Severin
As usual you put things very well. :)

Houlley

I get what you are about but it is not possible to live in a completely hedonistic state all the time (not that you were implying that).

Reality dictates we still have to work to feed and clothe ourselves and to fulfill basic and some not so basic needs, which occasionally means conforming to someone else's rules. Juggling those needs and realities is the tricky part.

IMO happiness is best achieved when we follow our hearts, rather than being a slave to social pressures or norms. As an adult, there is amazing freedom in not being shackled to imaginary social pressures and empty concepts such as status and wealth which are meaningless from a spiritual point of view.

Houellebecq,

Have you read anything by Tom Hodgkinson? I think you might enjoy his books "How To Be Idle" and "How To Be Free".

Dear snake,

Thanks - I am feeling more confident with each day.
The drugs messed me around somewhat - but as you
said - I'm in good hands.

Dear Houellebecq,

I wasn't looking for either attention or sympathy
with this thread - merely a sharing of a rather
frightening experience and a discussion of life
after-death as a subject. I was interested in the
views of others with similar expereinces as well
as people's thoughts on re-incarnation, the soul
surviving after death et cetera. As I stated
earlier I've been overwhelmed by the response - and
people's thoughts on the subject, as well as their
experiences of similar situations to mine.

Thank You for your advice - I tend to do a bit too
much for my family at times - and I will need to
try to tone things down a bit - and have some "me"
time every now and again. I may even go visit that
brother of mine in Byron Bay, walk on the beach,
and just chill. Good for the soul.

Dear Severin,

I hope that all your health problems have now
been resolved and that you're going from
strength to strength. I'm so happy that you're
back and posting once again because you've been
so sorely missed.

I wish that I could express myself as beautifully
as you do. My wish is also that
we may hope and trust that humanity's
ultimate choice will be to enhance the life on the
bright and lovely planet on which billions of us
share our adventure.

Foxy, Pelican

Too kind, blush.

I wish I could write like Jeanette Winterson - thoroughly enjoying "The Stone Gods" it was the only book by her that my local library had, will definitely follow up on her other books.

Foxy, I understand about the medication it can really screw you around. Retreating into some good quality fiction is a great way to get out of yourself for while.

Had an interesting dream a straight after my old male moggie went to cat heaven a few years ago. I was lying in bed, dreaming I was awake, there a man standing with his back to me, looking out the window, he was saying he was sorry, but it was time for him to go... moonlight silvered his hair, his silhouette long limbed, tall, rangy. My cat was a very large silver tabby. Coincidence and fanciful thinking on my part. Dreams are just to heal aren't they?

pelican,

'Juggling those needs and realities is the tricky part.'

Yes, but I see most people erring on the side of fear (caution). Trying to justify themselves in this pursuit (or retreat rather), as in a career or a legacy, or a purpose or any such confabulation is just that. A narcissistic denial of the fact that your importance in the grand scheme of things equates to very little. Most people's lives are ruled by happen-stance not purpose, but they want to pretend otherwise, often retrospectively.

People too easily surrender their freedom, which is fine, but then they complain they are slaves. Or worse, as I say, put some 'altruistic' self serving justification that their succumbing to this fear is really some noble life purpose.

Some have more choices and opportunities than others, but this idea of 'purpose' is rubbish. It's an excuse to conform to what others want. Life doesn't have a point to it, and I cant identify with those who are scared to even consider this reality.

It's almost like it's somehow incredibly shameful to admit the totality of one's whole life's goal is to enjoy yourself. Some foreign and ubiquitous 'work ethic' seems to override the honest, base meaning of life for so many.

History is full of the slant that the decadent, hedonistic society should always get it's comeuppance for daring to be so darned cheeky.

Poirot,

No I haven't. I'll look him up, maybe he could learn a thing or two from me.

Foxy,
I just learned of your escapade at the local ER .
I must admit to being a little disappointed...I leave you in charge of OLOs conscience and sense of humanity and equity and what do you do?

You start a flirtation with a young, innocent, good looking potentially rich Doctor. I'll bet...Then two bites at the forbidden fruit no less! You ...you...Cougar you!

In the case that you were really ill then I have to say....I JUST WON'T Allow it NEVER never again, Sickness Verboten Not permitted DO YOU UNDERSTAND? Not even a sniff!! Absolutely NO Sickening off Do we understand Each other Hmmmm !?

Well? .....You did say no sympathy?

Besides We'd worry about you . Get well and *stay* well.

As for the topic ....No! :-)