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What makes life worth living?

Loving connections with family members, friends and others also make life worth living. Relationships give opportunities to practice love, kindness, humility and patience. Service to people we may never even meet brings connection, meaning and joy.

rgj.com - Faith Forum: What makes life worth living? - Reno Gazette-Journal

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Reno Gazette-Journal

What makes life worth living?

Taoist text Lieh-Tzu (The Classic of Complete Emptiness), compiled between 5th century BCE to 4th century CE, points out: The longest life is only 100 years, and not one in a thousand live that long. But even if one does do so, half of that is lost in infancy and senility; of the other half, half of that is lost in sleep at night and dozing by day. And almost half of the rest is lost in pain, illness, sorrow and bereavement. Of the ten remaining years, about one hour is free from the slightest worry. So what is life for? Life is for beauty and wealth and sound and color; and even those are often forbidden by law.

What is more important in making life worth living—finding joy/humor, playing, achieving goals, improving knowledge, helping others, building relationships, creative acts of painting/writing/inventing/music/etc., religion/spirituality, love, minimal goals, meditation, pursuit, discovering, appreciating every minute, enjoying little things, ups and downs, sex, meaning, yielding to temptations or conquering temptations, hope, mission, stroll on the beach, faith, etc.?

Should our focus be afterlife and proceed accordingly and not to worry/think about present life? Has God already written/planned our lives? Is happiness the aim of life or is making some difference is the purpose? Is life God’s gift and should we just live for God? Maybe life is just a dream.

Some question: Is life really worth living?

We asked our panel of religious leaders of the region the following question: What makes life worth living?

RELATIONSHIPS ARE LIFE

Bradley S. Corbin, Baha’i Teacher

I love being alive! Being human is a unique opportunity for relationships that otherwise would not be possible. Nurturing a connection with the Creator, that is ever expanding and revealed in the love relationships I have with my closest human relatives, my wife, children, brothers and sisters, expanding to the wonderful feeling of being of service to our community. My relation with my cats and they love me - well mostly because I feed them. Breathing in the crisp morning air, smelling the hyacinth and the beauty of the daffodils, as I retrieve the morning paper. Excited by the warmth of the day and I can bring my Harley out of hibernation. Even the challenges of daily life, inspire new ways of thinking and relating beyond the boundaries I thought were impassible. Sensing a profound relationship with all of existence, seen and unseen makes my life worth living!

LOVE FOR GOD, LOVE FOR OTHERS

Bryan J. Smith, Co-Lead Pastor, Summit Christian Church, Sparks

I have yet to meet anyone who wants to get to the end of their life and determine it wasn’t worth living. Many try to find value in various places: relationships, work, education, wealth, etc. There is nothing inherently wrong with any of these. In fact, they are all great pursuits within the proper context. To really understand what makes life worth living we have to go to the words of Jesus. He tells us to love God with all that we are and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40). When we get this right immense value is added to our lives. Our love for God fuels our love for others. We care. We listen. We serve. We engage. We lift others up. It is in these activities that we find value and life worth living.

LIFE'S INTRINSIC VALUES

Kenneth G. Lucey, UNR philosophy/religion professor

There is no single item that makes life worth living. There are a multitude of things that enhance the value of life, and others that detract from it. The famous English philosopher G.E. Moore wrote a respected book entitled Principia Ethica, in which he distinguishes between items of intrinsic value and others of instrumental value. The former are items of value by their very nature, whereas the latter are merely of value for what they can be used to bring about. Beauty has intrinsic value for Moore, whereas a piece of currency is only valuable for what it can be used to purchase. Good health greatly enhances the worth of one’s life, whereas its lack severely diminishes life’s value. Similarly, loving relationships, productive work, comfortable circumstances and enjoyable activities are all intrinsically valuable things that contribute greatly to making life worth living, whereas their lack diminishes the quality of life.

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TO EACH HIS OWN

Muhammed A. Quddus, Northern Nevada Muslim Community Member

Due to bewilderingly varied and subjective nature of what makes life worth living, generalizations about it are sure to be fraught with many challenges. However, on the spectrum of life and death, life seemingly is the preferred option for most people even under the gravest of circumstances. Life offers a tomorrow and the endlessly imaginable possibilities of doing some good for oneself and the society. Most people live to further themselves and to relish meaningful relationships with family and friends. From the Islamic perspective, the real contentment of life encompasses fully following God’s decreed guiding principles of being merciful and compassionate to all living creatures, showing generosity to relatives and the needy, and being just in dealing with all. Steadfastly practicing these commanded values of righteousness is the way to secure a spot in the heaven of eternal peace and tranquility—the ultimate reward worth living for and striving toward.

LOVE

Monique Jacobs, Director of Faith Formation, Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno

Recently, I’ve been talking to people about love. I’ve only met a few who are clear as to what love is or means. Many people can point to signs of love either absent or present – but are ambivalent beyond that. Yet for me, love is my reason for living. I’m not saying I can define love 100% to my own satisfaction, or that I love well, or that I am always open to being loved but I am utterly willing to keep learning and discovering. Love motivates me to go beyond self-imposed limits. Love informs my hope for the future. Love is mysterious and creative – just like God is. Love reminds me that the best plans involve some surrender to the unknown. If something is my purpose for living then it is at the heart of who I am. Love is contagious. Join me? What a world this could be.

VAST ONENESS NOTHING HOLY

Matthew T. Fisher, Reno Buddhist Center Resident Priest

worth of living is manifest. The vast wisdom and compassion of universe playing out is life itself. Today’s question reminds us many of our dear brothers and sisters don't experience life in its natural way - as pure joy. They are troubled by hardship and unsatisfied needs. The old word for this is Dukkha. This is exactly the motivation behind teaching of all Buddhas. They want us to know that Life is a Bumpy Road - we don’t get through it w/o difficulties and challenges. Life is Impermanent - nothing stays same from moment to moment. Old word for this is Anicca. Life is Interdependent - We are all part of everything we have effects and are affected by the universe. Life is Fundamentally Good - Joy and meaning are here, occasional bumps and all. With this view we can see life as it truly is - manifest joy.

GROWTH AND LOVE

Sharla S. Hales, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Area Public Affairs Director Challenges and opportunities for growth make life worth living. It’s tempting to desire a life without challenges. But growth requires challenge and a meaningful, satisfying life requires growth. Grappling with hard things, we can become more kind, patient, humble and loving--more like God. Becoming better people is a main purpose of life and one of its joys. Becoming better involves conformity with God’s laws of love, kindness, and patience. Loving connections with family members, friends and others also make life worth living. Relationships give opportunities to practice love, kindness, humility and patience. Service to people we may never even meet brings connection, meaning and joy. (JustServe.org). Life’s greatest joy comes from human connections, both simple and profound. Smiles and thank yous exchanged with a store clerk, light in my granddaughter’s face when she sees me, discussing the day over dinner with my husband—these make my life worth living.

FINDING THE FLOW

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Brian E. Melendez, American Indian Spirituality Scholar

There are many adventures that we may never go on…so many fancy hotels we’ll never sleep in, mountains that won’t get climbed, or oceans we’ll never see. So if you feel there’s something missing to complete your life, before you die, you should probably do it… The more we recognize and honor the small gifts in front of us and take the chances we believe we should take: the better off we will be, no regrets. If we always aim to be appreciative and grateful in all that we do—it’s impossible not to see the value in all life—and when our hearts and minds are open to nature, it doesn’t get any better! Sunrises make life worth living. A good fire makes life worth living. Clean air and water makes life worth living. Laughter (and sometimes heartache) makes life worth living. Coffee definitely makes life worth living.

MEANING MAKES LIFE WORTHWHILE

ElizaBeth Webb Beyer, Temple Beth Or Rabbi

It’s derived from our purpose(s). Each of us has a unique mission in life. (Baal Shem Tov). Each person must strive to find and accomplish it. Also, G-d requires us to “do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your G-d. (Micah 6:8). For the spiritual seeker, more is required in the school of life. It’s building a sanctuary in our hearts for G-d. As it says, “Make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.” (Exodus 25:8). This means that our duty is to make a sanctuary within our own heart, a place where the Holy Presence may dwell. (Alshech). How do we accomplish this? Often this is the journey of a lifetime. We begin by being ethical, finding inspiration, loving our neighbors, doing justice, loving kindness and walking humbly. As we reach towards G-d, G-d is reaching towards us, guiding us.

WALK AND GROW WITH CHRIST

Stephen R. Karcher, St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church Presiding Priest

Life is worth living when we live like people that possess a heavenly call. Living a true human life means that we mindfully keep hold of three vital spiritual elements: faith, repentance and forgiveness. When we have these three, then we have hope, joy, peace and clear vision. Without these three we’re doomed to live out a simple biological existence, in other words, a degraded life in which we disregard our soul and neglect spirituality. Whenever we refuse to normalize the falleness of the world we’re born into, and choose instead to embrace and enter upon the path of redemption and spiritual struggle that lifts us to heaven, then life becomes worth living. This collaborative and joyful work of growing into the likeness of God, of walking with Christ, is the way we fulfill ourselves as human beings, sanctify the world around us and really, truly live life.

Kyle W. Bateson, Sparks Lead Pastor, Living Stones Church

This is question of purpose. As humans, we have more purpose than anything in all creation because we were made in God’s image. Something in every human points us to the beauty and goodness of God. Every moment of our life, no matter how good or bad, is an opportunity to show off God’s beauty. As image bearers we were also created to connect with God and enjoy relationship with him. Every situation in our life is an opportunity to know God in a deeper and more fulfilling way. The problem is sin. Sin causes us to make life about us instead of God. Sin makes life seem meaningless because it disrupts our ability to connect with God and show off his goodness. That is why God sent Jesus! Jesus is the true image bearer who bridged the gap between God and us. In Jesus, our lives have restored purpose. Faith Forum is a weekly dialogue on religion produced by religious statesman Rajan Zed. Send questions or comments to rajanzed@gmail.com or on twitter @rajanzed.

rgj.com - Faith Forum: What makes life worth living? - Reno Gazette-Journal

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