EDIT: This was posted in Philosophy and Meaning. It somehow got moved here.
I’ve been through a year of deep existential depression. I feel that I’ve come out of it with some realizations. The 1st is, if there is no inherent meaning, I should enjoy life’s pleasures to the fullest. Anything else is a waste of my time. 2nd, I cannot react negatively to the behavior of others. The person that has the biggest effect on is me. I cannot let myself be a raging cynic. Even if I am outcast for my rationality, intelligence, and abilities, rebelling against this will make me a person I don’t want to be around. 3rd, I need to embrace the opportunities available to a diehard socialist. I cannot lament that I don’t have access to employment I don’t actually desire. I need to find contentment in being a janitor or a grocery store clerk. 4th, I cannot drink alcohol, smoke tobacco, or indulge in sexual fantasies to give me a dopamine rush. These activities create physical and mental health problems for me rather than provide long term relief.
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4 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Sounds like someone has been using ayahuasca and gaining insight.
birdingnut
Level 8
May 10, 2019
0
@Fred_Snerd I was going to mention LSD, since it also brings insight. Oklahoma schools don't require drug testing for staff..yet. You'd have to get a doctor to endorse you for medical cannabis, and the application is $100 for Oklahoma, but only $20 if you are on Medicare.
Here in New Mexico, it costs me $30 a bottle for a month's supply of high THC Indicus cannabis oil (to kill cancer cells and stop pain), so it's cheaper than making the cannabis oil myself.
@Fred_Snerd "The policy adopted by the Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education on Monday shields any public school employee from adverse action should they hold a medical cannabis license. In other words, you won’t lose your job or the chance at a promotion because you consume cannabis for medical reasons. But teachers, administrators and all other staff cannot possess or consume medical cannabis at school or during school hours, regardless of whether or not they hold a license."
@Fred_Snerd The policy I posted to you was only adopted on Monday.
@Fred_Snerd That's all I googled, but you can do so.
Sounds as if you've come through an awful time and are now living according to a self-created plan. I admire you for putting it together and wish you every success in making it all work!
LucyLoohoo
Level 9
May 10, 2019
0
The 1st is, if there is no inherent meaning, I should enjoy life’s pleasures to the fullest.
4th, I cannot drink alcohol, smoke tobacco, or indulge in sexual fantasies to give me a dopamine rush.
These seem contradicting, to me. 2 of those 3 (to me at least) are life's pleasures to be enjoyed. Lots and lots of things you enjoy give a dopamine rush (including falling in love) and experiancing lifes pleasures to the fullest without dopamine would be impossible, since that's one of the chemicals that let's you know you're enjoying something.
1of5
Level 8
May 10, 2019
0
1of5:
@Fred_Snerd you cannot realise pleasure without knowing pain, you cannot experience joy without knowing sorrow.
Limiting one side limits the other. Life isn't a plateau, it's a series of peaks and valleys.
1of5:
@Fred_Snerd it's called how life works, and I hope it starts working for you.
Good luck figuring things out.
1of5:
@Fred_Snerd I'm wishing it to you because I think you'll need it. Luck is shorthand for random events benifiting you.
1of5:
@Fred_Snerd very true. That's why I'm wishing you luck, because random events have tremendiousl influence on your happiness, and also in figuring out what actually makes you happy.
1of5:
@Fred_Snerd in my 56 I think I have also. Also, like you, I spent years with an ex that worked to destroy me. IT FUCKS YOU UP. I spent 5 years afterwards figuring things out for myself and at one point thought excatelly as you currently are.
After a particularly long and deep valley a stable plateau of consistent feelings/emotions/happiness sounds ideal. It isn't. It's stagnation, and it's really, really bad for you as a way of life. As a temporary shelter it's fine, and sometimes necessary.
Like I said, I hope beneficial random events help you to discover lifelong happiness.
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