Seeking Wisdom

[beautifulearth83]

Hello everybody. I haven't been on here in awhile and I hope that all is well with you.

 

My question may be pretty broad and it's based on a pretty common goal among people: being well.

 

I'm going to be 25 soon and I feel like I've seen and done a good amount for my age. I've met a number of different types of people, been to some interesting places, I've made mistakes in my life, and I've done good things in my life. I've tasted a lollipop and I've played in the sun. I've swam in the ocean and danced by a tree. I've really tasted a lot of life, from good to bad, happiness and depression, facing some fears, having a job, not having a job, relationships, etc. I've drank alcohol and I've smoked weed. I've done magic mushrooms and I've been on and off medications for anxiety.

 

I guess what I'm getting to here is that I think we experience all types of things in life and grow and learn what works and what doesn't. What I'm feeling lately is a lot of nostalgia. I think about childhood and younger days where I was perhaps more pure. I feel that I'm always looking for a fresh start. I feel like I know right from wrong more than I ever have, but my trouble is implementing it the best I can.

 

My biggest issue lately is just not knowing what's best for me, what to have more of/less of and what to do more of/less of to feel better. I don't like taking anti-depressants because I fear how they affect spiritual growth and our natural anatomy. I'm afraid that they suppress emotions. Yet, I like the safety of medications and believe they really have helped me at times. This goes for food too. I want to eat better, but it's so tough to regulate it all. Some days I want to eat all fruits and vegetables and more energetic food and some days I just want to eat junk. I always hear about exercise, I also think about it a lot. I smoke cigarettes, which I need to stop. I'm confused about drinking and smoking weed, because sometimes I'm just totally against it, and others I feel like it's a great time. I'm also very interested in giving. Sometimes I don't know how much to give and how much to take. Sometimes I feel like the process in which I give and take could be more fluid, more genuine. It's very hard for me to enjoy a moment in it's fulness as I know I once have.

 

I'm all over the place. What it comes down to is that I know there are people out there who feel better than I do and I'm wondering, is there anybody out there who has experienced some life, had some good times, had some low times, partied a bit, and at some point decided to live a healthier, more balanced life and seen good results come from it? Is life renewable and rewarding again? Or do our brains just tangle as our fears grow larger and issues grow larger...

[Geishawhelk]

Ok. Just two things:

 

ONE: I am 51, and I'm still not sure what i'm going to do with the rest of my life.

Don't panic, you have a way to go yet. Relax. Just because you're alive, not everything has to be deep, profound and meaningful....

 

TWO:

You may find that Meditation will help you settle your mind and calm your thinking.

 

DISCLAIMER:

Just because I'm Buddhist, I am not proselytising or preaching or advocating practising meditation in order to change, restructure or bring you to a different Spiritual course, or path.

Meditation is a-religious and is practised by different people, from different walks of Life. It doesn't matter what you practise or believe - or don't believe - yourself. Your doctrine, faith or whatever is completely immaterial and irrelevant.

But many would testify to its beneficial effects and calming influence.

[Ofleg7]

Hey.

 

Sorry, I can't speak from experience, I'm going to be 25 later this year too and I can relate to a lot of what you're saying. I smoke and drink quite a lot but i try to eat healthily (not always successfully) and I goto the gym..well I've been slacking recently but I used to go quite regularly and I will go again regularly in the near future. So.. I guess I'm neither here nor there. I'm probably not quite as fufilled with my life as you are.. I haven't travelled nearly enough, gave up on some of the things that I really loved doing and don't devote enough time to my creative devices. I'm also in a bit of a slump at the moment because I've loved and lost but I try to keep myself upright and I'm doing ok at it.

 

I think all the things people see as unhealthy aren't neccessarily so, in moderate quantities. I used to smoke a lot.. a lot.. of marijuana and that's when it's really bad for you and now I can recognise that. Not for the effects it supposedly has on your mental health, but because it sucks up your life and you wake up like 3 years later or something wondering where you've been and what you've been doing. I still smoke it occassionally, but nowhere near as much and I'm happy with that compromise. Same with alcohol .. maybe I drink a bit too much at the moment, I blame that on being a student, but I'm nowhere near reliant on it or anything like that and I could cut down anytime, I just dont want to right now because I'm enjoying it, and hey we are still young, so why not.

 

Regarding the giving thing.. there are websites on the interent devoted to volunteer work you can do in your local area.. I dont know any off the top of my head, but I know they exist. It's something I really want to do but find myself without the time, and not having a driving license is a big hinderance aswell. Maybe when I've failed uni I'll get on it.

 

Anyway.. I guess what I'm trying to say, but haven't said very well, is do what you want to do. Fingers crossed we both have a long way to go and the highs and lows are all part of the experience. If you're going to enjoy living healthier then go for it, if it's going to make you happy. There are definite benefits from being healthier but not as many as there are from being happier. It's your life, you've got the steering wheel.

 

Sorry, I'm not great at advice, but my two cents are still worth two cents =)

[witabix]

Hello everybody. I haven't been on here in awhile and I hope that all is well with you.

 

My question may be pretty broad and it's based on a pretty common goal among people: being well.

 

I'm going to be 25 soon and I feel like I've seen and done a good amount for my age. I've met a number of different types of people, been to some interesting places, I've made mistakes in my life, and I've done good things in my life. I've tasted a lollipop and I've played in the sun. I've swam in the ocean and danced by a tree. I've really tasted a lot of life, from good to bad, happiness and depression, facing some fears, having a job, not having a job, relationships, etc. I've drank alcohol and I've smoked weed. I've done magic mushrooms and I've been on and off medications for anxiety.

 

I guess what I'm getting to here is that I think we experience all types of things in life and grow and learn what works and what doesn't. What I'm feeling lately is a lot of nostalgia. I think about childhood and younger days where I was perhaps more pure. I feel that I'm always looking for a fresh start. I feel like I know right from wrong more than I ever have, but my trouble is implementing it the best I can.

 

My biggest issue lately is just not knowing what's best for me, what to have more of/less of and what to do more of/less of to feel better. I don't like taking anti-depressants because I fear how they affect spiritual growth and our natural anatomy. I'm afraid that they suppress emotions. Yet, I like the safety of medications and believe they really have helped me at times. This goes for food too. I want to eat better, but it's so tough to regulate it all. Some days I want to eat all fruits and vegetables and more energetic food and some days I just want to eat junk. I always hear about exercise, I also think about it a lot. I smoke cigarettes, which I need to stop. I'm confused about drinking and smoking weed, because sometimes I'm just totally against it, and others I feel like it's a great time. I'm also very interested in giving. Sometimes I don't know how much to give and how much to take. Sometimes I feel like the process in which I give and take could be more fluid, more genuine. It's very hard for me to enjoy a moment in it's fulness as I know I once have.

 

I'm all over the place. What it comes down to is that I know there are people out there who feel better than I do and I'm wondering, is there anybody out there who has experienced some life, had some good times, had some low times, partied a bit, and at some point decided to live a healthier, more balanced life and seen good results come from it? Is life renewable and rewarding again? Or do our brains just tangle as our fears grow larger and issues grow larger...

 

Knowing where you are going is the province of people who have little choice.

 

At 47, my life staggers from turmoil to peace every few years, I have been around a lot, done a lot of stuff, a good few relationships, couple of heart attacks, sometimes it feels like I have had to lead about three or four different lives up to this point.

 

But I keep my head up and plough on. You never know what is going to happen next, it is how you deal with it that counts.

 

Many, many people live out their lives within 2 miles of their birthplace, and cannot imagine doing anything else other than what 'they do'.

 

I have always enjoyed making it up as I go along. That means that I don't own anything, but then nothing owns me either. It also means I am in the same position as you are, 22 years down the line, its ok to be confused, come on in the waters fine!

[OpenBook]

Do what you love. And don't do too much navel-gazing. It's not healthy.

[confused2007]

Hello everybody. I haven't been on here in awhile and I hope that all is well with you.

 

My question may be pretty broad and it's based on a pretty common goal among people: being well.

 

I'm going to be 25 soon and I feel like I've seen and done a good amount for my age. I've met a number of different types of people, been to some interesting places, I've made mistakes in my life, and I've done good things in my life. I've tasted a lollipop and I've played in the sun. I've swam in the ocean and danced by a tree. I've really tasted a lot of life, from good to bad, happiness and depression, facing some fears, having a job, not having a job, relationships, etc. I've drank alcohol and I've smoked weed. I've done magic mushrooms and I've been on and off medications for anxiety.

 

I guess what I'm getting to here is that I think we experience all types of things in life and grow and learn what works and what doesn't. What I'm feeling lately is a lot of nostalgia. I think about childhood and younger days where I was perhaps more pure. I feel that I'm always looking for a fresh start. I feel like I know right from wrong more than I ever have, but my trouble is implementing it the best I can.

 

My biggest issue lately is just not knowing what's best for me, what to have more of/less of and what to do more of/less of to feel better. I don't like taking anti-depressants because I fear how they affect spiritual growth and our natural anatomy. I'm afraid that they suppress emotions. Yet, I like the safety of medications and believe they really have helped me at times. This goes for food too. I want to eat better, but it's so tough to regulate it all. Some days I want to eat all fruits and vegetables and more energetic food and some days I just want to eat junk. I always hear about exercise, I also think about it a lot. I smoke cigarettes, which I need to stop. I'm confused about drinking and smoking weed, because sometimes I'm just totally against it, and others I feel like it's a great time. I'm also very interested in giving. Sometimes I don't know how much to give and how much to take. Sometimes I feel like the process in which I give and take could be more fluid, more genuine. It's very hard for me to enjoy a moment in it's fulness as I know I once have.

 

I'm all over the place. What it comes down to is that I know there are people out there who feel better than I do and I'm wondering, is there anybody out there who has experienced some life, had some good times, had some low times, partied a bit, and at some point decided to live a healthier, more balanced life and seen good results come from it? Is life renewable and rewarding again? Or do our brains just tangle as our fears grow larger and issues grow larger...

 

Hello BE,

 

Hope all has been well. I remember you quite well as I relate to a lot of what I read from you.

 

About 1-1/2 years ago I exercised rarely (if at all), ate junk food often, smoked cigarettes, drank alcohol 5+ times/week, was in an unhealthy relationship, unsatisfying job and all while I spun myself around in circles pondering on what I'm doing vs what I want and should be doing.

 

What changed me into whom I wanted to be was letting go the relationship I was in. I was cheated on and saw it first-handed. After this event, I knew what needed to be done and moved on with my life and eliminated any point of contact with her. It was difficult, to say the least, but I conquered the short-term mental torture and it eventually spun me into a different person. I kept telling myself "If I can get through this, I can get through anything." - And I truly believed that.

 

After I started feeling somewhat better, I quit smoking cigs (After 7 years), started exercising 3-6x week, started noticing I had more energy, began to eat healthier, reaped a much more satisfying and rewarding job and now love being single. I'm still working on some anxiety and other issues I have, but nonetheless battling it until I win.

 

Not sure if I can pinpoint why the chemistry in my brain changed me the way it did after letting go of my past relationship, but it definetly ignited something that restructured me.

 

I say if you either after something, or after changing something, you need to:

1 - Ask yourself what specifically is it that you want

2 - Figure out how are you going to get there

3 - Start now

 

As far as the medication, I whole-heartedly agree with your perspective. I actually posted a thread about antidepressants that discussed this issue if you're interested in reading it.

 

I feel the same way about marijuanna. Regardless of its debatable effects, you should quit because of the competitive world we live in. You are not giving yourself an edge by smoking weed - if it's success that you're after. IMO, its best to think in terms of long-term survival and smoking the dope is putting you behind.

 

I occassionally keep up with a journal of mine, in which I write various things that I dwelve on. Most relate to experiences and advice I've had with life. Maybe you can find them useful? A couple of my quotes:

 

- "Your perception is a reflection of your knowledge."

 

- "Once you surpass the mental barriers you've setup, numerous doors will open that offer an alternative perception of reality."

 

Hope you can find some of this info useful in your quest.

 

Good luck

 

BTW - if you ever want to talk about anything I'm a PM away.

 

Cheers!

Edited April 6, 2008 by confused2007

[beautifulearth83]

Thank you all so much for your responses. I could go and quote and respond to bits and pieces, but I seriously appreciate every word. You all have been so much help. It's been my pleasure reading all of your various responses, slightly different in approach, all-the-while enlightening and honest. Well before I get to analyzing too much, I wish you all an adventurous spring, a summer full of rewards, and so on. See you all around as we cultivate the cycle of love and understanding.