The purpose of life

I think I've discovered the purpose of life. You know. That thing you have to worry about once food and shelter have been sorted out. Do things that you enjoy and that interest you. Do whatever it is that makes you feel like a round peg in a round hole. Don't do anything that will cause harm. Accept that all human beings want recognition in one way or another and that if you focus on what you enjoy then you will meet people with similar interests who like what you do and will give you approval. You could be a collector, an athlete, a painter, anything.

I think accepting that it's ok to want recognition is very important. We're all human and we all want to be attractive and successful. When being attractive and successful is enmeshed in something we dislike (like a patriarchal value system) we can be very self-critical. We say 'I shouldn't want to be beautiful. It's shallow.' Or 'I shouldn't want people to praise my work. It's superficial.' It's good to question the system but accept that you are human. It's not wrong for a child to want praise so why should it be wrong for you? The important thing is balance and moderation.

p.s. The naked Arnold Schwarzenegger snow fight scene at the start of Red Heat is now officially my number 1 kitsch movie moment.