re: Do you give your life the credit it deserves?

I'm not sure. On the surface, I'd say no. I try to be as thankful as I possibly can for what I have, but it's not always easy. It's not that I'm comparing my have-nots to what other people do possess, more so I long for something on which I can't articulate.

I'd say more often than not I do the inverse. I look at what I have and take stock and I'm grateful. I have a roof, I have my health, I have food in the fridge, I have what I believe to be an ability to look at situations objectively and take a (IMO) reasonable position. But still, some days I'm longing for more.

I'm somewhat nihilistic, which can be both a blessing and a curse. I know what I value; my wife, my dog, spending time with my family, learning new things. I don't want for fancy cars, vacations, or even a lot of money. I feel like in that regard, my views on life and consciousness as a whole are actually really healthy. My dream life is to be in a quiet setting, the people I love with their health, just spending time with one another and enjoying each other's company.

And where my perspective can be a bit of a burden is even when I get those things, even for just a day or two, and I am truly happy in that moment, there is always a sinking feeling of "I'm going to lose this, we are all going to perish, and none of this will matter in a relative blink of an eye."

I try not to go down the ugly road of comparison as it leads to anxiety. Instead choose to interrupt that anxiety with gratitude and service to others.

Subtle brag

Being grateful is the easiest way to be happy.

If I died today, I know I’ve lived a life better than almost any other person that’s walked this earth. Thank the good lord every day for my blessings.

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Thank the good lord every day for my blessings.

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This song has been my theme song lately

Maybe It's Ok (If I'm not Ok)

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If I didn't know what it hurt like to be broken
Then how would I know what it feels like to be whole
If I didn't know what it cuts like to be rejected
Then I wouldn't know the joy of coming home

Maybe it's ok if I'm not ok
Cause the one who holds the world is holding onto me
Maybe it's alright if I'm not alright
Cause the one who holds the stars is holding my whole life

If I didn't know what it looked like to be dirty
Then I wouldn't know what it feels like to be clean
If all of my shame hadn't drove me to hide in the shadows
Then I wouldn't know the beauty of being free

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David Koresh?

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did he say something similar? Link?

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Being grateful is the easiest way to be happy.

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Definitely. None of us are "normal," we are just faking it for the most part. We are unique, our lives are unique. Though I didn't consider it at the time, my hard times were gold that prepared my to be content, grateful and at peace with my assets and my limitations. Accepting who you are is hard, but it's a key element of contentment.

Can you accept the fact that your entire life is just a ripple on a single wave in a vast ocean and STILL pursue a life of meaning ? If so, you are doing it correctly, even if your “ achievements “ seem small and insignificant.

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We still yearn to hunt and/or gather.

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Some harsh truth to that. We still have primitive yearnings that are being pushed aside for artificial substitutes. There's a peace we feel with challenging nature and providing in a basic way. As this is glossed over for creature comforts mankind has become restless and anxious. Depression is rampant.

Measuring life in accomplishments and milestones is counter productive to the way we are hard wired. Breaking free from the national rhythms of life has been a detriment to the individual and Collectivism is not an identity.

It's weird, but some people subconsciously sabotage their lives when the border on superficial success. Basic insticts related to survival are being ignored, but are hard wired.