeze]

Good job everyone!

What round is this?

We all have been fighting so hard.

Just look back and see all the ass we kick and all the shit we've gone through lol .

Next.

[longhaul]

Well said nomis, I have this concept of "god" as the power that holds matter together the glue of the universe, no glue no nothing...........more acid please.

[edlee]

With regard to the original post,,,,There is an old saying,,,,one passed down through many generations of the human species,,,,a philosophy of sorts,,,,,,

"LIFE'S A BITCH,,,,THEN YOU DIE"

Probably originated with the Toltecs?????

As for the god thing,,,,let's move that to the hot spot thread and have another go at it.
ed

[Kwag_Myers]

nomis, on Aug 18 2008, 07:17 PM, said:

Ahh, Kwag_Myers, you are a delight with which to spar.

Thx. Just make another condescending remark about Christians and I’ll be more than happy go some more.

nomis, on Aug 18 2008, 07:17 PM, said:

Like every human being, I'm a work of art that is constantly changing. It is meaningless to put me or anyone in some pigeon hole that suits your own purpose – apart from its convenience to you.

The same can be said about Christians. Ideally, we’re always changing, and in most cases, it’s the trials and sufferings we go through that cause us to change. My SCI is not my first trip up the mountain of tribulation.

nomis, on Aug 18 2008, 07:17 PM, said:

I'm open to seeing any truth but first I must see it, I must truely know it for myself. I can only know what I know. I remain open to the Christian concept of g_d should it make sense to me. I might challenge your views and even get cheeky but I never dismiss them. I always leave room that you might be right because, frankly, I have no proof or all-knowing one way or the other. I expect the same respect in return (but no matter if you can't).

So the “security blanket” comment was a complement then? I don’t remember saying anything demeaning about your beliefs, or anyone else's for that matter. I simply pointed out the fact that what you described as your belief system is the very definition of Humanism. You can call it pancake batter for all I care - it's still Humanism. And to be perfectly honest, I probably would have ignored your post if it hadn’t been for the derogatory remark about Christians.

I think most of the members here respect your insights, myself included. I also think that putting someone down for the sake of validating your position is a sign of weakness.

[evilmac64]

boy this realy is testing times

[nomis]

Kwag_Myers, on Aug 20 2008, 12:32 PM, said:

...I don’t remember saying anything demeaning about your beliefs, or anyone else's for that matter. I simply pointed out the fact that what you described as your belief system is the very definition of Humanism... I also think that putting someone down for the sake of validating your position is a sign of weakness.

Yeah, I was baiting you but I don't think I was putting you down. I'm sorry if you took it that way.

"Security blanket", I think is a good, accurate and positive term that, thanks to Peanuts, has a hint of humour. All good natured.

As to the quoted above, remember you did say "...You can not recognise it all you want. If you worship yourself it's a religion."

Just as you jump to the rescue of Christiandom when you feel someone is challenging it, I reflexively jump to defend all other views (?) when someone, in this case you, states a religious viewpoint. I'm compelled to maintain what I see as balance - I don't know if it's the Devil or God who makes me say that but it seems harmless enough.

Look, I'm so busy marvelling at the world that continues to open up to me that I just don't have the time to get depressed (and if I do I hope to make good use of it). I'm convinced that if there is a secret to life then it's the pursuit of understanding who we are. It's not about having answers to who we are, it's the endless pursuit. If you've got the answer then you might as well die cos there's nothing more to do. There, now it's out and it's not a secret any more...but I might have got that all wrong...

Edited by nomis, 21 August 2008 - 11:19 AM.

[Scribbler]

I'm not getting into the religious thing but stick to the point in question. Yes lifes tough and I should know as I've had my share; we either cope or fail.

Abandoned at birth by my mother so I was brought up and abused by various guardians, that was tough, but I coped.

When aged 8 I was abducted by a pedo abused and almost killed, that was tough, but still I coped.

At aged 11 the island I lived on was flooded and 3,000 people drowned; I saw some horrid sights, that was tough, but I still coped.

I thought my life was getting better when I joined the Air Force, things were on the up, then I got my neck broken, that was tough, but I still coped.

That's when I met my wife so life was sweet for a while, until she was diagnosed with cancer, suffered for 12 long years until she died, that was the toughest yet, but I still had to cope.

Things still get tough, age creeping up, my body wearing out, but I still cope because I want to. I want to wake up every morning, come to my computer and see what everyones written on this site, to receive the PM's from the great friends I've made here. That's not tough, that's great, so thanks guys for letting me into a small part of your lives. Even if I disagree with some of you, its still good to know you're all out there; that's what lifes about.

Yes life is very tough but not 24 X 7 and lifes as good as I make it for myself and its been much better since I found this site despite the fanatics.

I was going to say sorry for the 'Violins and Flowers' and going on too much, but no I'm not sorry. I wanted to write down my feelings about the initial post, even though I cant see the keyboard for tears.

[eleanorigby]

Scribbler, on Aug 21 2008, 08:53 AM, said:

I'm not getting into the religious thing but stick to the point in question. Yes lifes tough and I should know as I've had my share; we either cope or fail.

Abandoned at birth by my mother so I was brought up and abused by various guardians, that was tough, but I coped.

When aged 8 I was abducted by a pedo abused and almost killed, that was tough, but still I coped.

At aged 11 the island I lived on was flooded and 3,000 people drowned; I saw some horrid sights, that was tough, but I still coped.

I thought my life was getting better when I joined the Air Force, things were on the up, then I got my neck broken, that was tough, but I still coped.

That's when I met my wife so life was sweet for a while, until she was diagnosed with cancer, suffered for 12 long years until she died, that was the toughest yet, but I still had to cope.

Things still get tough, age creeping up, my body wearing out, but I still cope because I want to. I want to wake up every morning, come to my computer and see what everyones written on this site, to receive the PM's from the great friends I've made here. That's not tough, that's great, so thanks guys for letting me into a small part of your lives. Even if I disagree with some of you, its still good to know you're all out there; that's what lifes about.

Yes life is very tough but not 24 X 7 and lifes as good as I make it for myself and its been much better since I found this site despite the fanatics.

I was going to say sorry for the 'Violins and Flowers' and going on too much, but no I'm not sorry. I wanted to write down my feelings about the initial post, even though I cant see the keyboard for tears.

Wow Scribbler, that's quite the life story, it sounds like a Lifetime movie! Everytime I feel sorry for myself, I'll think of you and how upbeat you are. I'm glad that you were able to find some happiness with your wife. I always comfort myself with the knowledge that I have friends and family I love dearly and who love me and some people are all alone. No matter what happens, when you care for someone it seems to make life managable.

[qbounce]

Nice post Scribbles!!-lol
We're lucky to have you.

Oh, IHATE sounding mushy.
(There . . . does that last part fit into this thread?)

[topperf]

lool, think so!

Scribbler ... I would think that youre a man who's not easily shaken in any way...