Anyone else have life affirming moments?

musicismylife78musicismylife78 Posts: 6,116
edited March 2008 in All Encompassing Trip
I have been having multiple life affirming moments this past year or so.

Do you ever just go on a hike or a walk around the block or just head outside and marvel at the beauty of the simple things, the sun, the flowers, the trees, the smells etc… This has happened to me, several times, just appreciating the world and the now and what is. Going on a walk around the block, and seeing the sun set and feeling the wind through your hair, its just so beautiful. In Vanilla Sky, Tom Cruise says “it’s the little things, there isn’t anything bigger”. Could be one of the most profound statements in film in the last 10-15 years. It is the little things, that make life worth living. There is a lot of sadness in the world, a lot of violence, hate and war. Its tough to conceive and think about the affect of the war in iraq and how out of control the global climate crisis is. But there is also a lot of great beauty in the world. Its important to reflect on both, the beauty and the sadness.

Or maybe it’s a movie or a cd or a concert, where you feel like your life has been altered and changed by it. For me, Arcade Fire, last year and Josh Radin this year have been just that. Those types of concerts are the reason we all listen to music, it’s the hope that every time we listen to a new band or go to a new concert, we hope that it could be THE BAND for us, and that the night could alter us. It’s the feeling of floating out of the concert venue instead of walking out. And it’s the feeling one gets, a natural high, a feeling that wont let you get to sleep for hours after a mindblowing concert. Its seeing Into The Wild and feeling inspired, I felt like I could fly after seeing that movie. Its all those things.

Or its an event, that makes you see the world in a new manner. For me, I had a breakdown of sorts, a quarter life crisis, a personal crisis, its been tough and hard, I have never felt more confused and lost in my life, but its also been the greatest thing to ever happen to me. Before, I didn’t pay attention to life, I wasn’t trying new things, I wasn’t living life. Now, it feels like I am impulsive and taking risks and just trying new things. It was like a wakeup call, that I shouldn’t waste my life.

These are all the things that make life worth living.

Anyone else have similar experiences?
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • ajedigeckoajedigecko \m/deplorable af \m/ Posts: 2,430
    yes to many of the examples you listed....and i pray each night for all the things i take for granted.
    live and let live...unless it violates the pearligious doctrine.
  • comebackwomancomebackwoman Posts: 7,271
    I have felt that way...sometimes where i just feel completely alive and loving it...walking in the park during spring...and it may seem cliche...but at PJ concerts I really feel it
    There's a light when my baby's in my arms :)
  • PJGARDENPJGARDEN Posts: 1,484
    I agree with alomst everything you said. I've kinda been going through the same thing lately. I think I have finally figured out that I have to put myself first and my life first.

    Pearl Jam is that band for me. I have been to so many concerts but I have never left any of them feeling the same way I feel after a PJ show. Its an amazing feeling:)
  • KushikushunKushikushun Posts: 1,263
    Oh yes to all you are saying here! And the first PJ concert I saw blew me away!!! All that energy floating back and forth, wow.

    The only trouble is that when I feel so inspired I do not know how to use that energy. I want to create things and give that inspiration back, but it is so hard to put those feelings down in words or images...

    I have started a film course now to see if thats the medium that works for me.

    If I catch it on tape I will show it to you!

    Take Care.
    Why not be mediocre and be the best at it that you can be?
  • brainofmebrainofme Posts: 231
    The only trouble is that when I feel so inspired I do not know how to use that energy. I want to create things and give that inspiration back, but it is so hard to put those feelings down in words or images...


    wow, i so know this feeling! sometimes i feel so inspired that i need to paint a picture or something, but the result never really satisfies me, or there's no chance to "create" something in that special moment. so frustrating.

    hope you find a way!



    to the topic in general:
    isn't it sad that these moments don't last forever? everyday life always gets me back to reality. another problem is that i often feel that i'm my biggest enemy when it comes to living life the way i want to/should.

    For me, I had a breakdown of sorts, a quarter life crisis, a personal crisis, its been tough and hard, I have never felt more confused and lost in my life, but its also been the greatest thing to ever happen to me. Before, I didn’t pay attention to life, I wasn’t trying new things, I wasn’t living life. Now, it feels like I am impulsive and taking risks and just trying new things. It was like a wakeup call, that I shouldn’t waste my life.

    These are all the things that make life worth living.


    congratulations to you that you found a way to live your life like it should be lived. i'm still searching ;-)

    btw, your sig is great. totally my intentions, but as i said, not figured it out yet.
    Vienna, Austria 2006
    Munich, Germany 2007
  • CollinCollin Posts: 4,931
    I know what you mean. But then the world just sort of knocks me down again. But eventually I'll see something small, something absolutely wonderful again...

    Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey in American Beauty) describes that feeling, Ricky Fitts too in American Beauty.
    THANK YOU, LOSTDAWG!


    naděje umírá poslední
  • stargirl69stargirl69 Posts: 6,387
    The most memorable time this happened to me was on a very cold stormy day in October on a visit to Orkney.I was standing on the edge of the cliff looking over at the Old Man of Hoy (a ancient rock that was originally part of the mainland but had eroded to a stand alone rock) the waves were crashing up and the wind was howling.
    I was suddenly faced with the realisation of mortality and that the stone will still be there thousands of years after Ive gone.
    It was an utterly humbling experience and feel priviledged that I had it.
    “There should be a place where only the things you want to happen, happen”
  • Ms. HaikuMs. Haiku Washington DC Posts: 7,265
    The best moments for me involve walking and sunsets; or running and music; or a cup of coffee and exquisite fiction writing.
    There is no such thing as leftover pizza. There is now pizza and later pizza. - anonymous
    The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird
  • Heineken HelenHeineken Helen Posts: 18,095
    beautiful post and I absolutely 100% agree :o

    I'm so thankful for those moments when you're reminded that there IS something else.
    The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
    Verona??? it's all surmountable
    Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
    Wembley? We all believe!
    Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
    Chicago 07? And love
    What a different life
    Had I not found this love with you
  • spongersponger Posts: 3,159
    When I was around 16 or so I was scuba diving off of la jolla on what was one of the best days for visibility in recent history.

    It was just as clear as it could possibly get for southern california, which isn't a place especially known for spectacular diving conditions.

    Anyhow at some point I noticed a large something or other hovering along the sea floor. I dropped down to get a closer look and it turned out to be what I am pretty certain was a nurse shark.

    It was a rather large nurse shark. It was definitely longer in length than I am in height and it was needless to say a very beautiful looking fish.

    Thinking that nurse sharks are harmless, I decided to drop in even closer just to see how close it would let me get before bailing.

    Anyway, I was dropping in pretty close actually. I remember stopping at some point and thinking wow I can't believe I'm this close to this huge nurse shark.

    At some point I thought I could actually get in close enough to pet it, but then poof it was gone in a cloud of dust, in which I was totally enveloped.

    In actuality, nurse sharks are not totally harmless. They have been known to attack when provoked. If I had known this, I would've stayed out of its way.

    But, yeah, that's high on my list of moments that have really stuck out in my mind in a positive way.
  • brainofme wrote:
    wow, i so know this feeling! sometimes i feel so inspired that i need to paint a picture or something, but the result never really satisfies me, or there's no chance to "create" something in that special moment. so frustrating.

    I'm the same way, something will hit me, and i want to act on it, but i haven't had the talent to back it up.

    Last year i was at a 311 concert and during one song, I got this image stuck in my head of a sunset over water, and i wanted to paint that. I tried to keep it simple enough for me to complete the picture, but it didn't look right...

    I love it when these events happen, but they always happen when i am in a place where i cant act on it the way i would like. Then the feeling fades before i can put all of my ideas on paper and capture the moment and the feeling.
    -one thing to remember, always have a good time, all the time
  • Get_RightGet_Right Posts: 13,178
    every time I flip past the news or Jerry Springer

    I am reminded of how much I have, and not what I dont
  • chiquimonkeychiquimonkey Posts: 9,337
    very cool thread.

    i love those little moments, the ones that give perspective or a chance to catch one's breath before going back under. they can be so fleeting, the good moments....nothing lasts, that applies to both the good, and thankfully to the bad as well. the good ones help ease the time while waiting for the bad to pass.

    i love the moment of being inspired, it does suck when it happens when you can't do something about it! i can't keep track of how many times i've doodled a drawing idea at work while on hold or scribbled on a note pad when the moment strikes. seizing the moment i guess is a good adage for anything :)
  • Every time I sit down on the toilet is a life-affirming moment
  • chadwickchadwick up my ass Posts: 21,157
    This is what it is for me about everyday.
    Some days are better than others, that's a given for everyone.

    We can choose which path every moment to moment breath.
    Choices, goals, simplicity.
    Life the magical one.
    Simplicity is fantastic, I dwell in simplicity.
    Carefree without a care in the entire universe, that's me.
    It is all one, we.



    oh i have deep cares and loves and these thing bleed.
    anything less means zero to me.
    (well except a few personal items from my dad)and i guess they bleed too.
    or bled.
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "Hear me, my chiefs!
    I am tired; my heart is
    sick and sad. From where
    the sun stands I will fight
    no more forever."

    Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
  • prismprism Posts: 2,440
    yep...a good many in the last 9-10 months or so in particular. the latest one being just last night after floating out of the Centre in Vancouver...ahhhh infuckingcredible...total awesomeness. :) I still can't wipe the grin from my face :D
    *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    angels share laughter
    *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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