The reason to live is to serve others (doesn't have to be people, or even animals). That is the ONLY reason. I would suggest reading THE ART OF HAPPINESS but it is a really long book (even if an easy read) to get to the statement above.

You were put here for a purpose. You can always be a bad example >grin< Sorry bad joke.

I believe that some people who have something terrible happen in their life ...some loss, are told to do some volunteer work to get out of their own head, inner thoughts, and dwelling on their own pain. To realize their are people with worse problems and greater need. To realize that they can contribute and do good.

How many people do you hear about in the news, the women who started MADD because her child was killed drunk driving or by a drunk driver, The women camping out in front of Bush's ranch, the movie star who throws themselves in curring a disease they came down with, Danny Thomas with St Judes, Jerry lewis's March of dimes telethon, etc

Two other books I found interesting are:

THREE MAGIC WORDS

THE GREATEST MIRACLE IN THE WORLD

By the way the three magic words are....YOU ARE GOD!

You can only create what you first imagine.

The greatest miracle in the world is ....YOU

You were created for a purpose.

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
PROCLAIM YOUR RARITY
GO THE EXTRA MILE (do more than asked)
CHOOSE WISELY

Now if I could only take my own advise!

Jan

Hale,

I have 3 children. They are my reason to live. I have had several friends commit suicide, 2 within the last year. The grief they left behind was enormous. Even when I feel no one cares, and that is often, I tell myself that the hole ripped through the heart of my children isn't worth it. Also, when I make a decision to live another day, during that 24 hours I notice everything I wouldn't have experienced if I had killed myself...the sunset, a laugh, the taste of cheesecake. I dunno, it works for me.

~Q~