Early to rise today possibly on account of it being shopping day and my coffee talk with Jack yesterday. Towards its end we discussed the value of the individual life lived and on this I hold some strong convictions. I do want to write on this below.

Last night I spend almost two hours updating my various website files relating to my Daily Entry category. These daily entries are organised by year and at the start of each new year the date sensitive files need to be changed for the new year’s value. But, I overlook some files and links since I only do this once a year. All worked after testing last night except for one link back which I’ll fix today.

Later last night I gave some thought to incorporating photo images into my daily entries. I have done this occasionally in the past, but always get discouraged because of all the extra work it takes. I recall having half a solution last year and then dropping it again. I may give it one more final try in the coming weeks with the aim to find a smoothly working routine of adding seasonal images to my daily words.

I always appreciate Jack's comments in our interchanges, since he thinks in daily life terms, while my take on life more abstract, as I look for general principles.

Jack and I had a very lively discussion as I mentioned. I always appreciate his comments in our interchanges, since he thinks in daily life terms, while my take on life more abstract, as I look for general principles. I even found two small pink note sheets dating from 1961 about the purpose of life! I was not even two years in the country at that time! See below for more on this.
<8:15am and time for that first shopping trip and after is, a call from Elisabeth and coffee now at my ‘station’ again at 9:57am.

Jack and I discussed the meaning of the life as lived in general. This question surfaced as we considered life after those who depended on us, our children, are now making their own decisions. But, it goes further than that, such as after having left behind one’s professional life, business or other tasks or roles, no longer relevant.

Even more general is the case I often entertain, which is that of the CEO versus the bottle collector. Which role is more important? If we only had CEO’s in our society or just bottle collectors we would be in trouble either way. Society needs variety in functions and a structure in order to function.

Looking at life and living this way, I view the goals society sets us as side shows that ‘urge’ us along the path of life, as we accumulate our experiences, which is what counts.

That raises the question as to what aspect of one’s life is most important? Over time I have come to the conclusion that the value of my life is in the experience of it. All experience is valid experience, though not equally valued in society, because of that mentioned structure. However, for the individual, each experience is valid and important as such, though not all are desirable.

Looking at life and living this way, I view the goals society sets us as side shows that ‘urge’ us along the path of life, as we accumulate our experiences, which is what counts. In the end it is this total of this life experience that is the ‘treasure hard to attain’ and which enriches my spirit as I belief it does.

Viewing the life of any one individual this way enables me to value each life lived on its own terms. Not that I would approve of all that takes place, on the contrary, we do have to take our responsibility and consequences into account, but that is part of that experience. The end result then can be that we do not do certain things and encourage others, which has been the process of human development to this very day and continues to be.
<10:20am~