A: Alive!

Although Easter was yesterday, all that talk about resurrection gets me thinking about what it means to be alive. Lots of people have lots of different opinions on this – hence all the debates on abortion, life support, euthanasia, etc. Perhaps one of the things “being alive” means is that you get to have an opinion. And you get to learn how to live side-by-side on this great big planet with other people’s opinions, too.

Love, in my opinion, is one of the more important aspects of being alive. Sure, a person can for one reason or another cut off all his or her relationships and still breathe, and walk around, and “exist”…but that reminds me more of someone on a ventilator than someone who has a strong pulse and a reason to build his or her strength again to a point of thriving. Relationships…compassion…we thrive on love both as an experience and as an activity.

Inventiveness…creativity…is another special aspect of being alive. I think each person brings his or her own nuance to the definition of humanness. Isn’t it cool how no two stories are the same? Isn’t it cool how, despite tragedy and injustice and heartache, there is also laughter and intimacy and aspiration, to some degree, in each person’s life? Isn’t it cool how all these things, “good” and “bad” work together to make, in the end, something beautiful and precious?

Voting. Exploring. Working. Breathing. Playing. Humming. Listening. Sometimes I think it is easy to take for granted the pleasure of all the simple gifts that come as part of the package of being alive.

Enjoyment is an important part of being alive. I think maybe no matter where a person finds him-/herself, he/she can find enjoyment in something. Granted, there may be seasons and situations where this is harder than others…but that’s the interesting thing about seasons: they change. I have found enjoyment in things like warm sunshine after walking outside of a cold building…or candlelight and soothing music after a busy and stressful day at work…or seeing someone I care about genuinely smile.


What a gift we have been given! What do you love about being alive? ...
 

...you know…besides the Bee Gees?

P.S. - Speaking of things that start with "A," special thanks to Arlee Bird for creating the A to Z Challenge and making it what it is!!

Comments

  1. I love it when I'm outside on a cold winter's day and smell the smoke of a distant neighbor's fireplace or wood stove.

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    1. Yes, I love that, too!! Or even wet leaves in the Fall, or freshly mown grass.... Thank you for that nice thought!

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  2. I've been given many gifts. This was a very though provoking post.

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    1. I'm glad!! Thank you for stopping by. I look forward to checking out your post!

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  3. OMG! You Selected a wonderful and lively word indeed, Yes, because of His death on the cross of calvary we are ALIVE. Great thought for the day to start with, I just posted mine today, pl do have a look at it and air your view if time permits, I am here, via a to z page I am Philip @ Philipscom
    An ambassador to A to Z Challenge @ Tina's Life is Good
    And My Bio-blog

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  4. Nice to meet you, Philip! You seem cheerful - your comment made me smile! Going to check out your page right now. :)

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  5. Some inspiring thoughts here but I do think that you can feel alive without other people around you too. You don't have to be alone to feel lonely and when you are alone you can enjoy the interaction with nature and feel very much alive!

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    1. Rosalind - You make a great point. Some of my favorite things are quiet and solitude and nature. There are some times when I am convinced my calling is to be a hermit!! But I've begun to realize that while I greatly enjoy these things, they are more meaningful (in a lasting sort of way) because I can come out of them when I want to, into the world of people. The aloneness is enjoyable, but the relationships are more meaningful. It might not be that way for everyone, though. :) Thank you for stopping by!

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  6. Very well written. What is the purpose of living if you can't enjoy it?

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    1. And...maybe there is purpose regardless of enjoyment...but I don't know that there is much WILL (to live) without it.

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  7. I'm really glad to be alive...not sure I'd like the alternative...;~) Good luck with the challenge! I participated last year and had a blast!

    Donna L Martin
    www.donasdays.blogspot.com

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    1. Good point - ha! And thank you. I look forward to checking out your blog!

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  8. A lovely post. I couldn't begin to list all the things I love about being alive.

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    1. Yeeessss. You are so right. And the above is just the very start at a list for me. Although, there are moments when it is hard to grasp at those things. So in those times I'm thankful I know a few to turn to without thinking too hard about it.

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  9. Another thing that's so wonderful about the BG's song is it's what we use during CPR to help revive a heart attack victim. I've always thought that was very kewl.

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    1. Joylene - I just recently learned that, too, and now I think of the song/resuscitation whenever I hear of the other!! (I think it is also funny (in a darkly humorous sort of way) that another song that works here is "Another One Bites the Dust"....)
      Also, I know one other person named Joiline. Beautiful name :)

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  10. What a great post! These are the exact reasons I love being alive! I think it's so important to have love, friendships and relationships in life, and to really enjoy yourself through the whole time you are alive.

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    1. Thank you, Issy! I look forward to reading your post!

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  11. There are lots of things I like about being alive, but I really count myself lucky that I'm alive in this day and age. We can communicate with others around the world instantly through the internet/phones, and that's pretty awesome.

    (Grover at Inane Ramblings)

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  12. Thank you, Grover - that didn't even come to mind as I wrote this, but sometimes I think of that, too...how information on virtually anything is so easily accessible. I love that! And it is so feasible to keep up distant relationships. What a privilege!!

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  13. What a lovely and thought-provoking post. I love being able to see the beauty around me and sometimes the ugliness, too. Relationgships--love, friendship, parenthood. Thinking and learning. Signing up to follow

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    1. I agree - I guess we would not appreciate beauty as much if there were no ugliness with which to contrast it. And sometimes things can be a chaotic/wild mess!! Thank you for the comment and the follow - I will return the favor this evening!

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  14. Loving means being alive - I like that!

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  15. I hope you had a wonderful Easter! I'm stopping by from the "A to Z Challenge." I look forward to visiting again!

    Sylvia
    http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/

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    1. The whole weekend was beautiful here in southwest Missouri (except for a little tiny bit of rain)! Thank you for stopping by! I'll check out your blog this evening!!

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  16. I love enjoying each season... the weather, but also the seasons of life. There are challenges and blessings to go along with each one. Life isn't boring! All the best on your Challenge!

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    1. I love that! I look forward to my seasons to come :). And I wish you the best, too!

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  17. You look too young to know who the Bee Gees are! I scrolled around here a bit, and like seeing your faith on display. I love finding other believers in the blogosphere. :-) Drop by my Ballpark, if you want to.
    from The Dugout

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    1. Ha! I don't have a lot of Bee Gees, but I do have Stayin' Alive! I also have some Beatles and early Bob Dylan stuff. Love that era! And thank you for the great compliment. I look forward to viewing your page!

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  18. I feel so completely alive when I'm with my kids and teaching and working outside and running and...there's lots of joy in our house.

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  19. That is wonderful. I am so happy for you!!

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  20. Hahah the Bee Gees. What a great ending!
    Will deffo be back ;)

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  21. I find great enjoyment every day when the bloody sun finally goes away and leaves me in peace. ha. Yes, still suffering the tail-end of a horrible hot summer here in Western Australia. Can't wait for winter!!!!

    Seriously now, I really like this post!

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    1. haha! man - I have experienced some of those summers, believe me!! We're about to end winter here, and so I guess I'm feeling the opposite :). Glad you enjoyed the post!

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