[T]oo many of us now tend to worship self-indulgence and consumption. Human identity is no longer defined by what one does, but by what one owns. But we've discovered that owning things and consuming things does not satisfy our longing for meaning. We've learned that piling up material goods cannot fill the emptiness of lives which have no confidence or purpose.
-- U.S. President James Earl Carter, Jr. - July 15, 1979
mr_ed, Tucker's Human Assistant: I don't know whether my life has a purpose. It sounds like a good thing to have, and it's sure something to think about.
Years after my "children" moved out to live their own adult lives, I still try to be a good father. But that's not something I can do every day except, maybe, by example. It would help if they had their own children so I could point out what they do wrong.
There are days when I don't want to get out of bed due to depression or some pain. But when there's a puppy licking my face and grabbing my nose, and another dog's tail thumping the wall, and one or two standing in the doorway wooing and howling that they're hungry ... it's tough to go back to sleep.
And it doesn't make a bit of difference that two of them aren't even "my" dogs. One "belongs" to MaxFund Animal Shelter, and another to a buddy. Sooner or later, like my kids, they'll leave. But for now we're in this together. They depend upon me, sure, but I depend on them too.
In the past month or so, MaxFund has had a couple of Siberian Huskies whose coats really needed to be combed out. One was "blowing," shedding the long winter growth, and the other wasn't but still needed lots of old fur removed.
They got my help even though they didn't want it (and we stayed friends). One got adopted pretty quickly, but the other is still there. He seems to be a real good boy - I hope someone will take him home and let him do the running he can't do in a shelter kennel. Even then, though, someone will have to give him help he doesn't want. Heck of a thing to make your life's purpose!
Then there are cats at MaxFund. If you go in a room and sit on the floor for 30 or 45 minutes, all of them that feel the need for human companionship will wander over for a while. Two or three may try to occupy your lap for the whole time, but many will just wander back away and jump up on a shelf to snooze there. How about that for a purpose in life? Sit on the floor and let cats climb on you. And pet the ones that keep shoving your hand.
By stringing a few of these things together - looking for food that the dogs like and that keeps them healthy, scooping the back yard so the neighbors won't hate the beasts, petting cats, walking dogs - maybe it's possible to start toward beginning to getting around to moving in the direction of finding a purpose in life.
Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
-- Ecclesiastes 4:6
1 comment:
My human had a very bad time in her life when she went through her divorce. She was very happy she had Abby and her two kitties. She credits them with keeping her sane, giving her someone to hug and cry on, and making her realize that being in this life and making sure they were taken care of, was more important than the pain of losing her husband. Today she has a new, wonderful husband, and 4 more dogs in her life. I think she decided her purpose in life is US, and helping other doggies who need it. She is very generous with supporting animal groups and loves donating to worthy causes. That's why she is supporting all the doggie blogathon bloggers.
Holly
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