I have therefore I am?
Monday, July 22, 2002 by Fishbone | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
I was just having a conversation the other day about when can a person be satisfied with what he/she has got.People tend to define themselves by what they have.And not only material things are included in this possessive tendancy,but persons and feelings as well:The more I have the more I count as a person.But,in truth,isnt this the greatest delusion of modern societies?
Even our language betrays our tendancy to possess,since the verb to have dominates in every day life:I have a wife,but am I a husband?I have a son,but am I a father?I have a dog,a profession,a house,a car,a bank account etc,but do I ever stop to have a look?Am I more happy the more I have?Or do I lose myself in my possessions only to find myself in short moments of self-consciousness or never again...
Perhaps there is no answear,perhaps this is not the right question.I just would like to read some thoughts on this matter...Thats all.
Even our language betrays our tendancy to possess,since the verb to have dominates in every day life:I have a wife,but am I a husband?I have a son,but am I a father?I have a dog,a profession,a house,a car,a bank account etc,but do I ever stop to have a look?Am I more happy the more I have?Or do I lose myself in my possessions only to find myself in short moments of self-consciousness or never again...
Perhaps there is no answear,perhaps this is not the right question.I just would like to read some thoughts on this matter...Thats all.
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Fishbone
Reply #22 Tuesday, July 23, 2002 3:46 PM
Reply #22 Tuesday, July 23, 2002 3:46 PM
Dear Jafo...
To be is to do
To do is to be
...these are the words of two great Greek philosophers.
Do be do be do...this is from a Frank Sinatra song!!!
But as it is obvious the verb to have is not included in any of these quotes.I guess back then it wasnt that important!
To be is to do
To do is to be
...these are the words of two great Greek philosophers.
Do be do be do...this is from a Frank Sinatra song!!!
But as it is obvious the verb to have is not included in any of these quotes.I guess back then it wasnt that important!
paxx
Reply #23 Tuesday, July 23, 2002 3:48 PM
Reply #23 Tuesday, July 23, 2002 3:48 PM
Let me clarify my previous post.
I don't need luxury and my family doesn't either.
But still want to give my family the confort I wouldn't need just for myself. I've had appartments before with no bed, I slept in a sleeping bag on the floor and was perfectly happy with that. It was my little price to pay to get freedom. But I wouldn't impose that to my little family.
I don't need luxury and my family doesn't either.
But still want to give my family the confort I wouldn't need just for myself. I've had appartments before with no bed, I slept in a sleeping bag on the floor and was perfectly happy with that. It was my little price to pay to get freedom. But I wouldn't impose that to my little family.
Fishbone
Reply #24 Tuesday, July 23, 2002 3:54 PM
Reply #24 Tuesday, July 23, 2002 3:54 PM
motion,if whe find contentment in ourselves,we can find it in oters and this a great step,because we become better human beings.A lovely thought,indeed. 
Fishbone
Reply #25 Tuesday, July 23, 2002 4:12 PM
Reply #25 Tuesday, July 23, 2002 4:12 PM
paxx,what you write is extremely interesting and thank you for sharing it.I understand well what you are saying.The responsibility of a family is great.But greater is the feeling of belonging and loving that a family can provide to you.It is a blessing and I am sure you do your best.I know I would!
Fishbone
Reply #26 Tuesday, July 23, 2002 4:25 PM
Reply #26 Tuesday, July 23, 2002 4:25 PM
three_4me,what I mean to say is that having is different from being.Many people have families but are far from being fathers and husbands.I really do like the way you put:When you love people and not things life is good! 
phreak_of_nature
Reply #27 Tuesday, July 23, 2002 4:42 PM
Reply #27 Tuesday, July 23, 2002 4:42 PM
You may have nothing, but what do you need? You may want nothing, but what do you have?
encemo
Reply #28 Tuesday, July 23, 2002 4:42 PM
Reply #28 Tuesday, July 23, 2002 4:42 PM
La vida es maravillosa,pero somos nosotros,los seres humanos
los que hacemos que no lo sea.
Solo pensamos en nosotros mismos y no nos importan los demas.
Queremos tener mas y mas cosas pero nunca tenemos suficiente.
Deberiamos mirar en nuestro interior y estoy seguro que veriamos
lo que es realmente necesario.Cierra los ojos y piensa en ello y
veras como te recorre el cuerpo un escalofrio y al final veras
las cosas que realmente valen la pena.
los que hacemos que no lo sea.
Solo pensamos en nosotros mismos y no nos importan los demas.
Queremos tener mas y mas cosas pero nunca tenemos suficiente.
Deberiamos mirar en nuestro interior y estoy seguro que veriamos
lo que es realmente necesario.Cierra los ojos y piensa en ello y
veras como te recorre el cuerpo un escalofrio y al final veras
las cosas que realmente valen la pena.
ToeJo
Reply #29 Tuesday, July 23, 2002 4:56 PM
Reply #29 Tuesday, July 23, 2002 4:56 PM
I think it all comes down to those famous words spoken to us by the Great Albert:
"When you consider that the universe is something made mostly of nothing, which is still something, and it is expanding infinitely into nothing (which does not exist) it becomes very easy to consider wearing plaids and stripes together."
I'm goin' to KMart!
"When you consider that the universe is something made mostly of nothing, which is still something, and it is expanding infinitely into nothing (which does not exist) it becomes very easy to consider wearing plaids and stripes together."
I'm goin' to KMart!
Jafo
Reply #30 Tuesday, July 23, 2002 9:23 PM
Reply #30 Tuesday, July 23, 2002 9:23 PM
Life is like a 10-speed bicycle....Some people have gears they never use...
adni18
Reply #31 Wednesday, July 24, 2002 1:38 AM
Reply #31 Wednesday, July 24, 2002 1:38 AM
There is a very interesting book by Erich Fromm, a great humanist and philosopher, with title "To have or to be?". Here is the link: http://www.erichfromm.de/english/index.html
He wrote many interesting books that may change your life.
He wrote many interesting books that may change your life.
Sugaree
Reply #32 Wednesday, July 24, 2002 3:27 AM If you haven't seen "The Gods Must Be Crazy" You should! Funniest movie ever about a possession, I ever did see!
In the words of sheryl Crow....
It's not having what you want, It's wanting what you've got.
Reply #32 Wednesday, July 24, 2002 3:27 AM
If you haven't seen "The Gods Must Be Crazy" You should! Funniest movie ever about a possession, I ever did see! In the words of sheryl Crow....
It's not having what you want, It's wanting what you've got.
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Reply #21 Tuesday, July 23, 2002 3:28 PM