what is your inspiration day-to-day?

[file cabinet]

I'm at a loss for what mine is but maybe you know what yours is?

[Hypnos]

Before, it was "ass kicking". Now, that's just plain fun, not a purpose of being.

I've been thinking about it ... there's a contentment and unity with the world I get on my motorcycle. And I am moved by the depiction of infinity in Bruckner and the sensory experience of that rare filet mignon. But the "wholeness" evades me.

Yet, when you're leaned over in a 70MPH sweeper, there is an elegance in the melding of road, man and machine -- makes one feel special :).

The Nietzschean view is that what made me happy was not that the world conspired to serve me, but that the metaphor pointed towards my own potency, my action as a being. Some might criticize this view as teleological (metaphysical purpose/essentialism), but I think a biological approximation holds water .... I have this big forebrain which seems to abstract basic types, and it is expressed in art, technology and other exercises ... I create, and so possibility is the affirmation of life itself.

So, a transcendent goal is the highest possible conception of this possibility ... a self-mastery/action to strive towards. By definition, I will never attain it, but in the finite goals approaching it I am whole -- that same elegance as on the bike is the fiber of my entire life.

[Lee]

What inspiration.

[euterpenc]

I only get inspired when talking about theoretical physics and metaphysics.

[garak]

Happiness

[nonsequitur]

i get the "unity" thing that Hypnos is talking about. i personally get that feeling when i'm working in the lab. everything seems to fall away except for my purpose, my focus. that's when i knew what i wanted to do for the rest of my life.

as for quotes and stuff.. well, these change almost daily, because i get bored. besides, my inspiration mainly comes from what i love - philosophy, literature, the sciences - almost anything and everything.

[Watermark]

... I create, and so possibility is the affirmation of life itself.

Elegant. Your whole post is inspirational. Kinda wish I was on the motorcycle at the moment. But, yes, what you write sums it up for me.

[Sally]

I try to live each day without regret.


Before, it was "ass kicking". Now, that's just plain fun, not a purpose of being.

^ and what hypnos said. :)

Contemplating my obsession du jour also brings me joy.

[MaroonBells]

I'm at a loss for what mine is but maybe you know what yours is?

Every night when I come home, a little blond 3-year-old girl waits for me in her pink dress and asks me shyly:

"dada, wanna dance wis me?!"...

[CosmicDust]

I want to gain wisdom and balance.

[Shai Gar]

enlightenment, and getting laid

[Phenylethylene]

That tomorrow may be the day I get my shit together. That maybe I'll follow through on an idea even though I have doubts about its viability. That I will find a job advertisement that reads "Looking for someone to research and design systems in varying subject areas, requires learning something entirely new on a weekly basis. Degree optional. No dress code. Meetings rare. Come and go as you like." That a financial windfall will allow me to Retire Early. That I will move to a city with some culture and a few good science, art, and natural history museums. That I may go take some photos or write a screen play. That I will stop being so self-conscious. That I find at least one person to discuss ideas with. That I summon up the energy to stop wishing and start doing.

That's pretty much my daily wish list, currently.

Edit: Ah, this is in the Philosphy and spirituality section. In that case:

wisdom and balance.
as well as perspective and internal peace.

[Eileen]

faith that I am not alone. this has multiple levels. 1--that there is a higher power that loves and i am touched by that love and 2--that despite the fact that i am not physically near most of them anymore, i have dear friends who understand me or know how to try to understand me, with whom i have the most edifying conversations and feel touched by that aforementioned higher power's love.

[Serotonin]

Music and literature.

The vast fabric of existence, and the fact that commonalities between seemingly disparate ideas and people can weave through each other like threads.

[Helios]

Well clearly I don't fucking have any or I wouldn't be online bleeding like an emotionally sliced pig.

Now, if we wanna talk about coping and distractions I can play!

[LuridLemur]

I want to figure out why I have trouble understanding my existence. I don't believe there is any purpose, but it's hard for me to justify getting up every day for a little thing like school when I am a tiny insignificant speck in an always expanding universe. I am not trying to discover a "purpose" for my life, I just want to figure out why it makes no sense to me.

I guess my inspiration is the seeking of true inspiration, however odd that may sound. I don't think I will be capable of anything important to me until I have figured this out.

[Hypnos]

DotBomb,

Check out my post (2nd of the thread), if you haven't. I am a nihilist, in that there is no God and the universe is just a playground, not an obstacle course or test.

[Helios]

So then you think life is pointless? Pass the Kool-Aid please!

[philonightmare]

My imagination. I often fall into a pleasant trap of recalling past memories and thinking of what's to come --conjoining the two to study the patterns and decipher hidden meanings behind actions, words, and objects that were present in those memories.

I find the most meaning in the things that people I care about say to me. I don't talk that much and when people speak to me, I remember almost everything they say because often they will have mentioned something similar not too long ago, or they will say it in the future, and I like the feeling I get while studying the repetitions. (There is SO much meaning in this world in the form of symbols. Honestly, It's quite beautiful to me :) )

My inspiration in the form of imagination serves a practical purpose too since I can then recall past conversations/actions and the atmosphere (<--very important) in which the interactions took place. I mull over these endlessly and find peace with myself the more I do so. I love to analyze, and my imagination often gives me insights that even I sometimes cannot recall having "seen" before anywhere, so where did that inspiration come from? I often don't know, but after studying them for long enough, and with enough intensity, I can come to conclusions that continue to inspire me evermore.

Very cyclical. :)

[Hypnos]

So then you think life is pointless? Pass the Kool-Aid please!
Who me? Hardly. Existence is what you make of it -- affirm your life with action.

[Helios]

but if there is nothing more to this than what we do inside our fleeting time on earth, it is all rather meaningless. If I save millions of lives, or kill millions in 30,000 year none of it will matter! It is all no more than a video game or something.

[Hypnos]

It might matter to you.

[Serotonin]

but if there is nothing more to this than what we do inside our fleeting time on earth, it is all rather meaningless. If I save millions of lives, or kill millions in 30,000 year none of it will matter! It is all no more than a video game or something.

You're hard to please. You're also ripe for evangelising to if you have that sort of attitude. Watch out for that PriorityLove :P

[LuridLemur]

I'm having a hard time explaining myself. I am also a nihilist and I strongly believe, like you said, that there is no God and the universe is a playground. What I'm having difficulties with is that, despite my beliefs, I'm still depressed, can't find motivation for anything, and I still feel like I need some kind of purpose. I really can't put this into words well, but I don't believe in purpose and am saddened that I will never have one.

Now I'm not making sense.


*passes the kool-aid*

[Helios]

He is just full of newly converted zeal, I just hope it survives the trials that reallity will hurl at him (and it).

I think sometimes we don't want an answer (or like those who think they have one) since we can find endless freedom in ambiguity.

[Hypnos]

Helios, are you talking about me again?

DotBomb, I reached my conclusion on the basis of the little things that fill me with joy, which I described in my post. The principle I propose unifies these elements, and will clue me into future joyful things.

[Helios]

I was sorta replying to Serotonin at first, but then kinda drifted into thinking outloud, it is past my bedtimem so I am getting less lucid, but you are free to reply as you see fit. Worst case is I fall asleep and catch ya tomr!

[LuridLemur]

Helios, are you talking about me again?

DotBomb, I reached my conclusion on the basis of the little things that fill me with joy, which I described in my post. The principle I propose unifies these elements, and will clue me into future joyful things.
Great first post btw, I really like your take on the subject.

[Mr. Good Beats]

inspiration... you mean the stuff that gets you out of bed in the morning? well that'd be a sore back or tired of laying down for me... i am wandering through life quite aimlessly which i am getting tired of but can not seem to change... i think about the future too much and constantly wonder if i will ever not feel alone... so perhaps my inspiration is to find a connection with someone.
why does life have to be so simple yet so fucking hard and confusing at the same time? god i gotta get my ass licked

[cathmc]

Day-to-day? I guess I'm inspired by observing new things, understanding something I didn't understand yesterday, having new ideas.
And I'll throw my hat in the 'music and literature (and other forms of cultural expression)' ring - unfortunately I'm a consumer, not a creator, of these.
Also the 'friends and family' ring. Great comfort in an inner circle of people

[Johnny]

Hunger, fatigue, sexual attraction, apprehendible patterns, and others inspire me.

I'm sure there's more that I've not thought about or forgot.

Walking into a cold office day-to-day inspires me to find my jacket. No preparations or worries necessary.

[One]

believing that life is worth living, even though at times I really just want to give up.

gotta have that faith huh?

[nobarcode]

I can be inspired by almost anything, but usually requires that I do something emotional, physical, maybe even metaphysical in order to have any sensation of it.

[Bill_Zenn]

DotBomb,

Check out my post (2nd of the thread), if you haven't. I am a nihilist, in that there is no God and the universe is just a playground, not an obstacle course or test.

"Nietzsche defined the term [Nihilism] as any philosophy that, rejecting the real world around us and physical existence along with it, results in an apathy toward life and a poisoning of the human soul — and opposed it vehemently."

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nihilism as well as a close reading of his works. Just thought I'd point that out.

[Hypnos]

Bill_Zenn:

Perhaps, "existentialist" is more appropriate than "nihilist" in the sense meant.

Thanks.

[Bill_Zenn]

Bill_Zenn:

Perhaps, "existentialist" is more appropriate than "nihilist" in the sense meant.

Thanks.

Sure thing. I'm a fan of 'ole Uncle Fred myself. :)

It's actually quite a common tag put on him for some reason. Lots of academics have labeled Nietzsche a nihilist I think mostly because of his (in)famous proclamation (through the mouth of Zarathustra) that "God is dead". But N. himself didn't have many nice things to say about nihilism.

[Spartan26]

Too often I don't have a sense of daily inspiration. It's easy to think today will be as inconsequential as the last and I think that adds to the duldroms or even feelings of worthlessness or despair, feeling trapped. Well, I don't know if I think that but not thinking the day will be one of record produces the same results.

I aspire to have creative work of legacy. Also, to help and/or inspire people. I do better when I know I have something specific on the calendar, like tutoring some kids after school or going to a networking party or mixer.

I do better when I have devotional time in the morning beyond my standard prayer of 'please keep me from screwing anything up on the job. Amen' I'll pray for opportunity and then not to shy away from it when it comes.

Which is not to say that I'm not moved by fleshly reasons. Hmmm, might have to meet with Lyndi in publicity or go over wire transfers with Michelle in accounting, I better shave tonight and make sure my shirt's ironed.' Or, 'What? Catherine was asking about me? She doesn't have a boyfriend? Crud, I'm gonna have to do some laps after work. Get rid of this rich, nougatty area around my mid section.'

[AcidGoethe]

Sex, drugs and rock n' roll

[Jacque]

Whatever infiltrates my emotions through entertainment. By time it wears off, I should be nonexistent. Living day-to-day is much easier than living past-to-future. A day you can escape, but a past you must endure, and the future you must neglect. Yes, inspiration is for today, taken in the mourning, noon, and evening and then again tomorrow. But for tommorrow's tomorrow and yester-yesterdays, nothing. The past is dead and future is doomed. There is nothing to eat there.