Why do we work so hard at achieving in life when death is the great equalizer an

Question:For me, it's about 40 years until I retire or I am not physically/mentally fit to continue with the work I do---that is, IF I do live that long without disease or early tragic death. I feel that this time is too short and it seems I beat myself up too much with my perfectionistic tendencies. What can I do to make like really worthwhile and not think of it as a dread or defeated already, knowing fully well I will die and all that I did really won't matter because statistics state that 99.99% never contribute anything great or significant to society anyway and simply die?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: For me, it's about 40 years until I retire or I am not physically/mentally fit to continue with the work I do---that is, IF I do live that long without disease or early tragic death. I feel that this time is too short and it seems I beat myself up too much with my perfectionistic tendencies. What can I do to make like really worthwhile and not think of it as a dread or defeated already, knowing fully well I will die and all that I did really won't matter because statistics state that 99.99% never contribute anything great or significant to society anyway and simply die?

Yes I agree that after death nothing matters, still you work very hard all your life to achieve something- something for whom - for others. You want to become a creator and leave your footprints behind for other to see and remember.
We read about great artists and authors even today after thousands of years after their death. Picasso created art objects on which he himself did not profit but other are profiting even today by trading his art objects. Picasso found pleasure and satisfaction in creating things of art and nothing else. That was his life's objective.
Yes such persons are a minuscule percentage in the whole world others just live the life of a dog and die.

this is because we should make use of our short time here.
if we make use of it, than our short time here may end up meaning something. If we don't make an impression on society, we may make an impression on someones life

Then do something to contribute. Make a name for yourself so that when your gone, your legend will go on. You have enough time. I dare you.

Thats why I look for meaning in purpose in life with a belief in God. He is the only being that answers purpose for me. But if you do not believe in God then your right your pretty much screwed. If I'm right theres hope. If Atheists are right then bye bye we all disapeer forever! And no I don't believe God creates Hell to torture people for the fun of it. Some atheist made up that mythology.

We're all only human, so we die.

But it is not meaningless, we all have a purpose. No matter how small.

Good Point.
We should probably try to make the least possible progress in life.

WHY do other living things on this earth do what the do. there must be a reason. ?

You can look at it from several points of view. As one above stated, for some a belief in God, and therefore a belief in existence after death, provides meaning. You could search out that path. (I'd recommend it.)
However, if you feel that is not an option, you must look for the positive influence you can have on other people. That is something that cannot be measured, and can have a trickle-down effect upon many others. Or you can seek to have a positive effect upon the world in some way, whether it's thru something you create, or some work you do, although, as you said, this is much less likely to occur.

Well like everyone doesn't say LIFE ISN"T SHORT! ITS THE LONGEST DAMN THING YOU EXPERENCE!..... anyway, I'd say it's because we may not gain credit for contributing but we all do, wether we are lazy slobs or active jerks lol. (using weird metaphors today i guess) It's more or less how you do what you did. everyone effects if the standards get raised or lowered, so it's not what you do but how you do it. If you were a hard worked, people will like hard workers, not okay workers. It's how we advance Death isn't nessarly the great equalizer, Topac Shikaur, is still selling albulms, a now dead rapper/poet for the last 20-30 years. You make footprints and a path to follow for someone. It won't always be direct but it will be there.

To have The Human Right To Peace could make your life worth living if as a result or your efforts or those of others each nation on Earth were to introduce it as a protection for their citizens. The Right fo All citizens to own The Planet.

The possibility of an end to resource wars.

This is a question great philosophers have wrestled with for years. For instance:

I can't get no satisfaction
Cuz I try and I try and I try

Forty years later (actually I think it's closer to forty-two) and they're still trying. You probably will be too. Accept it.

statistics? who cares what they say its what u did for the people u love that matters no one is igsunicent beacuse we all make millions of little changes every day and u woould be amazed how the wriple in to more

I have been building wooden boats and furniture for almost 40 years. I am still getting better at it. Many of the customers I had early in my career have died and now their children own the things I made. To them I have always been there. I hope to die in my shop and avoid retirement. I have a dream that something I built may end up in a museum after a couple of hundred years as a cherished antique. In the big picture me and the things I create are dust, but the enjoyment they will bring is a real thrill.....That gives meaning to me for my craft.

This is a world based on perceptions. What you might not consider 'great', is actually remarkable for someone else out there.

Our contributions don't have to be featured on Cnn or written down in history - for them to be 'contributions'. I guess the best thing to do while alive is to 'do what you can'. You have lived your life by your perfectionist standards and that's respectable to many. Now that you're on your way to retirement, maybe getting involved in things you really care about would give you satisfaction.

I think it's a wonderful time for you right now, because you've spent more than enough of your years running after material things and may not have had the time for yourself. Right now, you can begin to learn more about yourself, and about the things you feel strongly towards... Look for a cause, a purpose... and then do what you can to contribute to that cause..

-your inner peace depends on it.

Take care.

I cannot answer that question for others, only for myself.

As such, the race is against myself, or more accurately the time I have.

I love fireworks, simply because they are beautiful while they last. The experience is worth the value, because it is not measured by how long it lasts, only by the good feeling.

The average Life expectancy, for women is about 85-95yrs and for men. About 75-85yrs, that'd put you in the 45-55yr age bracket.

I've done a fair bit of travelling, for work, and I have noticed an increasing amount of people on Aircraft and Train. Who are in the 65-85/90yr old age group.

So if you want, to sit around and mope and grown,or whinge and whine about your age. Do us all a favour and learn how to tie and fit a "NeckTie", so you don't have to worry about anything, anymore.

"The Path of the Higher Self," Mark Prophet,
"The Reincarnation of Edgar Cayce?", Free and Wilcock, http://www.divinecosmos.com
"Testimony of Light," Helen Greaves, and
"Men in White Apparel," Ann Ree Colton, indicate that humble progress and sowing often count as much or more as grand contributions, when the whole is understood.

every person that ever lives has a great impact on society it is just that the effect is cummalative like when you live with something for years then something makes you look and realise it has grown.
Did einstine's first teacher hae an impact on the world or did he achieve it all himself
did a ladys smile make leanardo want to paint would her frown have made him suicidal
never under estimate the impact of anything one straw can break a back one kindness can save a life. The legacy we leave posative or negative is up to us so lets smile and help each other then we will all see the impact we make