F52
Small lives, big lives
October 03 2013
Comments
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RHP User
11 years ago
It's impossible for one to be better than the other. As what is better to one, is not so to another.
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RHP User
11 years ago
I think everyone can only speak for themselves. Is one better than the other? It may be for you, but not for somebody else. It's all an individual thing.As long as you're not hurting anyone else, then everyone has the right to live however they want to live and do what makes them happy, without being judged by others.
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RHP User
11 years ago
to your definitions Snuggles,I did live a big life...but now it's kinda medium size...I love where I live,I have been here for five years now.I work and volunteer at a school here and have, for the first time in years,made lots of friends in this community.I am passionate about education and kids who don't fit the cookie cutter mold,kids who struggle on a daily basis with learning disabilities,lack of self esteem etc.I am indeed contented with my life.Good topic as usual
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RHP User
11 years ago
In a way I dont think much about what I could miss in life. I live each day as it comes, and hope I stay healthy. I am nearly 57 and when I hear the stories around me with all the sickness I am happy with what I got and what I can do even only on a small scale to many.I love my house and i am happy to be in it...sounds very boring to some, I love coming home.
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RHP User
11 years ago
Big Life Growing up and my marriage I had everything; big homes (with modern appliance), white picked fence, etc etc what ever I wanted I got! Money was not an issue - I had it big but I was as not happy.My friends were not really my friends.Small life Since my marriage separation, I live a small life and appreciate everything I have cause I have worked hard for it. I have a small basic life and appreciate the little things a lot more.Its the simplicity in life that makes me happy. I value friendships and those in my inner circle.To me one is not better than the other- Both have taught me long life lessons.Both have big/small value to me.FOXY
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wingman2014
11 years ago
Firstly , it's hard to decide what's best for YOU until you have experienced many facets of life . Also as you mature , you seek different things from your life that were not so important previously . I have recently returned from a holiday to Europe which I absolutely loved . A few years back I would never even contemplate an overseas holiday. I was more than happy to do the suburban life . As I've moved forward my interests have changed with me . As long as you are happy .., that's all that matters- Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
11 years ago
That on my grave I wanted the words 'she lived a BIG life' For me, this means I pursued opportunities, I took risks and I always chose the experience over playing it safe. My interpretation has nothing to do with money, assets or material possessions and everything to do with experiencing and growth.- Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
11 years ago
I grew up in a "Small life" surrounding... and have moved into the "Medium life"... sometimes I envy the "Big life" some of my friends and co-workers live but in the end we have the life we make for ourselves and am content to do as I please.No regrets
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RHP User
11 years ago
Only in the way I prefer to live is one better than the other. . So, for myself, I'd really want to be able to take some of column A and some of column B. :-) . On a global scale though, it takes all types. ;-)
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RHP User
11 years ago
I think sometimes the former is the bigger person with the bigger and more fulfilling life with the more positive influence on the world. Not always, but I hate that people judge other people's lives based on where they've been rather than who they are. The two 'lives' you talk about are not mutually exclusive either, just because someone takes on lots of 'adventures' does not mean they 'think global and act local' or even think at all.
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RHP User
11 years ago
You make it sound as if people who live a simple life, or small life as you say, are not good people. Which I disagree with and just because you travel and and have a big life doesn't mean you are compassionate or act responsibility. I don't see the connection at all?
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RHP User
11 years ago
I agree. How many places have I travelled just to experience the culture of people who were born, and have lived their whole life in the one village. And learnt something about myself and the world.
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RHP User
11 years ago
I grew up in a town where 50% of people finished school and got the hell out of there. The other 50% stayed to take a job, buy a house there, get married there & have kids there. They go to the same pubs, clubs etc and know each other inside out. I often wonder what life for them is like. There are a few real positives that I can really appreciate, but never had. I have moved over 25 times since leaving home at 18, widened my world view and social horizons with people I would never have met otherwise. Done many things on a whim because I wasn't attached to a particular existence, nor held down with long term plan or job commitments. I don't regret my life as a gypsy, even though its been mostly local as opposed to overseas. Now I have a career path, secure employment in a progressive company with lots of future opportunities, and the desire to settle and create my own domain. I want to watch a tree grow in my back yard for 10 or more years, and have long engaging relationships with my neighbours. Tempered with connections to a larger world, and the opportunities to engage in it, a small town existence can be both nurturing & fulfilling IMO. :)- Posted from rhpmobile
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Paradisepair
11 years ago
Decided depends on the individual and whether they are really living and loving their little life. As for the big life, the opportunity to really experience and truly appreciate new things and new people, it's more than just having possessions. Like Meeka said doesn't automatically make some a nice or good person. I've lead a big life, lived in 4 countries before I hit double digits, outside swinging, we do interesting things with interesting people in interesting places. But some of my happiest memories are of a time where we lived in a remote place with a small but solid circle of friends.
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RHP User
11 years ago
Thanks all! Very thought-provoking. Meeka, yes I did that deliberately. I associated small-mindedness with my description of a small life, because that's what I often see. And I assumed, for the sake of my post, that open-mindedness is more often associated with a bolder style of living. There are many different ways to live and I wasn't looking to outline them all - I wanted to juxtapose two extremes and see what everyone thought. You see, my life has always resembled the big life I described. More and more I crave the small life version - living in my little house, in my little neighbourhood, pottering in the garden, putting down roots, slowing down, breathing. I crave peace. Not so much the part where I described giving no thought to impact on others, but definitely the bit where I described sitting still. But then I feel lazy at the thought and start imagining packing up (again) and heading off somewhere to DO something - travel Australia, volunteer overseas, visit friends in remote locations, immerse myself in different experiences, and dammit, grow! So I'm torn, and not 100% trusting my judgment - I'm a harsh self-critic. I wanted to break out of my narrow thinking about the two lives, and challenge my judgments, hence asking you lot :) Kaleidoscope, I think you nailed it for me. That's exactly how I define myself and you've reminded me that I can live that way no matter what I'm doing. Thanks :) Superfoxy, material assets have never been a driving force in my life but I love the way you compared the two lives you've had (are having) and I get the sense you're much more peaceful now. Nice! Peace is what I'm after. I wonder what I'll be proud of when I'm 80, looking back at my life.
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RHP User
11 years ago
As a young boy I was rather naughty and some what wayward lol I was kicked out of 3 schools n only made it half way through year 9 (as it is known now) but I have had the most outrageous life working in management in 3 states earning up 2 $200000 a year have crosse paths with people from all walks of life and have only one regret now! What cloud I have archived and earned as income if I had just finished school :) but for me n my 6 children it don't matter as we have the luxury of my hard work:) I thinks it's more about personal desire then any other expectations that are laid upon us by society in its self :))
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RHP User
11 years ago
A lot of people who live big lives have no understanding of people who live little lives... but really it does take all types to make the world go round cos without someone to take out the trash, the world would be back in the dark ages in no time. Cheers Hawks... sorry to end the world so unexpectedly.
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RHP User
11 years ago
As I sit here thinking about this I now ask y do the same people always appear on the posts ? R our lives that dull that we now live for the forums lol
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RHP User
11 years ago
there is a third category,a small life lived large.....a life of connectedness to community,of contribution,maybe never travelling but thinking globally and acting accordingly.
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RHP User
11 years ago
To combine a bit of both in my lifetime. Never had the amount of money it takes to make life easy, but it's been an interesting ride at times.
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RHP User
11 years ago
If I was into rating posts, I'd rate your last post 10/10 :) Im sure that category exists, along with many others, but I love how you described it. Yep, that'd probably work for me x
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chevtrek
11 years ago
I have never worried if I did big o small things in life as life is what you make of it. For me life is a challenge before I get to the age of being a couch potato. Where you do that is not important as long as your not bored with life.
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lovman8
11 years ago
I know people who seem to live a "big life" travel, many different and varied experiences and yet they ( to me anyway ) seem some what narrow , superficial and uninteresting. Conversely I know a person who lives a "small" life , lives in the country rarely travels out of the area and only ever been in the one job and yet you wouldn't meet a more compassionate , amusing , wise and broad minded person. Perhaps Freya is on the money, its how your life lived internally rather how your life appears to be lived by casual external observation.
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RHP User
11 years ago
That's the age old question isn't it. I'm not sure it matters . What impact do we have on the people that we love or just interact with is it positive or negative.Are people better Off after knowing us or does our impact bring people down .Sorry if I'm off topic a bit.- Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
11 years ago
Yep my job is a little boring so I look at the forums throughout the day. I find everyday life, same job, same routine, tedious. I don't know how people stand it.... I need to travel and get away at least once a year to Change things up. Oh and I think I am addicted to social media... Need to change that stat.
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RHP User
11 years ago
I left my home town when I was 16 and have travelled quite a bit since then. I always saw myself as a fairly ordinary person but in recent years I have realised that I have been, and still am, a journeyer. I do long to find a sense of place and belonging somewhere. At times I thought I have found it, only to have the restlessness grab me again. I have certainly led a busy life and have at times been someone with considerable influence within my community/workplace. I enjoy being involved in big picture things, yet I have never lost touch with the small picture and I think Peachy would confirm I understand those who choose a "small life". I get your conflict OP. I have accepted I am not ready to settle yet and there are still journeys to make, work to do and people to meet. Regardless of whether its a small life or a big life, I know I could never settle for living a life in a place where I couldn't be myself, and that, I think, is the most important thing.
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RHP User
11 years ago
I think you can confirm that as a small life person according to the above description (though it took me a while to find the small life for me), I've done a huge amount towards my growth as a person, I follow many issues of global significance and I consider how my actions impact on others etc a LOT. What I agree with you most about is being able to be ourselves. . Loved your post xBo, I think you defined mine nicely.
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RHP User
11 years ago
Love your style :)
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Coops27M
11 years ago
Small lives are fine for people who are happy with such. Big lives the same again.Aslong as you dont spend your life in the what if or in regret.Sheltered people who want more but are too scared sometimes need a bit of a nudge into the deep end. Otherwise live how you wanna live , be who you wanna be and damn what people think :).
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Tall74nHard9
11 years ago
I think it can be put down very simply if you are just going by your parameters. You can't miss what you've never had ! If you have been used to living the 'small life' as you have put it, chances are you are very content with your lot in life. Conversely, living the 'big life' you are always restless to see what else you can find to do with yourself. Whilst that may also be interesting and fun it may also possibly wear a bit thin over years. As usual, it all depends what personality you are as the individual. Tall
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