A moment of reflection: pondering the meaning of life
Kendra Spenard, '10 | Staff Reporter
Issue date: 5/7/10 Section: Opinion
What is your own 'meaning of life?' What an interesting thing to wonder. When I was asked by Dr. Galusky to write a one-page response to this question for his Philosophy 201 course, I laughed. How could I write only one page on the meaning of life?
If asked what the general meaning of human life is…To me it is obvious that everyone derives their own meaning from their daily experiences, which is why everyone chooses a different path. Dr. Galusky's classes (accompanied with a few others I took at MSC) helped me realize more fully how true this is.
When asked what gives meaning to my life… A lot of things do. Aside from the average answer (Family, friends… You know? The generic answers), I would say the quest for knowledge has been my newest meaning.
I have grown and changed a lot since I started here as a freshman. The classes and life lessons I have been exposed to on the past four-year journey have taught me (what I believe) are valuable tidbits. It has left me with a craving thirst for more.
I graduate in May and I am consistently asked what I plan to do next. My answer seems to stump people, because my plan has nothing to do with a career. I tell them I am going to be pursuing knowledge still, with or without the help of an institution. College gave me a lot, but there is more I need to know and execute in my daily life.
Aside from an ever-growing pile of books beside my bed, I want to travel, do yoga every day, meditate, eat healthier (I am hoping a new job might provide the monetary needs to achieve this) and live in a more positive state of awareness.
I plan on more closely analyzing Eastern philosophy and religion. The idea that the universe is a whole, which we are all a part of, holds lustrous appeal to me. I find that the current cognitive state of "humanness" a little distasteful. I do not know that this means, I will become a Buddhist, but I am excited about the pursuit of whatever it is I do "become."
In actuality I do not know that any philosopher or religion has been able to completely land the hammer on the head of the nail. There are always things unaccounted for: stipulations or structures of moral constructs which taint the purity of existence for me.
I am really looking forward to life and death. After our "Meaning of Life" lecture in philosophy, all I could think of was wisdom imparted to me by Peter Pan: "To die would be the greatest adventure!" I reject the idea that when I die I will be judged and then "that is it." I believe there is much more meaning to find in the moments I wake up to every morning.
Existence is a huge deal to me! I am. And I have the ability to go through processes of self-improvement. Everyone does.
I was supposed to make the response to his question one page long - let us just say I did not make the one page prerequisite. In a nut shell,
Meaning of My Life = Self (One) and Seeking.
But what is the meaning of yours?
If asked what the general meaning of human life is…To me it is obvious that everyone derives their own meaning from their daily experiences, which is why everyone chooses a different path. Dr. Galusky's classes (accompanied with a few others I took at MSC) helped me realize more fully how true this is.
When asked what gives meaning to my life… A lot of things do. Aside from the average answer (Family, friends… You know? The generic answers), I would say the quest for knowledge has been my newest meaning.
I have grown and changed a lot since I started here as a freshman. The classes and life lessons I have been exposed to on the past four-year journey have taught me (what I believe) are valuable tidbits. It has left me with a craving thirst for more.
I graduate in May and I am consistently asked what I plan to do next. My answer seems to stump people, because my plan has nothing to do with a career. I tell them I am going to be pursuing knowledge still, with or without the help of an institution. College gave me a lot, but there is more I need to know and execute in my daily life.
Aside from an ever-growing pile of books beside my bed, I want to travel, do yoga every day, meditate, eat healthier (I am hoping a new job might provide the monetary needs to achieve this) and live in a more positive state of awareness.
I plan on more closely analyzing Eastern philosophy and religion. The idea that the universe is a whole, which we are all a part of, holds lustrous appeal to me. I find that the current cognitive state of "humanness" a little distasteful. I do not know that this means, I will become a Buddhist, but I am excited about the pursuit of whatever it is I do "become."
In actuality I do not know that any philosopher or religion has been able to completely land the hammer on the head of the nail. There are always things unaccounted for: stipulations or structures of moral constructs which taint the purity of existence for me.
I am really looking forward to life and death. After our "Meaning of Life" lecture in philosophy, all I could think of was wisdom imparted to me by Peter Pan: "To die would be the greatest adventure!" I reject the idea that when I die I will be judged and then "that is it." I believe there is much more meaning to find in the moments I wake up to every morning.
Existence is a huge deal to me! I am. And I have the ability to go through processes of self-improvement. Everyone does.
I was supposed to make the response to his question one page long - let us just say I did not make the one page prerequisite. In a nut shell,
Meaning of My Life = Self (One) and Seeking.
But what is the meaning of yours?