Death Wish

I tremble at the thought that millions of people suffer enough to entertain a death wish. Perhaps it is as common a component of the psyche as suffering is a widespread phenomenon among humans. I suppose it is normally counterbalanced by the appetite for life, which joy and hope can whet, but is it ever overturned? Probably not, at least not for long, and that worries me. Could numerous instances of big-risk-taking be death-wish-related? Overeating, smoking, speeding, every human deed that is potentially lethal, including war, may be symptomatic of a death wish, all the more pernicious as it is usually denied or concealed behind other motives.

Why do people insist on denying or concealing it? Because they are rightfully ashamed of it! Think of the insanity: Without their knowing and approving it, their death wish may harm them and aggravate their suffering, in which case it would intensify, then probably harm them again and aggravate their suffering, and so on and so forth until it destroyed them. Is it not imperative that they break out of this vicious circle? Should they not humbly recognize their self-destructive weakness in the face of suffering? Should they not fight this weakness with every bit of strength they can gather, in the name of all the things that matter to them?

May they spare themselves the shame of wrecking the very life that makes all these things possible, not by a devious means that disguises a self-inflicted tragedy as a cruel twist of fate, but through their courageous and generous effort to live and love in spite of difficulties! As the particular individuals they are, their existence is their one and only opportunity to experience and contemplate the awesome and fleeting beauty of the world, and prove worthy. May they grasp this opportunity before it slips away from them! They will die soon enough.

Some of them may disagree. I know how disgusted with life and tempted by death one can be. This knowledge almost killed me. I also know one can learn to love life and commit oneself to it. This second knowledge reveals the nature of the first one, which is in fact a state of ignorance and foolishness. I speak from experience and endorse this proverb: Every cloud has a silver lining. Misery contains a possibility of happiness.

Allow me to qualify this statement. Life is rarely desperate. One can usually bring about the changes that are favorable to contentment, if one strives for them. These changes may concern mostly one's attitude toward a difficult situation that is largely unchangeable. A smile is a sunlike wonder reminiscent of a dandelion that can blossom and multiply on practically barren ground despite countless rigors.

Laurent Grenier's writing career spans over twenty years. During this time he has broadened and deepened his worldview, by dint of much reflection and study, and in the end has crafted "A Reason for Living," his best work to date.

Official web site: http://laurentgrenier.com/ARFL.html

---

Basic Buddhism - Doing What is Right

I find of particular interest in the Eastern Religions many threads that survive in other, later, belief systems. Not only do they survive in textual fact, but they seem to be super relevant... Read More

What If?

What If? What if I can't? What If I can? What I should be thinking Is it in God's plan?What if I couldn't? What if I could? Then I start... Read More

Timepieces

Direct Answers - Column for the week of June 2, 2003I am a father of three teenagers. The older boy and girl are obedient, good at their studies, and helpful around the home.... Read More

Four Words that Make Life Worthwhile

Over the years as I've sought out ideas, principles and strategies to life's challenges, I've come across four simple words that can make living worthwhile.First, life is worthwhile if you Learn. What you... Read More

The Most Important Investment You Can Make For Your Old Age - And No, Its Not Money!

When I was twenty-two, I was befriended by a woman named Doris who was thirty years older than I was. Although Doris was then a fifty-two year old woman, she did not feel... Read More

Brilliant Autumn: Reaping a Bounteous Harvest

"But if in your thought you must measure time into seasons, let each season encircle all the other seasons, And let today embrace the past with remembrance and the future with longing." -... Read More

Work In Progress: 10 Benefits of Not Knowing It All

1. You can relax and enjoy your life more if you don't expect yourself to have all the skills, knowledge, and wisdom to carry you forward into the future.2. You can open your... Read More

The Pursuit of Greatness

On June 3rd, 1948, a blast rocked the Black Hills of South Dakota. Ten tons of stone were dislodged from the mountainside and tumbled to the earth below. Earlier that day, a man... Read More

Get Your Guidance and Get to Know Your True Self

Many people feel they have everything they need in life, yet happiness remains elusive. What is the key, the missing element when everything seems satisfactory externally? The answer: look within.Being connected to your... Read More

Circles On The Water ? The Impact You Make On People?s Lives

When you were a child, or maybe even when you were older, did you ever toss a pebble into the water and watch the ripples that emanated from the point where it broke... Read More

Number that Decides Your Success

God has created human beings to live successfully. He has no discrimination in this regard.At the same time he has also created certain resources to live successfully.Of these "number" is the one resource.It... Read More

What is the Meaning of Life?

A young man in search of enlightenment had traveled to Tibet at great expense and more than a little consternation amongst his family and friends. It was a week before he was allowed... Read More

No More Frustration: The Thorns of Opportunity - Part I

The Thorns of Opportunity...What are you trying so hard to do?Do you ever find yourself saying "If I just had a little more time life would be great!" or asking "Where did all... Read More

The Dot

We have all grown up in an age where exploration into dramatic new territory has become routine. We have had people travel into space to live for short periods of time. We have... Read More

Good Morning... Please...Thank-you!!

When I was a child, I remember that my parents instilled these words into my brain. At first, it seemed difficult to remember these 3 little phrases and I had to be constantly... Read More

Dream Board

DREAM IT, CREATE IT, BECOME ITIf you've been reading my newsletter for awhile, you know that I continue to incorporate and teach the 'how to' principles behind successfully achieving our goals and dreams.... Read More

Take Out Time -- To Just Be Thankful

While sitting here tonight, watching the conclusion of "There Are No Children Here," my heart pulsated as I heard a little innocent boy say, "When I wake up in the morning, I feel... Read More

Lock In Your Legacy

You, my friend, are going to die.What? What kind of motivational tool is that? Real inspiring!In fact, it is. Our mortality may perhaps be the ultimate inspiration and motivation! If we lived on... Read More

Repeat Offender

Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 8, 2002I am a 26-year-old escort, in the business on and off since I was 14. I have a tendency to get involved in... Read More

The Power of the Tongue

There is an old proverb with a lot of wisdom. It says, "The tongue has the power of life and death, and whoever loves it will eat its fruit."It is so true. What... Read More

The Power Of A Dream - Success Always Start Off With A Dream

Back in the good old days of school, the teachers would often catch us for daydreaming in class and not paying attention. "Stop dreaming! Dreaming will get you nowhere," yelled the teacher. Is... Read More

Love and Courage

To [many] work is not a gratifying opportunity to do good, but a necessary evil they would gladly forgo if they won or inherited a fortune. It is just a livelihood, a vital... Read More

Fear, Faith, and Believing vs. Knowing

Fear is deeply rooted in uncertainty. Think about it; the only you've ever feared was the unknown. All fear and fears humans have experienced and continue to experience is rooted in uncertainty. A... Read More

Abundance Is A Life Style

Abundance is a life style, a way of living your life. Itisn't something you buy now and then or pull down from thecupboard, dust off and use once or twice, and then return... Read More

The Finer, and Finest, Things in Life

In America, we have a saying: The finer things in life. These are the things that most people talk about when they are speaking of thing of high quality. In fact, much of... Read More

The Rumble in the Jungle: Revealing Greatness

The other night I was watching a documentary on that famous boxing match called The Rumble in the Jungle. The fight was between Muhammad Ali (Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee)... Read More

Built in Judge

In this world we don't have to afraid to anybody except to only one. Who is it? Where is it?It is nowhere else. But it is within us.It witnesses all our action and... Read More

Recognize the Perfect Realtor

As soon as you have launched a strong desire, the answer is on its way. In that moment the Universe/God begins to orchestrate every person, event, and resource necessary to fulfill your desire.Once... Read More

Hope For Those Sexually Abused As Children

PART 1: Warning - This article may be inappropriate for younger readers. Please seek the permission of a parent or guardian before reading further.Lately, I'm hearing a lot about suicide or suicide attempts.... Read More