What does personal fulfillment mean to you?

[icenine0]

For me, it means finding the will, courage, and conviction to place my ideas into reality; to act on what I believe in.

Unfortunately, I place most of my faith in absolute truths, things I can rely on completely and inalterably. My first impulse after having any sort of theory is to attack it from every conceivable angle. If there's the slightest weakness in ideal or flaw in logic, I'll exploit it to the fullest. I must find the exceptions to every rule, the crushing downfall to any dream. Not out of cynicism, pessimism, or ill will --- quite the opposite. I seek ultimate objectivity, the elimination of every extraneous factor and the revelation of purest truth.

Although I take great pride in this, I also envy those who can be satisfied with everyday life, the land of fast cars and new clothing and beer kegs.

*sigh* Even now I contradict myself. I've enjoyed and do enjoy these things, but I cannot consist of them. And I write like a pretentious nitwit, out of adherence to twelve years of English class.

I basically have two modes of operation: the first, a jovial, carefree observer and the second, a pensive, analytical philosopher. As soon as I find myself in one I yearn for the other... and invariably conclude that neither is what I'm looking for. However, I cannot live as an average man and find any sort of fulfillment.

Therefore, with regard to the first sentence, I resolve to reconcile my two halves and make video games. Ones with real depth of philosophy and character, along the lines of say, Neon Genesis Evangelion. I don't care what anyone says about that series, it was awe-inspiring. /wwwthreads/images/icons/wink.gif

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[Crazy_MYKL]

> Not out of cynicism, pessimism, or
> ill will --- quite the opposite. I seek ultimate
> objectivity, the elimination of every extraneous factor and
> the revelation of purest truth.

I belive that is the true nature of cynicism.

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[HerrSkofild]

well...i dunno...but, if my ideals are broken down into SIMPLEST form, i am a nihilist

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[icenine0]

According to the definitions at http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=cynicismDictionary.com</A>, I wouldn't say it describes me at all. I'm indifferent to what I discount as subjective.

> I belive that is the true nature of cynicism.
>


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[icenine0]

Nihilism... that's an interesting philosophy, although I find it personally destructive to live by.

Whether or not there is any actual meaning to life, people have a need for it.

> well...i dunno...but, if my ideals are broken down into
> SIMPLEST form, i am a nihilist
>


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[Crazy_MYKL]

> > I belive that is the true nature of cynicism.
> >

Dictionary.com is using the modern defeniton, not the original.
<img src=smilies/thumb.gif>

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[Crazy_MYKL]

> Nihilism... that's an interesting philosophy, although I
> find it personally destructive to live by.

> Whether or not there is any actual meaning to life, people
> have a need for it.

I suppose I could be called a nihilist, because I don't believe life has or needs a meaning. But, I do not merely accept my insignifigance, I embrace it. I don't care if my action don't effect everyone. So what?

The secret oof life is to live it.

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[icenine0]

That sounds a bit like existentialism, actually. Like, "I'm insignificant, the universe is pointless, but I'm going to enjoy life while it's here." Cool by me. <img src=smilies/thumb.gif>

I suppose I would adhere to that philosophy myself, but I'm not entirely sure that life is meaningless.

> I suppose I could be called a nihilist, because I don't
> believe life has or needs a meaning. But, I do not merely
> accept my insignifigance, I embrace it. I don't care if my
> action don't effect everyone. So what?


<P ID="signature">The more often you fail, the sweeter the taste of success!</P>

[puduhead]

I don't know. I used to be smarter. The past few years of drinking have made me more party-minded and less analytical. Which is good for me because I used to analyze way too much, looking for meaning in everything and my happiness suffered from it. /wwwthreads/images/icons/smile.gif

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[icenine0]

> I don't know. I used to be smarter. The past few years of
> drinking have made me more party-minded and less analytical.

I don't care, I just wanna know what would make you happy or fulfilled or whatever. If it would be $50 and a van down by the river, so be it. <img src=smilies/magbiggrin.gif>

> Which is good for me because I used to analyze way too
> much, looking for meaning in everything and my happiness
> suffered from it.

Ditto, ditto. I need to tell my mind to shut up sometimes.

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[puduhead]

> I don't care, I just wanna know what would make you happy or
> fulfilled or whatever. If it would be $50 and a van down by
> the river, so be it.

HAha. Nice. ok, damn. You are asking for my deepest, darkest secrets. Well, I envision myself happy, settled down, with stability, love, a home, etc... Hey, I'm getting older, I can't be a lone rebel forever.

> Ditto, ditto. I need to tell my mind to shut up sometimes.

Yeah. what else can I say? yeah.

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[icenine0]

> That seems to be just. Sounds a little like Socrates.

After reading some of his stuff, yeah, I suppose I do sound a bit like him. /wwwthreads/images/icons/smile.gif

However, I usually try to keep my judgements to myself. Socrates often tore down others' ideas and conceptions without offering viable alternatives. I see little value in that. If a person feels genuine happiness, who am I to dispell it?

Basically, I try not to apply my standards to the world and consider myself a sort of oddball. <img src=smilies/cwm11.gif>

> Remind me never to let you view my poetry... I donna wanna
> get chopped to smitherines... LobsterCowboy does that enough
> already.

Have no worries, I wouldn't do that. I actually very much enjoy poetry and don't offer criticism unless it's requested.

> You are definately one of many in this fact. But don't view
> it as a bad thing. Seems to me that the people that get
> farther in life are the ones that think with their mind, not
> their pocketbook.

That's what I'd hope... although it's difficult to be that way when the rest of society seems so different in values.

> *raises hand* Uh huh... Here too. It's good to know that
> you are finding something to do with those two characters of
> emotions... I think I channel mine into my writing. Sucks
> though that the angry bitch side of me writes better than
> the thoughtful wench side.

Groovy, groovy. As of yet, I haven't made any games, but I notice a very distinct difference between my two writing styles.

> It's like having cookies on a shelf I suppose. You know the
> ones on the bottom shelf are good for you, so you find no
> harm in having a bunch of them a day. The ones on the next
> shelf you desire, but can't have them all the time. And the
> ones on the very top shelf only come to you at certain
> times.

Hmmm... interesting analogy. <img src=smilies/laff.gif> I get very few top-shelf cookies because it's hard for me to finish projects. I've got too many brilliant ideas. /wwwthreads/images/icons/tongue.gif

> I don't know... *shrugs* Hope you get to feeling
> better.

Thanks. <img src=smilies/thumb.gif>

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[icenine0]

> But he did so in trying to find his own wisdom.

Yes, true... I might do the very same if I were in his position, and I do attack things that go against my principles, but mostly I pursue a live and let live policy. My chief concern is with understanding philosophies, not destroying them.

> I'm the type of creature that likes her criticism with a bit
> of a compliment. I've always applied the rule that you
> never give more than three bad points to a piece and always
> end with a compliment no matter what.

That sounds like a good policy. You'll get nowhere in helping someone improve their work without a bit of encouragement.

> Don't listen to the rest of society then. Be yourself and
> be happy doing whatever it is that you desire.

I love to do this and, in fact, try to most of the time. However, problems arise in the realms of making cash and interacting with others who don't share my mindset.

For example, I very much enjoy lengthy philosophical discussions, whereas most people find them dreadfully dull. Similarly, I usually abhor small talk, but it's the bread and butter of most people's social lives. I can't expect the world to change for me; therefore, I must adapt.

> Clinically
> insane people are sometimes the happiest among humans. They
> create their own reality and live in it. Sometimes I wonder
> if that itself is the ultimate form of knowledge. To create
> your own world... and flourish within.

That's true, until you have to interact with the real world. Insane people may have caretakers, but most folks don't have that luxury. Sometimes, one has to face up to facts and take care of physical necessities. I know that very well; by nature, I live very much inside my own mind. I'm the sort who will be thinking about a fascinating math problem and walk into oncoming traffic. <img src=smilies/laff.gif> However, I do feel quite content most of the time.

> I've placed at different poetry competitions with the bitch
> voice, but the passive one never gets any attention.
> *shrugs* So, now I just wait until I'm in a bitchy mood to
> write for comp., and save the passive whines for my diary.

Hmmm... As poetry is largely a medium for emotional communication, a poem written with intense feeling usually carries a more powerful message.

> I can never seem to finish anything either. This probably
> has nothing to do with it, but what sign are you? I'm an
> Aries/Pieces cusp.

My birthday's April 26 and I'm a 'Taurus (http://astrology.about.com/library/blfeatures/bltaurus.htm)', though I'd say it's nearly my polar opposite.

"For the Sun placed in earth - life is a world of concrete reality and sensory perception, with roots solidly built on earthy, physical sensations. The Sun in earth feels most comfortable when surrounded with the world of the five senses... With the Sun in Taurus? Whatever cannot be touched, heard, smelled, seen or tasted is either denied or made as concrete and tangible as possible."

The greatest difficulties in my life involve the real and concrete. I'll consistently forget to iron my clothes, load the dishwasher, call people on their birthday, etc. My mind is always exploding with abstraction.

However, if you'd like to read something that I feel describes me very well, examine this INTP (http://typelogic.com/intp.html) description.

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[wingless]

personal fulfillment is very simple for me. as long as i'm living to what i believe in... following my own ideals and beliefs, i never stray far from personal fulfillment. all of this includes being independent. i dont rely on anyone for my happiness or for my ability to live comfortably. i take a lot of pride in the fact that i'm an independent person.

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[icenine0]

> HAha. Nice. ok, damn. You are asking for my deepest,
> darkest secrets. Well, I envision myself happy, settled
> down, with stability, love, a home, etc... Hey, I'm getting
> older, I can't be a lone rebel forever.

Thanks for answering; I wish you the best in achieving those things. <img src=smilies/thumb.gif>

<P ID="signature">The more often you fail, the sweeter the taste of success!</P>

[StormsInHerEyes]

Wow.. Either I'm not picky or very simple minded.. There's only one thing I care about.. the rest of the world can go to shit.. I don't give a damn if I'm about to die of some foreign bubonic plague..
I've got someone unforgettable
that thinks I'm unforgettable too..


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[type_x]

It's a very complex, multi-faceted personal success roadmap. I probably couldn't lay it out here without typing three pages, and I only have one functional hand...<img src=smilies/retard.gif>

I'd say the foremost goals on my life agenda are to bring my creative visions to reality, experience true love again, and make a permanent, positive mark in history with an invaluable contribution. A creation unlike anything the world has ever seen. That would really be the ultimate realization of my first goal.

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[SpaceTiger]

If I knew the answer to that question, I would be most of the way there. <img src=smilies/banghead.gif>

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