Life purpose

When I see these books, etc., that have some secret to how you should live your life, or your life's purpose, I realize that, in order for such a thing to be published, people must choose to be blind. Not blind in the sense that they can't see, but in the sense that they won't see. If you are in your life and you are not liking it, what is it about what you do every day that makes you think it's without meaning? When I was a kid I remember hearing about the "God-called garbage man," who feels that the service he performs has merit and purpose, even though others might not see it that way. Besides, didn't you want to do that jobe (and ride on the side of the truck) when you were a kid?
I think it's the feeling that, if I am not changing the world, then what I do means nothing. Tell that to your friends--"my life has no meaning." They're gonna ask you, "what am I, chopped liver??" You have a life, and it has meaning because you are in it. For those who need more than that, get your head up and look around! It means something because you decided to perceive that it does. Don't believe me? Read William James and his idea that we are living the life we perceive. John Grey's book about "how to want what you have" tries to say that in a different way. Not to say we shouldn't strive for things, but the striving is the point, not the getting. Part of this is our culture and what we are told we should expect. For instance, Amazon now has a "lending library" that allows you to download books to read on the Kindle. You have to be an Amazon Prime subscriber, and it costs you $79.00 a year to be able to borrow books.  But why is it that this revenue model has any traction at all when anyone with a Kindle can borrow books for the Kindle now from the neighborhood library without leaving the comfort of home? Oh yeah, and did I mention that IT'S FREE??? That's what I mean by cultural expectations. It's a mindset, a perception, that needs to be revisited every now and then to make sure it still works for you.
Ok, off the soapbox. Just wanted you all to know that my relationship with you, with myself, and my Higher Power is what gives my life meaning. I get carried away by a false sense of urgency and importance, but in the end it's the relationships we have, I think, that sustain us.

Petty's advice

Never thought I would find myself living in my college buddy's basement. Seriously. This is embarrassing. I moved here in July 28 and promptly hit the airport to go to Houston. Then a close friend and I ended up in the upper peninsula for a few days. Finally I stopped running and landed in Milford. What a ride!

As basements go, it's not a bad place. There's a walkout with its own patio and chimenea. I get reception on my phone down there. There's wireless Internet so I can do my normal thing I do. Since I can't live at home, this is a good second.

Living apart-- the loneliness of the long-distance runner. It's been since March that my husband has been living and working in Houston without me. I'm here in Michigan, waiting to find out if I have been accepted to the Phd program at Wayne State University. I am excited about this program that I have been involved with since 2007, but all the same it's hard to be here when he's there... I am hoping my experience will help me be a better listener and friend to folks who have to endure this situation. I never planned for this development. Life is a trip. What I am finding, though, is that one's decision about the situation has lots more to do with the acceptance of it than the actual situation itself. In other words, my perception of the situation, good or bad, is directly related to how hard (or easy) it is to deal with.

My ability to say, "okay, I am really missing my man right now, and I could cry because I want him here or to be there, but if I give in to those thoughts and actions, I will miss the fact that I am in a great place with people who love me, and we are actually having a good time right now!" I am learning to put it away. I tell myself I can be sad later, because right now is not convenient. I've rolled away from being an escapee, a refugee, a flight case, to living in the moment and relishing it all. I obviously haven't got it down cold-- after all, I am no Bodhisattva. But I don't have to live (or feel) like a refugee. Excellent advice.