cross-posted from: https://exploding-heads.com/post/185121
There seem to be a growing number of unmarried people today who may have been brought up to view their purpose in life as being tied to having a family, and they may be getting too old to have kids (in the case of some unmarried women for example).
How can they find a sense of meaning in life without a family?
I have trouble wrapping my head around this, due to the understanding that a person could dedicate their life to God and live as a celibate as like a monk or priest or nun if they don’t marry, and I feel pretty content with the idea of being married or single or in some religious commitment.
But this seems like it may be a growing problem for other people who do not share my outlook and I was wondering if people have ideas on how these people can cope with the issue.
Are you crazy or just indoctrinated? The issue does not exist, family and especially god are simply not required
I would humbly submit that you don’t know what happiness is.
There is a convent in Gower Missouri that is all over the news (so they’re easy to find.) They have a good web presence. You can also find YouTube videos of interviews.
You will not find anyone happier than those nuns. They have surrendered themselves to God and to their community. I would say that God and community are essential to happiness and meaning.
Yes there are plenty of grumpy priests and religious people, somehow that doesn’t stop those nuns from smiling. A lot.
If you want happiness in your life, begin looking there.
I agree, ignorance is bliss, but not happiness
Your loss buddy.
Family is necessary to full understand the human experience. Until you become a father or mother you can’t fully mature as a human. Forever stuck in a broken unfinished shell of a adolescent. Plus you’ll die alone and be eaten by your cats