to think that the world (or at least MN) is divided into those who think that life if a constant battle and if you aren't striving and fighting you might as well be dead, and those who think that as

[Ormirian]

it goes life is pretty OK and mostly things are fine and perfectly acceptable and by and large most people are quite nice?

Because I am the latter.

And I think that too many people are the former.

I don't know how they do it. They are tiring just to watch.

I could give you two examples from my own friends but it's too much effort to type it up. They seem to be afraid that if they stop paddling for two second together they will sink.

Which side are you on? A paddler or a floater (so to speak? )

Supercharged outboard motor me. Which is part of my problem.

Ooh, lorililee I think you have scared me a bit there.
I like 'life is not a rehearsal', but I don't think I can win an Oscar

Really Lorelillee!!! Do you really believe that?

If I am the director of my 'life-film', then far from getting an oscar I think I will claim my life was directed by Alan Smithee

I really do! Who else is responsible for making your life worth living?

But the whole thing about Oscars and other awards are that they are recognition from OTHER people, not from yourself.

If I am the director of my life I am permitted to find my own life worthy of an Oscar. So I don't to paddle. In fact I am calling it 'Floating down the river' and there will be sunshine.

hazy I am an Alan Smithee hunter. Thanks for that :o

hodge over Orm I am coming along for the ride.
Can we have a picnic?

Yes.

With ice-cream

Norks it's how you react to life's events that makes you gain respect for yourself - as well as help to gain respect from others.

And cushions.

I do sometimes wonder where I would be if I WAS ambitious and driven. I suspect I would be richer, but I really don't think I would be happier.

i do wonder if a lot of the money spent by driven, rich, ambitious people, is spent on holidays and treatments and luxuries to capture the feeling that I get from my day to day life

lorelilee can you give me an example, please, so that I can understand where you are coming from?

My current opus is called, 'Carry On Paddling Up the Khyber'.

lorilee - may norks and I invite you on our picnic so you can show us how to ract to events like ants, cowpats and warm white wine?

Norks - if someone tries to put you down, you can either choose to believe it and land in the gutter, or recognise they are the ones to be pitied and rise above.

react!

Ormirian - crush the buggers, launch them like frisbees, drink it - life's not perfect all the time!

I want to be a floater, that is my natural personality. But a child with sn is making me an unnatural paddler. I tried to float for a while but he was being totally failed and someone has to fight for him. Some days I float and don't answer the phone and live in a bubble that I wish life could be. I like those days .

Norks I think it is also about making the most of what you have.

Look at the house-envy for example, i dont get it. Why dream of a 12 room mansion and make yourself ill with bitterness and envy and not buy a tin of cheap paint and love the house you 've got? There are always people who will be richer, or prettier or luckier. And some people even if they get the 12 room house they wont rest, because then someone else has an 18 room mansion.

EXACTLY Laquitaqr don't live life resenting others', live life appreciating yours.

I don't understand how not resenting others makes you a paddler. I sort of live my life like this, making the best of things and being happy with my lot. Not resenting what others have. I think that makes me a happy floater

That's a good motto lorelilee

Yes, thats what we are saying too Norks

i am getting confused, and being a floater means that I am now going off to look at car adverts instead.

< whistles 'sailing by' >

this week i've been feeling like i'm drowning. But this thread is actually making me feel a bit better; not sure why just MN makes me feel happier.