Non-guitar related post...need your opinion

[megameta]

hi friends at JCF. got a question for you.

Is there more to life than playing cool and excellent Jackson and Charvel guitars, getting drunk, partying, getting rich, enjoying music etc..

what is your definition of a life well lived, a meaningful life? what exactly are your goals in life if any?

reason I asked is that I just turned 31 a couple of months ago and was in a reflective mood recently. Also a dear friend of mine died recently who was my age and it seems that he was just too young. Just makes me wonder and makes me realize how life is so short and how anything can happen. What are your guys take on this?

[CrazyTrain]

Re: Non-guitar related post...need your opinion

Nice question. I just turned 41 and am asking myself the same things. All I know is try to enjoy what you do and let those you love know how you feel, while there is time.

[Drsracing]

Re: Non-guitar related post...need your opinion

At 21 I believe I'm at a perfect point, In the past 4 years since I've been out of highschool I make twice as much as I did then, have gone through tons of great and fast cars and bikes. The only thing I don't have a a girlfreind right now, but hopfully that'll come to me

[pro-fusion]

Re: Non-guitar related post...need your opinion

My biggest lesson--you have to follow the passions that really move you.

I just quit a high-stress, totally life-absorbing job that also paid very well. I'm going back to my old employer, where I had a much more easy-going job that pays ok, but not great. I came to the conclusion that I'm not that high-achiever person I always told myself I should be. My ideal life is to be able to write and record music--and the way I can do that is by having a job that pays me enough to live but doesn't suck up all of my time and mental energy. When you get into your 30s, there can be a lot of family and societal pressure to be "successful." But there is no requirement that you be part of the fvcking machine--in our wonderful society at this wonderful time, you really can be the person you want to be. And you shouldn't settle for anything less.

[YetAnotherOne]

Re: Non-guitar related post...need your opinion

[ QUOTE ]
My biggest lesson--you have to follow the passions that really move you.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's it, all of it as a matter of fact. The only thing that really matters is what matters to you personally. If you want to carve your name in the history books, get busy! If you believe the highest, best, and most noble objective of your life is to raise a family, go for it. If you believe that building a business and accumulating wealth is the best use of your time, do it. But there's absolutely nothing wrong with writing songs, playing guitar, partying and sleeping with loose women either if that's your bag. It's your life, make of it what you will.

[ABSOLUT CHARVEL]

Re: Non-guitar related post...need your opinion

QUOTE: what is your definition of a life well lived, a meaningful life? what exactly are your goals in life if any?

There are different goals at different points in your life. I have 3 kids (14,12&10)so my goal right now is to raise and educate them so they have a chance in life. It takes nearly all my free time, but it is worth it. I guess that is my sense of meaning right now.

[horns666]

Re: Non-guitar related post...need your opinion

Chuck nailed it when he coined the title "The fragile art of existence"...that is so true.

Heaven and hell is right here , right now ...it's what you make it . You only have one shot at this game so make it count. Accountable , Responsible people all have goals ...human without these qualities are only taking up space ..human pollution I call 'em....the jails are full of them.

Rule of thumb here is..you reap what you sow.

It's all subjective of what is important to you and the ones you care for ...screw everything else but the MOST important person in the world is you ...you must be happy with yourself , because if you don't love and respect yourself nobody else will.

if your not happy then the ones around you will feed off that negative energy and all will be nothing but ensuing drama and chaos.

Get your crap together finacially , don't live for today live for the long road ahead ...plan and acheive your goals...then you will be content but never satisfied ...a ambitious man is never really satisfied....just pacified.

Be a good person , not for a God , not for the law but for yourself and the very ones that depend on you....and you will have a decent life...

you and I already spent almost half of our life expectancy...make the remainder portion count as best you can....that's all we can do

and don't waste your time , money or love on ingrates ...only those who deserve it.

and never never never care about what others "percieve" of you as long as you are confident in yourself.

and never never never take advice from those who are less fortunate than yourself...because they obviously suck! [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

and never take any BS from anyone ...nobody is better than you if you truly believe in yourself..you must establish yourself as a good human....then you can die a good human.

The End.

[Emthrax]

Re: Non-guitar related post...need your opinion

Hmm... hard to follow the Bill Z Bubbles on this one, because he pretty much nailed it on the head in my opinion.

Yes. Life is short. Sometimes its a helluva lot shorter for some than others. That is why it is important to get to know yourself while you are here and share your existence with others.
I don't know what happened to your buddy or how he lived his life- but he was here and obviously made an impression on you. That stands for something. His is not a life wasted-you obviously care about him.

A definition of a life well lived? Hmmm...
This is a hard one, because I believe this definition is all relative. Perhaps it would be easier to define a life not well lived...
I would say that would be someone who went through their life with blinders on, completely closed off to everything around them and every person around them. They did nothing, had no interest, pursued no talent, had no feeling or opinion. That would suck.

My own definition of the well-living person would be someone who accepts who they are and who others are. They follow their interests and encourage others to do the same. Is not be-littling to themselves or others, and is respectful to those that are trying equally as hard. These people develop their talents and take the time to appreciate what is around them.

Exactly what job one has, or whether or not they marry and have kids, or joined a specific cult and read a myriad of religious tombes... to me is not important. That is all fluff.
It is the KIND of person you are. Are you the kind of person that reeks of dishonesty and greed? Or are you the kind of person that eminates a sense of truth and selflessness?
Either one you choose- it will be a life well lived, because you stood for something.

But I can sum up my motto for you in 7 words... Get off your ass and do SUMPIN'!!

If that is wailing on your guitars, tossing back a few and kicking it with your friends- and that makes you content- then you are living your life well. [img]/images/graemlins/popcorn.gif[/img]

Ciao.
Em

[horns666]

Re: Non-guitar related post...need your opinion

That was nice Em...

see , Em has her crap together ...that's what it's all about.. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Newc]

What makes a full life?

Crushing your enemies, seeing them driven before you, and hearing the lamentation of their b1tches [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

In all seriousness, you can apply that to reality - do what you've been told you cannot do, shove it in their faces, and enjoy the sounds of their disbelieving gasps [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Newc

[Shawn Lutz]

Re: What makes a full life?

I think its an ever changing answer, it evolves and changes as life changes.

My priorities now are raising my children (3rd and 5th grades), providing for them, spoiling them when I can and making sure that they are educated. They are both A and A/B students. I earn a good living and enough to keep the wife at home and to buy stuff when I want to. I like my job a lot, I'm content with it at the moment. I used to be more goal oriented and aggressive on the work front, it isn't important to me as I hit a glass ceiling career wise that will only open when people above me quit. Most wont quit because they have substantial $ in stock (as do I) which prevents folks leaving for more advancements.

I enjoy life and I feel that I'm very blessed and I thank God every day for my family, my health, our home and my job. Do I want more? you bet I do [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] I'm not materialistic at all, I want more enjoyment and more fun for myself and my family. I'd love to be on vacation permanently cause that is when we have the most fun [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] Its the simple things that I really dig, just hanging with my boys, riding ATV's ,playing games, watching sports etc.

I don't look back at all and wish I did things differently, sure I made mistakes in life, sure I could have made better decisions along the way but these are the things that I had to deal with and help build character and ultimately who I am. My life wasn't always peachy, its been tough at times as I'm sure everyone's has at some point. Its peaks and valleys. I learned from my mistakes and how I dealt with hardship, I have knowledge to share because of it. I can tell my kids about them and how to avoid them.

[AlexL]

Re: What makes a full life?

I think one's goals and purpose in life becomes clearer when you have children. Although I was not the first to ever say it, having kids really puts things into perspective.

A scratch on a guitar no longer means days of anger. A crappy day at work no longer sets the mood for the day. All of the little thangs that used to bother the crap out of you just don't matter any more.

My goals and purpose? To be a good father. That's it. I still practice bass every night, and am trying to achieve the "musician" status that I felt I never achieved on guitar; this is an important past time for me. But really? My worth will be measured as a provider, an educator, a nurturer; not as a guitarist, bassist, or the guy who designed the Jackson guitar generator. And I am totally cool with that.

My 6 year old daughter gave me a drawing she made the other day. It said "I LOVE DADDY", and had a drawing of me holding her hand, with the two of us smiling. THAT is what I'm worth.


- Eric

[atomic charvel guy]

Re: What makes a full life?

all you have to do in life is make the exact opposite
moves that i have made and you'll be fine-lol

[Accept2]

Re: What makes a full life?

I like Homer's view of life.....
"Life is just one crushing defeat after another until you wish Flanders was dead"...............

[horns666]

Re: What makes a full life?

NEWC ...you are a closet Satanist my good friend.. [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]