I have therefore I am?

from WinCustomize Forums
I was just having a conversation the other day about when can a person be satisfied with what he/she has got.People tend to define themselves by what they have.And not only material things are included in this possessive tendancy,but persons and feelings as well:The more I have the more I count as a person.But,in truth,isnt this the greatest delusion of modern societies?
Even our language betrays our tendancy to possess,since the verb to have dominates in every day life:I have a wife,but am I a husband?I have a son,but am I a father?I have a dog,a profession,a house,a car,a bank account etc,but do I ever stop to have a look?Am I more happy the more I have?Or do I lose myself in my possessions only to find myself in short moments of self-consciousness or never again...
Perhaps there is no answear,perhaps this is not the right question.I just would like to read some thoughts on this matter...Thats all.
9,109 views 32 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have SkinBrowser so therefore I have no life!

/me go for more downloads
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
What wonderful food for thought you give us Fishbone! Thank you
This is the real problem of our modern society.
The 3 words "I am this" is the highest philosophical research.
Who is "I", who is "am" and what is the relation of both with "this".
Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Reminds me of those three quotes.....
"To be is to do"
"To do is to be"
and
"Do be do be do"...
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have SkinBrowser so therefore I have no life!
Chef Garry go for more downloads
by Chef Garry - 7/22/2002 5:05:24 PM

hehe

I forgot a saying I once heard that I liked alot but it goes something to the effect "Make the place you are the place to be"
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You can't always get what you want,
You can't always get what you want,
You can't always get what you want,
But if you try sometime,
You just might find,
You can get what you need.


- Rolling Stones.

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Or, as another great man put it.....

"When we cannot find contentment in ourselves it it useless to seek it elsewhere.

-Francois De La Rochefoucauld
-Maxims
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Where ever I hang my hat, that's my hat-stand....
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ponder this....

If there was no such thing as an Internet of any kind... where do you think your life would be right now?

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Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'd still be watching "All in the Family" reruns.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
"Meathead"

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Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
/me was talking about the Meathead on the show, not calling motion a Meathead

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Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Fishbone, I suspect that you already know the answers! I spent decades acquiring and grasping, and finally became happy when I realized that nothing which I have ( or don't have ) can satisfy me. Seems strange but once I devalued money and status, I started getting more of both. Somebody bean me I'm pontificating again!
Sorry about that!
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I know elvee. I was only kidding around with you.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top


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Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
"When we cannot find contentment in ourselves it it useless to seek it elsewhere".

Good stuff motion
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
"To be is to do"
"To do is to be"
and
"Do be do be do"...

That's great, Jafo
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It's an interesting question.
I heard that there is (was?) an African people in who's language the verb "to have" doesn't exist. Possession doesn't exist. Or didn't. Don't know if that said African people didn't today adopt the modern western ways of life.

Having said that, I can say that until I got married and have children, I didn't care about possessions much. In my single years, I moved qiute often from one city to the other, with all my belongings fitting in a backpack. Where ever I'd move, I'd get a new job, a buy the furninture I needed in used furniture store and garage sales. I'd then simply give it away the next time I'd move.

Today, it's different. I'm responsible for my family's well being and I work hard to ensure that they never need anything.
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
For me it's all a matter of perspective. I have a wife and two beautiful daughters, therefore (for me at least) I have everything I'll ever need. A job, a car, a tv, it can all go away, but as long as my family is here, life is good.

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Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Once you devalue money and status you are free from the illusion they create and therefore you can see more clear.After this you can concentrate on more important things and be more creative.Maybe this is why you get more of both...Anyway,thanks for the thought Bangkokboy.
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Dear Jafo...
To be is to do
To do is to be
...these are the words of two great Greek philosophers.
Do be do be do...this is from a Frank Sinatra song!!!
But as it is obvious the verb to have is not included in any of these quotes.I guess back then it wasnt that important!
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Let me clarify my previous post.
I don't need luxury and my family doesn't either.
But still want to give my family the confort I wouldn't need just for myself. I've had appartments before with no bed, I slept in a sleeping bag on the floor and was perfectly happy with that. It was my little price to pay to get freedom. But I wouldn't impose that to my little family.
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
motion,if whe find contentment in ourselves,we can find it in oters and this a great step,because we become better human beings.A lovely thought,indeed.
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
paxx,what you write is extremely interesting and thank you for sharing it.I understand well what you are saying.The responsibility of a family is great.But greater is the feeling of belonging and loving that a family can provide to you.It is a blessing and I am sure you do your best.I know I would!