Peter,

>>Peter,
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>>*s* is like < s > (a smile - without spaces) I had forgotten if the angled brackets caused formatting troubles here as I haven't been around for a while.
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>Ah, thanks for explaining. <s> is not causing formatting trouble. Neither <g> and some others. However, chuckle between brackets is causing trouble.
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>>I'd prefer we not get off on a tangent. My intent was to a) explain as succinctly as possible 'What mattered' to me and b) demonstrate just how easily it was to get folks like Dragan to respond *BG*.
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>>As I mentioned in a subsequent post, the whole idea is to have a goal in life that is larger than one's self. I can say that without provoking the militant anti-God folks but it is SO much more fun to provoke them. And easy too. *chuckle*
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>Okay, let's indeed stick to the original topic. I'm not against the idea that one should have a goal in life that is larger than one's self. But does it have to be on the top of one's list? My personal #1 is flow (Re: What Matters? Thread #1283222 Message #1283471). Compared to yours it might be called an egoistic motive.

Well, isn't that a part of the definition of a goal? I mean, I need to drink water each day but that's not much of a goal. <g>

It has been my observation that those who adopt the goals I originally responded with are, by far, the most happy, at-peace, joy-filled people I know.

There is a truism that one cannot give what one does not possess, so in that sense, yes, we need to tend to our needs. There are those in Christendom who neglect themselves and call that spiritual. I don't think so. but on the other hand I don't think I should get so caught up in making sure my needs are met that I forget others. Balance, combined with the right attitude in one's relationship with God is what is key in my mind. That balance is essentially remembering that He is God and I am not. <bg>

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>Is it okay with you that someone has an egoistic motive on #1 and an altruistic motive on #2 or perhaps even lower, let's say on #5? Or should #1 be an altruistic motive?

Well, there are two answers I can provide here. One is to restate the goals I already have. The other is to remind you thta you have the priviledge and responsibility for your choices. All I can really do (practically and in good conscience) is to encourage you.

I can't choose for you and I wouldn't attempt to do so but I can reason with you - if you are in a reasonable frame of mind.

Additionally, I don't know the motives of others and so about the best I can do is respond to what they say and do, using, as much as possible, good judgement in that process. There can be two different people who 'do' the same act. One can do that act out of pure motives and the secomnd out of impure motives. I think God looks at the motives first, not the actions.