What is the meaning of Life?

[Sean1]

This question is something ive pondered often over the last 12 mths. I have just joined this site in trying to seek the answers im looking for. I used to think life was about acquiring material possessions and thus at a young age i strived to succeed and make my mark on the world. I clearly remember my first job over 100 k a yr...i was 19 yrs old and it was alot of money 15yrs ago. To say i was ecstatic was an understatement. As time went on i strived for more 100 k become 150 then 200 then 250k and yet i still wanted more. It was envitable that i would run and manage my own company and i have never been one afraid to take risks, albeit calculated risks. When i first went out on my own it was exciting times...i thought if i can make 10 000 dollars a week ill be happy but that figure came and long since went. Fast forward to now, i have a very successful multinational company and my own profit dividends are over $100 000 a week and yet i am truly lost. Somehow i can still run this company but what most people dont know is that im an alcoholic with a highlevel cocaine habit. In the last yr its cost me my wife and much more. I have the very expensive cars, the houses the boats, theres nothing i cant really buy and yet i feel so very empty. Nothing seems to matter much anymore, i have no goals, nothing to drive me. Im more miserable now then i have ever been and yet i have so much compared to most. I see the young children in 3rd world countries who have nothing and yet theres a smile on their face and i feel ashamed that i have so much and im so ungrateful. Along the way i became ruthless and greedy and when i look in the mirror i despise the man ive become. I often now contemplate what the meaning of life is...because i feel i no longer want to be part of it. We are born, we live and inevitably one day we die. What is the grand plan for us? Knowing what i know now i would trade all i have to be truly happy and live a meagre existence. I feel i have lost the motivation and the will to live and im not afraid of that, though i know i should be. How can i find the strength to endure and maybe truly understand the true meaning of life, because despite what lots of people may think money does not bring happiness. It gives you choices and that is all.

[Idek]

Wow! Literally everyday my friends and I discuss about this and it's very interesting to see all of their unique perspectives on this. Personally, I believe the purpose of life is just to live it. This concept is definitely plain and simple. Just living in the present not in your thought, doing your best, being kind and also positively impacting other people's lives- as I also believe things happen for a reason, just like they were going to and just like they were supposed to (so basically we enter people's lives for certain reasons). While a friend on the bus was chatting to me about how she believes it's to find your 'soul mate' or your other to then create a new generation in your family. While another person was questioning why heaven and hell would even exist as we would only spend a tiny time of our existence on Earth to then spend eternity in either hell or heaven (if you believe in them that is). So the fact is, the meaning of life is up to you. It's truly what you make it. I guess I hope this helped in a way lol.

[geoff]

hi Sean, this is a question which I'm sure everyone asks themselves at some point in time, but over their time it would be continually asked, maybe at different periods it completely changes, we may also argue about what other people think it means, but for everyone it has a different meaning.
You have risen through the ranks to the boss of a multinational company and now you're there you need alcohol and drugs to give you that buzz which you have lost, but that could be your downfall eventually.
If you look at Buzz Aldrin's career, what could he do after he walked on the moon, probably his greatest wish, well you can't go any higher than achieving what he has done, well he became depressed as well being an alcoholic to get the 'buzz', sorry, out of a life that meant nothing anymore.
It's no different than my BIL who was a solicitor who's aim was to have the biggest company in Melb, he paid off his associates mortgages, bought properties and went on lavish lunches that extended into the afternoon, but he went bankrupt not once but twice, lost his marriage as well as his identity and also turned to alcohol, so if you ask him or Buzz what is the meaning of live their opinion would have changed several times.
You have done well, there's no doubt about that and I congratulate you, but now you have lost sight of what you want to do, sure you could buy and then built up another company, but is this what you really want to do, maybe but I'm not sure because at the end are you satisfied, because the alcohol and the drugs won't improve your meaning of life, they will only make life much harder for you, but you're too talented to lose this ability. Geoff.

[Sean1]

Just reporting back...ive gone into rehab and havent had a drink or drug in 6 days. Its been incredibly hard but i know its what needs to be done. I had actually lost the will to live and knew if i didnt get better quickly i would be not long of this earth. Its given me the time to reflect on many things and i find myself with a burning desire to beat these ills in my life. I have one of the strongest wills i know which has led me to be very successful, but i lost the ability to fight my own inner demons which nearly extinguished my life. I feel very positive that i will defeat this and am channelling all i have into my recovery. I found great peace in some of the words that you have wrote in reply to my question. I thankyou all for your advice and i feel these past few days i am getting stronger and stronger.

Thanks Sean

[Zeal]

Hi Sean,

I'm so glad you've had great support on this thread. After reading your latest post, I was impressed by your determination and strength to get better. Going to a rehab centre is something that takes courage and commitment, and not having touched drugs or alcohol in almost a week is fantastic. You can definitely work through this difficult time, with the support of professionals and loved ones.

Best wishes,

Zeal

[Starwolf]

Sean, thank you for making my day and a standing ovation to you...

You are an inspiration. I have the feeling those inner demons have picked the wrong host.

Please keep in mind that whenever you need it, we'll be here to support and cheer you on.

[White_Rose]

Dear Sean

This is a great statement of commitment. I feel sure that with the determination you have shown, you will beat these demons. I am so pleased you feel you have been helped by the folk on BB. When you leave rehab perhaps you will return to BB and talk to others who are looking at the rehab question but afraid of the struggle.

Or maybe you can continue to write in here and keep us up to date with your successes.

Mary