The "irrational world" from my perspective is the human world which we do not understand and cannot control, even though it is "ours" as opposed to the natural world which is that of Nature and is totally balanced and thus beyond most human's comprehension.

You are correct in pointing out that we should enjoy the joys and pleasures that are afforded us while steeling ourselves to endure the pains and frustrations that existence entails.

I don't think that you and I have much of a difference of opinion because I support all that you are saying. When I said "Go with the tide because otherwise it will drown you" I should have added that, if you see someone else in the stream polluting the waters, it is OK to scuttle their boat.

In my whole life I have also opposed the way I perceived the "crowd" going especially when I disagreed with it, and I have never regretted it.

Thanks for your input. I value your opinion and hope we can further converse in the future.

Peace Out!

Agreed completely.

Hi, Fountainhead24,
I agree that hope is one of the tools to cope with the world which we do not understand and cannot control, which, I think, you and others mean when you say "irrational world".
I think that you are neglecting to mention the joys and pleasures of life along with the pains and frustrations. I think that you have to enjoy the joys and pleasures, while steeling yourself to endure the pains and frustrations. Your suggestion to live the life to the fullest I read to mean to learn to handle all four of those and all their "derivatives".
To me, life contains good and evil. I do strive, I confess, to do harm to the evil. What is good and what is evil? That depends on ones moral and other values. Doesn't this say that freedom means choosing one's moral values and accepting responsibility for that choice?
My guts somehow urge me to go the opposite way than that in which I perceive the "crowd" to go. I have done it all my life and never regretted it. If that means swimming against the tide, I guess that it also means that you and I have a difference of opinion.
It is a real pleasure for me to discuss this with you.
Have a great one and thanks.

"Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose..." or is it?

Yes. Hope is all we have to keep us "sane" in an irrational world. Some who see the world around them as hopeless will want to opt out.

Personally, I recognize existence as painful and frustrating. To survive this perception, I need to let go of it. If I can change it I will, if I can't I won't. I just hope that I have the insight to know the difference.

In the meantime, live your life to the fullest, doing no harm. Have compassion towards all. Be at peace.

The world is always changing. Go with the tide because otherwise it will drown you.

I saw this and some other instances in this, in my opinion, great discussion, describe the world as "illogical and irrational". Sorry to say, but to me that is nonsense. The world has no such property nor an ability to acquire it (through "learning"?). Human brains have ability (greatly varied among individuals) to generate logical and rational relationships among percepts and concepts. I think that this is the essence of AR's command: "Check your premises!" Don't you agree? Isn't "hope" just an expectation on the part of a human of an outcome, in the future, which he expects to judge as beneficial?

Yes it has. Don't you think that part of the problem are the focus on the length of life rather the quality of life (which only individual is entitled to judge for self) and the desire of the government to keep us alive as taxpayers as long as possible (the estate tax they will collect anyway, just a bit later)?

:) Keep pushin' on my friend!

Thanks!!! -- j

Sorry, I'm a non-computer geek. LOL I gave you my e-mail subscription by mistake. This is the site, but you have to scroll around it to find the daily thought. http://www.aa-alive.net/

John, that link didn't have a viable "conversation"
associated with it, according to google, after I waked
up my account again. any other clues? -- j

I'll tell my students to get moving a little faster.

Glad to hear it. Keep coming back. We're both right where we need to be. This link helps me. Just passing it along. https://mail.google.com/mail/#trash/147d...

My maternal Grandmother lived to a ripe old age, but died of Alzheimer's over a decade ago. She was an entrepreneur and an inspiration, but a treatment did not arrive in time for her. That is the way of the world. There will be a cure one day and some will be saved, but no one knows just when. I am the eldest living with my surname. This is not exactly comforting, but I do not dwell upon it. So far I have no serious concerns and have been living a wonderful life. I intend to go on doing so! I will " ...not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light...." Dylan Thomas

I heard the same story today, too. My perspective is exactly the same as yours, O.A. As for Parkinson's disease, that protein misfolding disorder and others (like Alzheimer's) are just now starting to be understood. One of my colleagues has made some nice progress on understanding how Alzheimer's works. I've co-advised several of his students.

Hello jbrenner,
I just heard a report that Robin was recently diagnosed with Parkinsons. http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/peopl...
Still I am fortunate to have never felt the urge to contemplate the final solution. I have never understood how one can find themselves with so little hope when one cannot foresee the future. No matter how bad things seem today, tomorrow may bring a completely different perspective and in the case of a malady a potential cure. Imagine what light one may bring to others while they yet live and what a shame it may be to miss the opportunity to be a positive inspiration. Yet, there is always in the back of my mind the thought that I do not walk in another's shoes, so I cannot condemn unconditionally.
Respectfully,
O.A.

I gave up alcohol 3.5432 years ago, John, and don't
miss it a bit -- yeah! the divorce ripped out things
which I did not know were there. sober as Judge
Dredd, now, and loving it!!! -- j

I think that it's a part of the artificial adoration of --
or fear of -- Muslims, these days. -- j

LOL thanks, I will. Don't mean to piss anyone off. Being sober means I have to work on my character defects. Sobriety is a shocker, I thought I was perfect.