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Survival Instinct

ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

TOR

TOR Report 3 Apr 2008 15:59

Why do humans have such a strong survival instinct ?

Life throws all kinds of crap at us but still we decide to stick with it.

Is it in the hope things will improve, or are we conditioned to believe life is sacred ?

I don't have the answer - anyone else know or are we all lost and wondering ?

T.O.R. x

AnnCardiff

AnnCardiff Report 3 Apr 2008 16:02

I would say we stick with it cos we just don't want to die!! simple as. I'm a supreme optimist, convinced I will one day win big time on the lottery and have never wavered in my belief of that!! Daft I know but there it is. We all have crap thrown at us and my lovely old Mum always used to say "God never gives you more than you can handle" I think she was wrong, I've been given more than I could handle at times, but somehow you get through it. Don't know if that answers your question? D'you have a particular problem at the minute that has led to this thread?

Ann XXXX

TOR

TOR Report 3 Apr 2008 16:12

Hi Ann

but why don't we want to die - I was raised in a religious background so told after death we went to heaven which is this 'wonderful' place with no pain, suffering, poverty, etc. So why do humans cling on to life so much ?

As regards particular problem thanks for asking but nothing I own't deal with.

T.O.R. xx

AnnCardiff

AnnCardiff Report 3 Apr 2008 16:15

presumably because we can't really believe it - I'd really love to believe it and as a committed Christian I should but there is that nagging doubt - however, since my lovely husband died, dying doesn't bother me anymore cos there is just that chance we will meet again! Now wouldn't that be nice!! Hope that's not depressed anyone

Ann XXX

TOR

TOR Report 3 Apr 2008 16:18

Sorry if I'm treading on thin ice here but your answer tends to phrase the question better than I did.

You hope that there will be something or someone better - I agree it would be lovely - but why do we have that inbuilt doubt that acts as the survival instinct?

Sorry I know this is heavy for a Thursday afternoon.

T.O.R. xx

Amanda2003

Amanda2003 Report 3 Apr 2008 16:20

I think adversity gives me strength........when I have been forced by circumstance to deal with awful situations I have always been able to muster the courage to get on with things.
Sadly not all people can..........some give up and do indeed take their own lives.

Amanda xx

TOR

TOR Report 3 Apr 2008 16:33

Amanda you use the words strength and sadly but

if an individual is suffering, physically or emotionally, should we not be happy that they find the strength to follow their solution through ?

And are they not stronger than those who don't have that conviction and just muddle along hoping things will improve ?

T.O.R. ;o))

AnnCardiff

AnnCardiff Report 3 Apr 2008 16:35

that is so true Amanda - I sopeak as someone who has suffered Clinical Depression for about fifteen years now and at one time about eleven years ago decided to top myself!!! I really meant never to wake up again but so very glad I did - I thought when my husband died I would have succumbed but my medication kept me going, without it there could have been a different outcome. All life has a survival instinct - that includes all; animals and insects too and a lot of them don't have any thought processes to speak of - perhaps we question too much!!

Peipal

Peipal Report 3 Apr 2008 16:41

There is also the idea that "this is all there is" if thats so then death is fear of the unknown so the human instinct is to cling on to life rather than face the unknown

But on the other side of the coin is this

Some people have to fight to stay as long as they can so they can help others or for family reasons

I spent all day Saturday talking to one such lady, but her time is now close \nd i may never talk to my friend again but over the time i have known her she has inspired so many

so perhaps that was what made her fight for life to inspire so many others ??

Sxx

TOR

TOR Report 3 Apr 2008 16:44

There are very view of us who can claim to have inspired others though Steve.

Many of us just get born, live an uneventful life and then die missed by a few but soon forgotten.

T.O.R. x

Peipal

Peipal Report 3 Apr 2008 17:22

very true T i will be one of them but hey ho thats what i was born for

i will never change the world or inspire anyone but mebby i have made someone smile when they felt down if so thats enough for me

ButtercupFields

ButtercupFields Report 3 Apr 2008 17:47

Well you make ME smile, Stevie, so that's ok then"-) TOR, we are dumped here into life without our sayso, and the way I see it is...this is IT so make the most of it as the alternative is soooo boring, don't you think? I once told a friend of mine that I couldn't bear to think that life would go on without me! lol...but it does and it will%3A-%29 BC XX

Cumbrian Caz~**~

Cumbrian Caz~**~ Report 3 Apr 2008 21:24

Hi TOR,


I keep going because i always believe that things will be better, that life will improve, i try for those i love, my kids, Oh , Parents, I keep resilient and stay strong because i feel its the only way,


Hugs hun,


Caz xxxxxxxxx