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essentials
November 2009 
What is a must and what is not?
Posted on Feb 26th, 2009
by 
jodi
jodi
This is in Response to the Questions and Reflections for February 26, 2009:
My friend, Lize's, home was in danger of burning down from the terrifying fires we have been having. Francois and I arrived just as the fire was approaching her house. Francois was such a hero fighting the fire. I started evacuating important things for my friend, because she wasn't there yet.
The funny thing is: this is exactly the question I kept asking myself.
The musts, firstly was the pets. The pets were in my car first. Then documentation. (Sadly.)
But then came the sentimental. Anything and everything that meant something and was irreplaceable. Photos, letters, art, jewelry, diaries.
In the end, once Lize had arrived, we realized: after the pets... nothing. nothing seemed important or to have any value. It was such a strange sensation standing there in the smoke and panic. This moment of clarity.
So. I would say: a must is something as essential as life itself. Something that gives life purpose to you. My family. That is a must for me. This includes my dogs, my horses, and my husband. It includes my whole family and my wonderful friends. These truly are a must in my life. Life and the living.
The rest is not.
The funny thing is: this is exactly the question I kept asking myself.
The musts, firstly was the pets. The pets were in my car first. Then documentation. (Sadly.)
But then came the sentimental. Anything and everything that meant something and was irreplaceable. Photos, letters, art, jewelry, diaries.
In the end, once Lize had arrived, we realized: after the pets... nothing. nothing seemed important or to have any value. It was such a strange sensation standing there in the smoke and panic. This moment of clarity.
So. I would say: a must is something as essential as life itself. Something that gives life purpose to you. My family. That is a must for me. This includes my dogs, my horses, and my husband. It includes my whole family and my wonderful friends. These truly are a must in my life. Life and the living.
The rest is not.
Access: Public
Jodi, what does it mean when things (like books, movies, etc.) take on a life of their own? Is this sense of animation also important?
Also, inevitably and only in the earthly plane, all lives must end. We may rejoice/grieve that experience when it occurs. So I’d ask you whether even something as precious and unique as your family is also a must.
Hi, Paul. Thank you for your comment.
Well. I do not believe in another realm of reality. But even if there may be one, I do not know this to be true or fact. It seems unimportant to me. And it almost cheapens life and our experience in this incredible world and universe.
All that matters is the life we have now. Living our fullest life and valuing this life. Ours and others’ lives. I know that life will end and that I will lose people and my own life eventually. But, to me, that makes it more precious. And without having lived, how would I experience everything else? Life is all that is a must for existing and experiencing.
Life must be of highest value if we are to respect others around us and live in love and peace.
maybe I put it better here?
Oh! and to get to your first question.
I do think it is important. Within reason. I believe the meaning or purpose in our lives are created by ourselves. We attach meaning to objects. Without attaching meaning to objects and people and experiences our lives could seems quite empty. But I still don’t believe this is a must. Although… hm. I do attach this meaning to the people I love and my own life. Without it: what is the point?
Thanks for the questions, friend! Got me thinking ;)
heemes, Reality, or the ‘earthly realm’ as you call it, is the only
experience we can rely on. And thus to lessen it’s value by saying
‘only in the earthly plane’ is to disregard all of existence. If we
die, and thus not exist (no doubt you’d argue in ‘this realm’) then for
us the meaning of ‘must’ along with everything else should become
useless.
The issue must be one of perspective. Is life a must for the planet?
no. is family (etc) a must for me to live a authentically happy life
(from my current perspective) ? yes.
if it is your perspective that you will continue beyond death, then i
guess, based on that belief your subset of ‘musts’ might considerably
differ from mine.
I agree 100% with your comment responses, Jodi. For my own part, I continue to deepen my commitment to being as pro-life as possible. Even unborn children deserve every good thing this world offers in its abundance.
:franc, Vive la difference! :-)
Hi Paul and :franc. :)
Thank you for your comments. I am so glad that we can each have our own opinions. That we can choose how we view things. That is so important.
Although I am pro the living, I am pro choice.
You guys are great! thanks again.