Knowledge is cool.: Existentialism

Showing posts with label Existentialism. Show all posts

6/10/15

Year of Gratitude - Day 161 - Dr. Strecher, Julia and the Dung Beetle

Yesterday at the Development Council at the University of Michigan, we heard an absolutely incredible speaker, Dr. Victor Strecher. He is the author of On Purpose, a graphic novel-like book that "shows that self-directed, positive change is possible and that pursuing a self-transcending life purpose is one of the keys."

His story is heartbreaking and inspirational. His message spoke to me so much that I sat with a frog in my throat and tear welling in my eyes. And, Dr. Strecher started talking existentialism.

He also has a website that helps you to start seeking and realizing your life's purpose. Check out: http://www.dungbeetle.org.

And check out the book, too: http://www.dungbeetle.org/buy-the-book/.

I am so grateful to have had the chance to hear Dr. Strecher speak.

3/12/15

Year of Gratitude - Day 71 - Love

— Albert Camus
Source: http://www.aseaofquotes.com/post/115216430909/albert-camus

3/9/15

Year of Gratitude - Day 68 - Time

Lang Leav, “Time”

2/28/15

Year of Gratitude - Day 59

2/19/15

Year of Gratitude - Day 50 - Live to the point of tears

2/16/15

Year of Gratitude - Day 47 - Wisdom 2

"One, remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Two, never give up work. Work gives you meaning and purpose and life is empty without it. Three, if you are lucky enough to find love, remember it is there and don't throw it away."

~Stephen Hawking

"Vision is the art of seeing things invisible."

~Jonathan Swift

"So you attempt to hide your loneliness in public, to behave, in fact, as though you have too many friends already, and thus you hope to attract people who will unwittingly save you. But it never works that way. Your condition is written all over your face, in the hunch of your shoulders, in the hollowness of your laugh. You fool no one."

~David Murosek

10/13/12

My early vote for Word of the Year: meaning

I briefly explored existentialism this year. So far I haven't been able to study the philosophy too much, but I honestly get a healthy fill from An Existential Life and that really gets me through. But following the path of curiosity has still had benefits. A word that I have become a bit hypersensitive to is "meaning" and all of its variations. I read this fantastic article and wanted to share two snippets. I look forward to reading more of Umair Haque's work.

"When meaning comes last, we sleepwalk through our lives, zombies pirouetting in an empty theatre of choice."

"You and I, each and every one of us, have not merely the slack-jawed consumer's need to live pleasurably, but the enduring human responsibility to live lives that matter. Not for the sake of our own evanescent self-gratification, but for the enduring obligation of fulfilling, one tiny act of furious purpose at a time, the humbling privilege of life."

From: Wanting Meaningful Work Is Not a First World Problem October 11, 2012

6/30/12

Turned 30. Thankfully you only do that once.

This June was the month in which I celebrated my 30th birthday. I've been alive for 30 years. I still know nothing, but continue to try and add value and meaning to my existence. I've been told the thirties are the best. I believe it.