Anonymous asked:

I don't believe in an afterlife. (That's not what I'm coming here about though, just think about this one hypothetically no matter what your beliefs are). I also don't believe in any "purpose" for living, nor a "purpose" for dying. Therefore, because there is no purpose in either, they are equal. The only difference is consciousness vs. lack of consciousness. Non-existence isn't an option to begin with. So I don't see why dying would be all that bad. I guess I just want a reason for being here.

First off, I want to say I like you. You make me think. :]

Secondly, I see exactly what you’re saying, and it really does make sense. So what you’re looking for is a reason why consciousness is more appealing than lack of consciousness. Well, think about it; when you’re conscious, you can enjoy an infinite amount of things that you can’t when you’re unconscious. Sure, you can always dream when you’re unconscious (in any definition of the word), but I don’t hold dreams at the same level as reality. They can be nice, but they are not comparable to things you can actually see and hold and taste and smell. Know that the breakfast you ate this morning is real, and the dinner you’ll eat tonight is as well, and now that as your conscious self, you can enjoy it - and be *aware* that you’re enjoying it - infinitely more than you could if it were a dream. You can control what you enjoy and what you don’t, and when you enjoy it, when you’re conscious, as opposed to only being able to rely on dreams - which you cannot control when you have or what they’re about, not without some very intense mental training - when unconscious.

This is all assuming, of course, that it is possible to dream after death, somehow; if you do not believe that is possible, well then, dreams are removed entirely from the equation, and you cannot experience anything at all while unconscious, which provides an even stronger argument for why consciousness is more enjoyable - dare I even say better - than lack of consciousness.

There may not be any purpose for being here. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it all the same. Is there any purpose, truly, for spending a day reading a book? For crocheting a blanket? Creating a drawing? Building a birdhouse? Or is it more just for the sake of enjoying the task itself? Life can be approached the same way. Whether there is a purpose to being here or not, there is nothing stopping any of us from making the most out of our conscious hours as much as possible anyway.

And if you want any examples of the kinds of things you can enjoy during those hours..well, that’s what my main blog is all about. :]

When I think about it.. I’d much rather enjoy that extra slice of cheesecake, or spend that extra hour finishing my book, or go for taking that walk to enjoy the stars after midnight, because, well.. it makes you feel good to be alive. It makes you feel good to be *aware* of the pleasantries in life.. and that, in turn, inspires a whole new appreciation for just.. existing.

Living and dying may be one and the same. But there’s nothing preventing you from making living as beautiful as you want it to be. Because, hey, why not? :]