How's life?

[Meem]

I am aware that you were suggesting, I did not take it critically. I'm just saying, "life is like a box of chocolates you never know whatever you're going to get." I prefer to not prod to directly and provoke much of anything with an opening question. I do that afterwards if an avenue presents itself. In the case of the box of chocolates, the difference would be similar to opening the box and saying, "want one?" Or, taking one out and saying, "want one?" I try to imagine the situation from both sides. I prefer choice and variety, so if someone were to ask me about a chocolate, I would prefer they'd open the box and let me "pick my poison." So in return, that's how I try to begin a conversation, a bit open ended-ly. You know? It's just a matter a preference, not posture.

And the time of year is here, when people will offer some profound things of joy and sadness. Others will hide them because they feel alone on the holidays.

Either way, I like this time of year, even if it is over commercialized.

[labelwench]

I am aware that you were suggesting, I did not take it critically. I'm just saying, "life is like a box of chocolates you never know whatever you're going to get." I prefer to not prod to directly and provoke much of anything with an opening question. I do that afterwards if an avenue presents itself. In the case of the box of chocolates, the difference would be similar to opening the box and saying, "want one?" Or, taking one out and saying, "want one?" I try to imagine the situation from both sides. I prefer choice and variety, so if someone were to ask me about a chocolate, I would prefer they'd open the box and let me "pick my poison." So in return, that's how I try to begin a conversation, a bit open ended-ly. You know? It's just a matter a preference, not posture.

And the time of year is here, when people will offer some profound things of joy and sadness. Others will hide them because they feel alone on the holidays.

Either way, I like this time of year, even if it is over commercialized.

Yes, behind the commercialism, there remains something of greater substance, whether one celebrates religiously or follows nature's cycle, in honor of the returning of the sun.

Each of us has a gift beyond measure, that we can offer to anyone.

That is the gift of our time, which can be given in too many ways to count, and all of them make a difference.

The end of last shift, I picked up two items, and headed for the checkout, noting that we had but one cashier on so early and that the customer ahead of me had a basket full of items, but no matter. I am patient and always wait my turn, and will find a smile for those serving me, that they will take some energy from the exchange and be happy when we meet again.

The customer turns and offers that I should go ahead of him, a polite gesture, and one I greatly appreciated, as I was more tired than I hoped my body language was revealing. We had a pleasant exchange of courtesies all around, cashier, customer and I, and you could feel the energy level rise all round.

Time and energy. The two are connected somehow, though I cannot explain it in a manner to please the scientists and the mathematicians.

Life is time and energy, and we are but an expression of the interaction between them. (Must be good coffee, when such wild notions wander across the threshold of my mind....)

[Mohan.C]

Today, I asked a fellow that question to which he replied, "I don't know." For a while I had begin to try and contrast it, to judge, to weigh his answer. I mean surely we can say that somewhere there is "a list of answers." Would this answer fall under the acceptable ones? At first I had decided, this was a bad answer. One could think of saying, "it's horrible, lovely, wonderful, I want to pull my hair out." Just about anything would seem to do.

Then I wondered, who is it that is actually more dumbfounded in this situation, he or I? When I'm done with that process, I'll share the result.

How's life? is it like asking How's John?
Is it like life's separate from us. Like its different from what we live.
It's almost like there are two part's of us. There is one part, which is living the life. And there is the other part, which is 'the life'.
So, I guess when one asks "how's life" its like asking "How's the life you are living, is it close enough for the life that you are not living".
If it is good, then the answer would be "Awesome". If it is not it means probably that things are kinda messed up between the two parts. There is conflict in decision, that the decision taken was not completely right.
When the answer is "I don't know" it probably means, the decision has not been made. After it is made, only then can one straight answer can be given. Still in a dilemma, apparently.

[labelwench]

Today, I asked a fellow that question to which he replied, "I don't know." For a while I had begin to try and contrast it, to judge, to weigh his answer. I mean surely we can say that somewhere there is "a list of answers." Would this answer fall under the acceptable ones? At first I had decided, this was a bad answer. One could think of saying, "it's horrible, lovely, wonderful, I want to pull my hair out." Just about anything would seem to do.

Then I wondered, who is it that is actually more dumbfounded in this situation, he or I? When I'm done with that process, I'll share the result.

How's life?

Two words, (actually three, with the contraction of 'is') yet a loaded question when one examines some of the ways in which they may be interpreted.

How - adv. & n. 1. in what way.....2. The way a thing is done.....3. nevertheless, in whatsoever manner, to what extent soever.

Life - n. 1. State of functional activity peculiar to organized matter, & esp. to the portion of it constituting an animal or plant before death, animate existence, being alive......2. Energy, liveliness, vivacity, animation, vivifying influence....3. Living things and their motions; the living form or model....4. Period from birth to death, birth to present time, or present time to death....5. Fresh start after narrowly escaped lit. or metaph. death.....6. Individual's actions & fortunes, manner of existence.....7. Active part of existence, business & pleasures of the world.....8. Salvation, regenerate condition.....

Or so says the Concise Oxford Dictionary of my forebears.

"Preferable to the alternatives" is one reply that leaves me smiling, as, to my knowledge, no one presently alive has experienced any alternatives.

One's perspective on the state of life may certainly vary objectively and subjectively as one experiences it, and these changes may be perceived as instantaneous or spontaneous.

Perhaps the single greatest influence on the answer to the question lies in our relationships to others in our life.

In the center of my being, life is as near perfect as I am capable of imagining it, though perhaps my imagination is easily satisfied.

As I experience life in relation to the significant and peripheral others in my life, objectivity is harder to attain, as there are now several perspectives to contemplate.

Moment to moment, the parameters of one's relationships and the dynamics of all interfacing experience change, merely by the state of functional activity peculiar to organized matter.

Which brings me back to the answer the fellow gave, when he said, 'I don't know.'

Perhaps, even if he knew, in the brief time of his reply, the answer would have changed, and so be no longer relevant....

[Mohan.C]

Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.
-John Lennon (9 October 1940 – 8 December 1980)

[Meem]

So, my results are in.

The question I have decide is sound, after all what is life? My initial reaction to his reply was haughty and self righteous. Who am I to judge? My second thought is what appears to be the saving grace, because it was in-fact on the right path. I was more dumbfounded than he, and rightfully so because I got what I wanted, the unexpected.

Perhaps there could have been a "better" answer for an immediate and continued conversation, but if that were the case, I'm not sure this one would have ever happened. It is more than certain that it has caused this conversation to last. It is also reasonable that this one has lasted longer than the one I could have had with him. I'm beginning to wonder if there is in-fact a better reply to my particular question ... in regards of my third,

What is life?
I'm not exactly sure ...

How's life?
"I don't know."
(what kind of answer is that?)
What a presumptuous hypocrite I am.

But if I was forced at gun point to give a reply, life is a miracle.

[austintorn@aol.com]

Ah, but what is life?

To know the answer, one must live it fully.