CHOOSING TO “LIVE LIFE” OR “EXIST IN LIFE”

If we didn’t already have enough decisions to make in life, here’s one more! Are the differences between these two lifestyles simply semantics or are they so different they are incongruous with each other?

WHAT IS LIVING?

Living involves willful choosing. It requires an individual to prioritize life and pursue that which he or she values. It requires ACTIVE participation, acute awareness and a willingness to accept FAILURE and SUCCESS. It requires ongoing introspection to determine whether the course one follows is meeting the criteria (ex. ethical and moral) and needs (ex. passion and purpose) one seeks in life. It requires energy and effort to contend with all the obstacles one faces. It requires using the MIND to reach INDIVIDUAL conclusions based on personal beliefs that may differ from the majority of people’s thinking. It is the magic behind each and every heartbeat that is the essence of life itself.

WHAT IS EXISTING?

It is the effort required for short term goals that focus on symptoms and obstacles. It is a lifestyle often excluding purpose and direction. It typically focuses on emotions for decision making. It seeks ongoing gratification to provide energy necessary to make it through another day. It lacks emotional passion accepting apathy in its place. It seeks to avoid PAIN at all costs without understanding the accompanying sacrifice of PLEASURE. It is a lifestyle of repetitive physical, mental and emotional behaviors that often negatively impacts the quality of human life.

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Some will argue these explanations IMPOSE personal beliefs. These are NOT intended as BELIEFS, but rather OBSERVATIONS with recurring detrimental outcomes. Rather than object, argue or defend a particular position, why not determine where you stand at this moment in time and see where your trajectory is headed. If you are on course for achieving the lifestyle you desire, you have found the PERFECT PATH. If you are dissatisfied with your current path, it is unlikely that TIME (in and of itself) will create a better alternative option.

The physical and psychological manifestation of DISEASE is significantly influenced by these two options in life. Those who choose “LIVING” over “EXISTING” FUEL THE BODY AND MIND in ways that enhance quality and function. Those who ACCEPT “EXISTING” typically become the “statistical data” we see in the mortality and morbidity tables.

Our natural tendency to vent “feelings” (non aggressively) is a healthy release toxic emotions. It is not, however, a substitute for an ACTION PLAN designed to take a life of  “existence” and transform it into a life of “living.”

Determine for yourself whether “existing in life” or “living life” is the right CHOICE for you. Just don’t wait too long; TIME has a way of controlling and reducing available options!

Tags: aging, alternatives, attitude, disease, emotions, happiness, health, lifestyle, quality of life