"Go Get a Life!!!" Ok. But What Does "Having a Life" Really Mean?

[seoulsearch]

Hey Everyone,

I've actually had the idea for this thread for about 2 years (does that make it a zombie thread??!! )

Back when Singles chat was extremely active most nights, we were having problems with a "Jack-like" troll who would enter the room under numerous new names, confront a few specific users with a battery of insults that resembled a drive-by shooting, then dodge out, only to return again and repeat the entire cycle repeatedly, always trying to start a fight. Fortunately, we had a mod in the room with us who was working hard to solve the problem.

One particular night, our Friendly Neighborhood Troll came into the room and tried to directly insult the moderator by saying, "All you ever do is waste all your time sitting here on CC!! YOU REALLY NEED TO GET A LIFE!!" To their credit, the moderator was extremely calm and didn't even bother answering. (I was amused by the fact that our Friendly Neighborhood Troll was spending all of HIS time on CC as well, except that he was using it to attack people instead instead of helping them, as our moderator was doing.)

Watching this take place got me thinking as to what "having a life" really means, anyway, especially since this phrase is almost always used an an insult or a self-deprecating put-down ("I have no life!")

Here are some questions to consider (feel free to just pick a few or answer them all if you like):

* What does "getting a life" mean to you? (Do you know someone who "has the life" you wish you had?)

* What is the difference between having a simple life vs. having no life at all?

* Have you ever told someone to "get a life"? Why did you feel this way about them?

* Do you feel you are the one who "has no life"? If so, what steps are you taking to "get a life" of your own?

I realize we're probably going to several replies such as, "Those who live for Christ are the only ones who have true life!", but what exactly does a "real" Christian life look like, anyway?

 

[wwjd_kilden]

Re: "Go Get a Life!!!" Ok. But What Does "Having a Life" Really Mean?

You just had to come up with a really difficult question, didn't you?

had?)

* What is the difference between having a simple life vs. having no life at all?
I think having "no life" is, like you said, an insult, and not a very real thing.

* Have you ever told someone to "get a life"? Why did you feel this way about them?
No, but I am tempted to say it to trolls

* Do you feel you are the one who "has no life"? If so, what steps are you taking to "get a life" of your own?
At times.
I guess "getting a life" would involve finding something to do where I felt useful and accepted, rather than being a burden, like I felt at my call center job.

 

[NewWine]

Re: "Go Get a Life!!!" Ok. But What Does "Having a Life" Really Mean?

When I tell someone to "get a life" I am implying that if they spent as much time worrying about their life as they seem to spend worrying about my life, they would find the fulfillment I have found and wouldn't need to harass me.

 

[Grace-Like-Rain]

Re: "Go Get a Life!!!" Ok. But What Does "Having a Life" Really Mean?

* What does "getting a life" mean to you? (Do you know someone who "has the life" you wish you had?)

I honestly have never wanted anyone else's life. Usually people who have it all together or appear to have wonderful lives are dealing with their own difficulties. At least I am well acquainted with my OWN difficulties!

* What is the difference between having a simple life vs. having no life at all?

I have a pretty simple life, and sometimes I wonder if I have no life. I think the parts that make me wonder involve a lot of wasted time where I have nothing to show for it. I think of the parable of the ten gold coins in Luke 19, which is really about good stewardship. This applies to a lot more than just money. Time is even more precious than money, so we have to be careful not to waste it. But being busy in itself doesn't really mean anything. It's WHAT we are busy with that counts.

* Have you ever told someone to "get a life"? Why did you feel this way about them?

I haven't ever told anyone this, but I've thought it. Usually because they've lived their whole life having contributed absolutely nothing to themselves, to the world, to people around them, or to the kingdom of God. Harsh, I know.

* Do you feel you are the one who "has no life"? If so, what steps are you taking to "get a life" of your own?

I actually have more free time than most people probably do due to the flexible nature of my jobs, but I also have poured my life into my family and have tried to be deliberate in loving others around me, so I HOPE that this constitutes a life. After my kids are grown, we will have to reevaluate and see...

 

[NewWine]

Re: "Go Get a Life!!!" Ok. But What Does "Having a Life" Really Mean?

Sorry I didn't notice this was in the singles forum. I am not single so feel free to disregard my reply

 

[Grace-Like-Rain]

Re: "Go Get a Life!!!" Ok. But What Does "Having a Life" Really Mean?

Sorry I didn't notice this was in the singles forum. I am not single so feel free to disregard my reply

Your contribution is appreciated regardless, NewWine.

 

[MultilingualMessenger]

Re: "Go Get a Life!!!" Ok. But What Does "Having a Life" Really Mean?

Here are some questions to consider (feel free to just pick a few or answer them all if you like):

* What does "getting a life" mean to you?

I usually think "find a hobby" in place of "get a life", and the phrase kinda gives up what I think "getting a life" means

 

[Lost_sheep]

Re: "Go Get a Life!!!" Ok. But What Does "Having a Life" Really Mean?

...I have no idea what the phrase means. I've had it hurled at me so many times I lost count (not that I bothered to keep count, but ya know...). I didn't understand it then, and I don't understand it now.

I think I have a life. I take care of my Father. I go to school. I study my Bible. I machine parts to build lightsabers. I like to go shoot my pistols. I meet up with friends about once a month for lunch or a movie night. *shrug* I think I have a life, but I guess it's subjective.

 

[zeroturbulence]

Re: "Go Get a Life!!!" Ok. But What Does "Having a Life" Really Mean?

The answer is somewhere in this game..

 

[melita916]

Re: "Go Get a Life!!!" Ok. But What Does "Having a Life" Really Mean?

anytime i've heard the phrase being said [i've never heard it towards me], it was someone telling another "get out of my business." in other words, "you must be so bored in your life that you're all up in mine."

 

[ntw1103]

Re: "Go Get a Life!!!" Ok. But What Does "Having a Life" Really Mean?

Starting a Zombie thread from scratch, Impressive. haha

While I was in school, there was a professor who would often tell students to get a life. In most cases, I don't think this professor knew the students well enough to declare that they didn't have a life, even if you are using his definition of a life.
One day, he addressed the students, and this time I was part of that group at the start of the class about getting a life.(I believe they were talking about computer games when he came in) I didn't say anything.
Later at the end of class, he announced some event that was happening after class in the room over, and encouraged people to go. Another student asked if I was going, and I said no. The professor then asked why not. I told him "Because I have a life." and then gave a micro speech about my life, family, jobs, other classes, and responsibilities... I may have gone a little overboard.

The next time he told students to get a life, he added "Except for Nathan, he has one."

To me, getting a life means not wasting the life you have. If your focus isn't on Jesus, you are wasting your time.(not to say that every single thing you do has to be with Jesus in mind, but what are your priorities in life, your 'life goals'?)
My life is far from simple, but it has moments that are very simple. There are plenty of times that when looked on from the outside, would appear boring.

I have never told anyone to get a life, but I've been tempted to say it to my brother from time to time.(he is not a very motivated sometimes, and spends too much time playing computer games)

This thread makes me think of a book by Ken Davis called Fully Alive. It is a good read. One of the things it talks about, is how people give up on living before they are dead, and essentially become zombies.
There was one line in particular that stood out to me. I don't have the book handy, or I'd get a direct quote, but it was something along the lines of "Breathing heavy is a symptom of being alive." This is part of why I like being active, I like feeling alive. There is more to being alive though, than just the physical.

John 10:10 says "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." I don't know about you, but I want an abundant life.

 

[seoulsearch]

Re: "Go Get a Life!!!" Ok. But What Does "Having a Life" Really Mean?

You just had to come up with a really difficult question, didn't you?

* Do you feel you are the one who "has no life"? If so, what steps are you taking to "get a life" of your own?
At times.
I guess "getting a life" would involve finding something to do where I felt useful and accepted, rather than being a burden, like I felt at my call center job.

Well wwjd, people once told me to "Get a life", so I started asking questions, and the rest is history!

You hit a really good point here in that we are all searching for purpose and meaning--which seems to be the very reason God created life to begin with.

When I tell someone to "get a life" I am implying that if they spent as much time worrying about their life as they seem to spend worrying about my life, they would find the fulfillment I have found and wouldn't need to harass me.

NewWine, this was a fantastic answer and I hope you'll stay with us. We have many married friends here in Singles who give us invaluable insights and encouragement (and hopefully we brighten their day, too), so please stay with us.

Grace, I loved your thoughts about how a high-quality life means investing it into those around us.

I have loved everyone's answers here and hope people will continue to share their thoughts.

I love "torturing" my Mom, even though I'm an adult (supposedly .) I was waiting to have lunch with her but as usual, she had a long list of things to "finish" before we could eat and so I just waited, and waited... and waited. And when she was finally ready, she told me, "Well, it's too late to have 'brunch', and I'm not sure what it's called when someone eats 'lunch' this late..."

"I know what it's called when people eat this late, Mom. It's called... 'DINNER'!!", which made her laugh.

I also walked into the kitchen to see a line of sweet potatoes assembled on the counter that just happened to resemble... Well, I won't mention it here, but I had to point it out to her by saying, "MOM!! Are you trying to give me an anatomy lesson???! We already had this talk when I was 9!"

My Mom took one look, gasped, and said, "Oh my. OH MY!!!" And in the midst of our hysterical peals of laughter, she very quickly rearranged the potatoes so that they didn't resemble anything.

Spending the afternoon waiting to eat crackers and peanut butter with family doesn't seem like much of a life. But when it's seasoned with moments like this, these are the times when I truly feel like I'm living.

 

[crosstweed]

Re: "Go Get a Life!!!" Ok. But What Does "Having a Life" Really Mean?

Yes and no on the "Do you 'have a life'?" question. I have days where I utterly despair of doing anything productive with my life, or accomplishing my goals, and I'm very down on myself - and then I have other days where I'm like, "Life is cool. I'm awesome." Nothing has necessarily changed situationally... it's just a reflection of my current mood and outlook on life.

What am I doing to change my status of "not having a life" [by the standards of a great many people]? Sometimes I go out and learn a random skill or piece of knowledge that may or may not ever come in handy. Then I'm like, "Hey! I improved myself today." But usually I ignore the feeling. There's only so much that's in my power to change.

Yes. I have told someone to get a life. I don't remember the circumstances, but they were probably behaving in an inappropriate or inconsiderate way.

Yes, I have been told to get a life. I could have deserved it... or the perpetrator of the insult could have simply been behaving in an inappropriate or inconsiderate way. More than likely I made them mad and that was the best insult they could come up with at the time.

 

[wisebeardman]

Re: "Go Get a Life!!!" Ok. But What Does "Having a Life" Really Mean?

i... i... i got nothing.

 

[Siberian_Khatru]

Re: "Go Get a Life!!!" Ok. But What Does "Having a Life" Really Mean?

You and your thread ideas, seoul. Seriously, get a life!

 

[Lynx]

Re: "Go Get a Life!!!" Ok. But What Does "Having a Life" Really Mean?

Actually when I was a moderator in an apostolic chatroom I was often thinking of certain people, "This guy needs a life." Basically what I meant in my head was "This guy has so little imagination that the best thing he can find to do with his time is come to a christian chatroom and cause trouble. How sad."

For myself, the only people who have told me to get a life were the trolls who had nothing better to do with their time than go to christian chatrooms and insult people.

But on the topic of chatrooms and getting a life, I'm reminded of people who sit in chat for a while and then complain "This chatroom is boring!" I would reply, "Well you're part of this chatroom, and it's boring... what does that say about you?" Admittedly it wasn't the most polite thing to say but it stopped the complaining.

 

[LeeUK]

Re: "Go Get a Life!!!" Ok. But What Does "Having a Life" Really Mean?

In March 2010 I suffered an injury that lead to difficulties with my eyes. I suffered for almost 5 years with extreme light sensitivity, shimmering/blurry vision and migraines which affected my whole life. It affected my work, my life at home and my social life. I went to many doctors/neurologists/opticians/hospitals etc, and all I was given was depression tablets and basically told to deal with it. In January 2015, I had a breakdown, I was at my lowest point in life and felt that suicide was the only way out. I loved my partner and my little boy but I just couldn't take it anymore. I turned to Jesus in my desperation and called out to Him for help. He was my last chance. I said that I would give my life as a servant to Him if he healed me. That Sunday I took my family to church and 4 days later the Lord lead me to discover glasses that would help me deal with my eye problems. Glasses that my optician said should not benefit me in any way. They didn't take away all the symptoms but they gave me a new lease of life as I could see better than I had done in years.

I praised God and true to my word I gave my life to Him. He gave me a scripture, Matthew 6:24-34. Before all this I loved making money, I worked for a pawnbroking business which made money by getting the poor into debt, and I would make a very good wage from side deals. I had a house full of the latest technology, big TV's, projectors, Rolex watches etc and I became very proud of my material things. When God gave me this scripture (Matthew 6:24-34), I knew it was time to leave my wicked job and loosen my grip on the material things of this world. In this scripture Jesus promises that if we seek FIRST the kingdom of God then all the things we need will be added unto us. I stood out in faith and began studying His Word, when all if a sudden my eyes became really bad, they became very blurry, so much that I couldn't leave the house because I could not see where I was going. For 2-3 months my eyes were like this and I prayed to God and asked Him why. I told Him I was doing everything He wanted me to do, but then I said that if it is your will for me to go blind then so be it. After almost 3 months of blurriness my eyes cleared up and all the problems I had been suffering with over the years had gone and I didn't even need the glasses anymore. Jesus healed me.

Now I am continuing to seek Him and follow the path He has for me. I know that once I am ready He will send me out to do His work.

I believe this is truly "getting a life".

God Bless.

 

[AsifinPassing]

Re: "Go Get a Life!!!" Ok. But What Does "Having a Life" Really Mean?

Sorry. I wrote a long response to this, but there was an error which caused me to lose a great deal of it. That makes me feel a little ill, so I'm going to pass on responding to this for now. I may try again later. Not your fault, so sorry for not giving the response...*sigh*

I think such moments would make my top 100 *most hated/disappointing/frustrating/sad/undesired moments* list. =/ At least with mobile apple products, they remember everything you type while typing it. In that regard, I'll give you props over windows apple. Thank you for resolving that heart-draining experience.

 

[Grace-Like-Rain]

Re: "Go Get a Life!!!" Ok. But What Does "Having a Life" Really Mean?

Sorry. I wrote a long response to this, but there was an error which caused me to lose a great deal of it. That makes me feel a little ill, so I'm going to pass on responding to this for now. I may try again later. Not your fault, so sorry for not giving the response...*sigh*

I think such moments would make my top 100 *most hated/disappointing/frustrating/sad/undesired moments* list. =/ At least with mobile apple products, they remember everything you type while typing it. In that regard, I'll give you props over windows apple. Thank you for resolving that heart-draining experience.

Ugh, I hate when that happens. As frustrating as it is, sometimes I find that what I write the second time is actually much better than whatever I'd originally written. So I hope you'll rewrite it once you are feeling less discouraged.

 

[Grace-Like-Rain]

Re: "Go Get a Life!!!" Ok. But What Does "Having a Life" Really Mean?

In March 2010 I suffered an injury that lead to difficulties with my eyes. I suffered for almost 5 years with extreme light sensitivity, shimmering/blurry vision and migraines which affected my whole life. It affected my work, my life at home and my social life. I went to many doctors/neurologists/opticians/hospitals etc, and all I was given was depression tablets and basically told to deal with it. In January 2015, I had a breakdown, I was at my lowest point in life and felt that suicide was the only way out. I loved my partner and my little boy but I just couldn't take it anymore. I turned to Jesus in my desperation and called out to Him for help. He was my last chance. I said that I would give my life as a servant to Him if he healed me. That Sunday I took my family to church and 4 days later the Lord lead me to discover glasses that would help me deal with my eye problems. Glasses that my optician said should not benefit me in any way. They didn't take away all the symptoms but they gave me a new lease of life as I could see better than I had done in years.

I praised God and true to my word I gave my life to Him. He gave me a scripture, Matthew 6:24-34. Before all this I loved making money, I worked for a pawnbroking business which made money by getting the poor into debt, and I would make a very good wage from side deals. I had a house full of the latest technology, big TV's, projectors, Rolex watches etc and I became very proud of my material things. When God gave me this scripture (Matthew 6:24-34), I knew it was time to leave my wicked job and loosen my grip on the material things of this world. In this scripture Jesus promises that if we seek FIRST the kingdom of God then all the things we need will be added unto us. I stood out in faith and began studying His Word, when all if a sudden my eyes became really bad, they became very blurry, so much that I couldn't leave the house because I could not see where I was going. For 2-3 months my eyes were like this and I prayed to God and asked Him why. I told Him I was doing everything He wanted me to do, but then I said that if it is your will for me to go blind then so be it. After almost 3 months of blurriness my eyes cleared up and all the problems I had been suffering with over the years had gone and I didn't even need the glasses anymore. Jesus healed me.

Now I am continuing to seek Him and follow the path He has for me. I know that once I am ready He will send me out to do His work.

I believe this is truly "getting a life".

God Bless.

LeeUK... WOW... thank you for sharing this amazing and miraculous testimony with us. I am so blessed by reading the things God has done for others. I praise God for your eyesight, and even more for your salvation and faithfulness to the Lord. Beautiful story.