Contest - 3 winners - What Do You Live For? PLEASE READ THE RULES!

[Krisb]

What I live for is my son. He has autism and ehler-danlos which is the reason I quit smoking, I need to be here ad long as possible for him. What brings a smile to my face and makes me feel at peace? Knowing he is happy. He learned to swim last week, I never smiled so much

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[MissP]

Hmmm, I live for so many things... the joy of discovery, the contentment of getting back to nature, the excitment of a monster bass or a huge buck, the high of a good days work... it can go on and on and on....

So, I live to be......

 

[RebelAir]

I like to get on my motorcycle, pick a direction, and ride till I get there. ("There" is wherever the road happens to lead. It doesn't matter where there is -- its the ride that counts -- not the destination)

I was trying to get to There a few days ago on a lonely Tex-Mex border road. A Border Patrol Agent stopped me and asked me where I was going. Needless to say, he was less than thrilled with the only answer I had -- "That way!"

 

[BatFanBob]

If I had to pick one thing I guess it would be my children and grandchildren. I have three children who between them have given us 7 wonderful grandchildren. I love all of them equally but two of the 7 are "special". One of the boys was born with cerebral palsey and has a diminished mental capacity as well as severe handicaps....but he doesn't care and neither do I. He collects anything related to the band Kiss and when I find something he doesn't have (which is getting tougher) you would think I had given him the world. Even though he is in his late teens, he is so innocent and appreciative for even the smallest thing...he just gushes when I go see him... whether we go to ball games or just for a drive in the country doesn't matter...he just lights up.
My youngest grand daughter (10 months) has never uttered a sound. She was born with a cleft pallet (small hole in the roof of her mouth) and has a trach tube in her throat which doesn't allow air to pass over her vocal chords and make any sounds. But when I see her she too just smiles as big as she can and hold her arms out for me. Again such an innocent child, new to life and unspoiled by humanity....On Sept 6 she is having surgery to repair the cleft pallet, she will then be able to make sounds. I cannot wait to hear her voice, I don't care if its crying, screaming or anything else, just a sound is all I am living for.
When I hear my oldest daughter call me "daddy" it still gives me goosebumps and she is 29 years old. That doesn't matter though, shes my daughter and to hear her say daddy with such love is something I will never tire of hearing.
Oh sure I have other things I like...I ride a motorcycle, enjoy woodworking, bowling and nature but I could do without all of these....but the children and grandchildren are what I live for every minute of every day...BFB

 

[Shannon65]

What do I live for? (Aside from my kids and grandson, which is a given) I live to make the world a better place by helping the chronically mentally ill who also are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol and who are chronically homeless. I'm currently working on my third college degree towards my goal of becoming a dual diagnosis clinical therapist. While in school I work (on call) and try to volunteer when I can working with people who are homeless, mentally ill and addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. I absolutely LOVE working with these amazing and resilient people. Sometimes it's really hard for society to really look at someone who is homeless, and to make it easier to not really see them people will often tell themselves that these people want to be homeless or are losers or addicts who just bring it all onto themselves and a host of other stereotypes. In my experience, most of the chronically homeless people also have very serious mental illnesses and often abuse substances to self medicate. Sadly, a lot of the people who are homeless are military veterans who have served during war and who have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I see this almost daily. Nothing makes me feel better than spending time really talking to people most of society tries to forget or pretend not to see, and knowing that I have helped find a home, job or even a pair of shoes for someone who did not have that before. I've met artists, scholars, veterans who have taught history to deaf children using sign language, war heroes, mathematical geniuses, etc. Just seeing how much inspiration and hope you can provide a person in crisis by simply treating them with dignity provides me with such a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment that I don't believe there are words powerful enough to express how incredible it makes me feel.

 

[Krisb]

Bump!!!!!!

 

[n2danexxus]

I'M EXTENDING THIS CONTEST FOR 1 MONTH AFTER THE FIRST POST WHEN IT WAS ANNOUNCED, AUGUST 18TH.

There just wasn't enough entries to justify the contest and I believe, as I'm sure you all do, that everyone/more people should have a chance. Keep this thread alive! I've read everyone's submissions this far, and they are wonderful. I really hope sharing your thoughts inspires you working toward those moments that make you feel alive.

 

[chimney55]

I live to eat. Well, not exactly. I live to have meals with friends. You see, I'm from SW Louisiana (yes, I'm a Cajun) Meals for us were social events and social events included meals. Appropriate dinner conversation included what we'd eaten the previous night and what we were planning to eat the following night.

I moved to NW Arkansas 3 1/2 years ago. An inherited skin condition (HS) worsened once I moved here. Over the next couple of years, I became unable to work. I was put on disability. Because I hadn't worked the whole time that I was here, I had met very few people--and even fewer people that I would see with any regularity. Because of my condition, I developed severe depression. Depression caused isolation, and isolation worsened the depression. After 3 1/2 years, I'd say that that's about the number of friends that I have here (not counting psychologists, counselors, etc.) Whenever I can afford it, and one of my friends is free, we have been meeting for lunch or dinner. For the past year, they've actually had to come pick me up to go out because I totaled my car last year and have no transportation. I miss this! Eating out with friends. Because I'm on a fixed income, a meal out is usually fast food. Something like Denny's or IHOP is for me "fine dining". (They actually give you metal silverware!) So a "grand prize" for me would be coupons or something to go to "real restaurants" with friends (Red Lobster, Outback Steak House, etc.)

 

[Reddhott]

i live to live! giving a friendly smile,a hello from someone u dont know as you go about town ,just the sweet smell of life as u arise everyday, knowing u still have another day to stop and smell roses! life is good one breath at a time!

 

[caveman]

I honestly live for my fiance. She makes me happier than anything, is my bestfriend, and every facet of her amazes me. I can stare at her for hours.and just be freaking happy. She's the reason I wake up, work two jobs, and sleep happy. I also like playing piano haha

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[Lambch3p]

As a cancer survivor I try to live and appreciate everyday. But I really feel alive when I'm helping people or animals. I work as a leasing agent in a small apartment community, in an area most people call the "ghetto". We really try to make a difference in the quality of people's lives here. Last week I was able to help a lady who had been in a woman's shelter 6 months get an apartment. She was so thankful, it was an amazing feeling to be able to help someone get back into a home. It really made me feel like I'm doing something with the second chance I received when I beat cancer. I'm also fostering 2 chihuahuas I found running down the street and every time their little tails wag or they give me puppy kisses I feel very alive and lucky that I see the amazing beauty and love in animals that the people who throw them away like trash will never get to see. A life filled with love and giving to those who need a helping hand is what makes me feel alive!

 

[TxParamedic]

My answer has changed in the last few months. After twenty years of working as a shift medic I became "DA Boss" 24 hour shifts every three days plus call became Monday through Friday eight to five. The back of an ambulance became behind a desk. If you had asked me what my "moment" was six months ago I would have answered fishing,camping, actually taking a day off (and losing the overtime) to hang out with the family, all the things I did to get away from work. Keeping in mind that my children grew up with Christmas being whatever day closest to December 25th dad was off, What could I complain about? and to tell the truth it has been great! But.....something was wrong. A sense of unease some kind of vague discontent was bothering me, it took a couple of days being shorthanded for me to figure it out. I like taking care of people! I wouldn't have kept doing this for twenty years if somewhere in my DNA I wasn't programed to thrive in an environment of barely controlled chaos! I like my new job but dammit sometimes you have to put down the paperwork and go out there and see some real human beings and lend a hand! so once in a while I'll get my ample buttocks out of my office and go see if the crew needs a hand with a call. Hold someones hand thats hurting, Get a little blood on me...Six months ago I would have said I live for all the things that get me away from sick or hurt people....today I'd have to say I live for those times when I get to help those sick, hurt people. Ain't life weird sometimes?

 

[Krisb]

Giving a little bump Is the contest still going on, or is it over?

 

[mfraz25]

I live for... well, there are a couple things.
Cooking and music

I didn't get into cooking until recently but now that I'm doing it I love it. It lets me bring out my creative side and allows me to make something other people enjoy. I know if I need to feel appreciated I can whip up some food and BAM! my lady and my family will tell me how awesome I am! (I am a woman, sometimes we need to feel special)

I have been a music lover since I was 2. It is my escape. Growing up I came from a not so good household, my mom was bi-polar and very verbally abusive and sometimes physical. My parents would start arguing and my brother would snatch me up and put head phones on me and I would sit and listen to music for hours. I have always turned to music when I was upset. It is the one thing beyond all others that I know will never fail me. I will listen to anything. I have around 700 songs on my ipod and know every word to every song. Artists from The Who to Lil Wayne.

 

[Lauralie]

I'M EXTENDING THIS CONTEST FOR 1 MONTH AFTER THE FIRST POST WHEN IT WAS ANNOUNCED, AUGUST 18TH.

There just wasn't enough entries to justify the contest and I believe, as I'm sure you all do, that everyone/more people should have a chance. Keep this thread alive! I've read everyone's submissions this far, and they are wonderful. I really hope sharing your thoughts inspires you working toward those moments that make you feel alive.

Giving a little bump Is the contest still going on, or is it over?

Bump and answer to your question -

 

[n2danexxus]

Giving a little bump Is the contest still going on, or is it over?

It's still going on, and I'm enjoying everyones answers! There are some truly selfless people out there.

 

[caveman]

update to my earlier entry...I had a long vape session with a blind man today, I had never met him but saw him using a cheapo mini and offered he try my kgo. we talked about so much, everything except his disability which never came up. Alot of time was spent talking about my fiance, I can't help it lol. He told me he had never heard anyone talk about someone that way and it was beautiful (idc if my posts make me "unmanly" she is beautiful and is my world) He also told me I was one of the most compassionate person he had ever met which was strange to hear. He was such an awesome man so I want to add compasion to what I live for, making someones day is the best! And in turn he made my week

 

[n2danexxus]

^^^that's awesome. Sometimes all someone needs is someone to talk to to make their day better, and in turn your whole week. The other day I helped an older lady shop for groceries. It started out her just needing help finding a certain cheese in a whole section of different kinds of cheeses, and we just went on from there. She was thrilled, I was all smiles for the rest of the day.

 

[pringles13]

I live to make a difference in people's lives. As cliche as it sounds, it's true. Whether that means making them laugh, doing something nice, teaching them something new, cheering them up, doing that little something that makes their day... that is what keeps me going. I'm very much a people person. I love making a difference. If I can make someone smile, friend or stranger, it makes my day.

 

[tattoogirl]

I live for my amazing family and my fantastic job. I get to create art that lasts as long as the person wearing it. How amazing is that