Someone please tell me that I am not the only one with hardships aplenty.

Stuff happens to us all - that's just part of life. Granted, people with money can blow through the hard times a little better, in general, but they are not immune and it has nothing to do with Karma.

With me, my life went along very smoothly for over 50 years, with just the normal small bobbles, and then it was like the bottom fell out, and then I had to climb my way back out to firm ground. None of us is the first to have to deal with stuff in our lives we didn't create, but you deal with it and come through on the other side stronger and smarter for having gone through it.

You are in my prayers, OP.

My life has been full of extremes - very good and very bad. I certainly haven't lived a charmed life. Not Ozzie & Harriet. That only exists in TV land.

The world is absurd, meaningless - face it. It is random and cruel but also beautiful. According to philosophers like Albert Camus there are three ways to deal with it:

1. Suicide - which is not advocated because it only makes life more absurd;
2. Having faith in a Higher Power;
3. Embracing the absurdity and just living anyway.

Sometimes I hate life; sometimes I love it. I try to endure the bad times knowing they always pass. But it does seem that certain people have wonderful lives while others' lives are dogshit. There's no rhyme or reason for it. We live in a shithole that's one step above hell. We didn't ask to be here but we are and have to make the best if it. Life is suffering and for me there's meaning in its absurdity if I can help alleviate someone's suffering even a small bit.

This is the planet of chaos.

I read once there's an African tribe that mourns when a baby is born and celebrates when people are released by death. I think that's about right.

Camus also wrote a text fantasizing about murdering an Arab for no reason. I can see why he'd be a favorite with this crowd. Life is only absurd when you refuse to realize that people who are poor want to make other people stay poor as well. The rest follows from there. Rape victims are often malignant narcissists, if not abusers themselves. If you're getting philosophical about all this, it is a pretty natural development from the apathy of 'there but for the grace of God go I.' It's your liberalism, usually done on the backs of those attempting to achieve social mobility, that makes two people sick and miserable instead of one, then backs away slowly when there is justified anger at your meddling.

Rape victims are often malignant narcissists, if not abusers themselves.

You lost me at that sentence. I don't think you know what the fuck you are talking about. And I am so far from Liberalism. You sound like a true idiot.

Nah you’re not. My life is hell on earth and I often wish to not wake up in the morning.

It’s a result of my own sins though. Kinda.

I was mothered by two of them. It's a result not a cause, if that's what you were thinking I was saying. The constant calls to be faithful to family and to be a good son were from those who wanted the rosy picture, and they screwed up more lives than originally. Say 'it's not true,' if you want.

Thanks so much for your lovely comments.

And I never thought of it this way, that I should feel accomplished. That’s a delightful perspective.

Thanks again for the many helpful insights and comments.

still waiting OP

Early July and Virginia.

you are not. my entire life has been one disaster after another. Death, drugs, abuse, cancer, family splintered, parents and grandparents all dead. Lost a child to a drunk driver. Been unable to find a job for over a year, despite 25 years experience in my field, and over 1000 resumes sent out.

The end is nigh, I hope.

Life is hard for everyone.

Even if you had the life you think you wanted, you would realize it is not the answer.

My life was hard because some deranged people thought hurting you made you more compassionate. Hurting you makes you stupid.

Thanks for posting.

My family (not in-laws), MY own brothers blame me for my husband’s suicide. Sometimes, you just don’t end up with the family you deserve.

I’m so sorry to hear about your child. And again, thank you for your post and thank you for understanding.

Just wanted to thank everyone for this thread.

It was immensely helpful.