Living vs existing? Which do you do?

chic said:
Oscar Wilde said, "To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist. That's all."

That's kind harsh but Oscar always was inflammatory.

I think I do my share of both. When vacationing and relaxed and enjoying myself, you bet I am fully alive. Also when creating, my enthusiasm for life is high. Creativity is just the best spark. If I'm composing a speech my intellect if fully engaged and that is exciting. And sometimes I feel like a very small cog in a very large machine. I think we all must have those moments.

How about you? Are you mostly alive or do you feel you just exist?
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I am not familiar with Mr. Wilde.
Without my explaining I will simply state that I am just exisiting.
 

katlupe said:
It may look to others like I am just existing, but to me I am living. Never bored and I am quite happy and as independent as I can be.
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That's how I am as well. I know it looks like I lead a boring life but don't remember every being so content before. I love my life right now.

Edit for a PS..couple weeks ago at the gym I was talking with a young guy and he was asking about my life. We talked as we worked out and after a bit he says "what an interesting guy you are". So I guess I must be living OK.
 
katlupe said:
It may look to others like I am just existing, but to me I am living. Never bored and I am quite happy and as independent as I can be.
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Yes! Because we all have individual priorities. Just as we define 'success' differently we define 'living' differently. So i'm with you!

My life may not look interesting or fun to some folks, and theirs may look to busy, hectic, or boring to me...but i am living my best life right now. And i'm someone who had a lot of fun, adventure and romance when younger---but i don't miss all that a bit--glad for the memories and the lessons in it all but happy as i am now. As long as i can learn something new, express myself clearly to loved ones and others, and find some cause to laugh every day---that's life to me. And who with furbabies doesn't get at least one good laugh a day? not to mention the affection they give.
 
Today Iā€™m throwing everything into the ā€˜livingā€™ category. I made sure to have a fabulous walk with the dogs. They had a blast as did I!
I cherished every second of this walk and even took pictures
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Now Iā€™m getting some yummy lunch and planning on doing a bit of gardening and housework. Iā€™m then going to play with the dogs and later watch a movie. Iā€™m putting a huge effort into having a positive attitude regardless of circumstances cause I KNOW I can do this.
 
I guess it depends on your personal definition of both. One person's "living" might be another person's "existing" and vice versa. Personally, I'm always "living" whatever I'm doing. I'm just delighted to be alive. Having survived cancer twice before (1992 and 2011) and having a third diagnosis last year plus treatment that was apparently successful, I value every day I am still here. no matter what I'm doing. No time for feeling down.
 
I was just thinking about this. I look at people my age and some are real get up and go people and others are so "old". I work in a senior center cafe and the other workers are so slow and tired and lazy. Come on people, get up and live! Smile. Go places, do stuff. Walk to the library, sit on a park bench, talk to people. Everyone has a story!
 
Raddragn said:
I guess it depends on your personal definition of both. One person's "living" might be another person's "existing" and vice versa. Personally, I'm always "living" whatever I'm doing. I'm just delighted to be alive. Having survived cancer twice before (1992 and 2011) and having a third diagnosis last year plus treatment that was apparently successful, I value every day I am still here. no matter what I'm doing. No time for feeling down.
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Great attitude (y) At times I also like to remind myself our living is not over after we leave this plane of existence..I truly believe we are forever, immortal and we have many many experiences yet to comešŸ¤—
 
At the moment, I'm mostly just living. Some of that is my fault, there are things I could change, and yet I don't. Some of it is life. I have my escape - listening to music. Dark times, I guess. But music can make things better.
 
helenbacque said:
First 50 had lots of ups, pretty low downs but last 40 mostly great. Fantastic retirement years. Lots of good memories which keep me company now.

Yes, I celebrated my 90th just few days ago.
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Happy Birthday @helenbacque

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