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Sometimes when I tell people that children and family are the meaning of life they get triggered.

“It’s not for everyone” they’ll say.

And granted the odds that you find deep rooted and lasting meaning in some sort of passion, hobby or career is not zero….

But let’s be honest it’s pretty damn close to zero.

I say this not to trigger or shame, but because it’s true.

Just like Bitcoin is the truth so is this.

Children are the meaning of life.

It’s why we are here.

ElectriCal 11mo ago

Most of these replies focus on the "children" part of your post. I think the "family" end can provide ample meaning in life as well. My wife and I do not have children. That was a choice we made for many solid reasons, and I would not change it. However, I am surrounded by friends/ coworkers/ / siblings that have children and I absolutely see how their lives have more meaning... at times I envy that.

However, although we have no children, we have taken care of my wife's father at the end of his life, and that was a deeply meaningful experience. We plan on moving halfway across the US in a couple years to do the same for her mother, then again for my parents (all in different states). We can only do this because we don't have children, but we seek to serve the elderly in our family. It brings meaning to my life. Sure, different than children, but meaning non the less.

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Josh Fabean 11mo ago

Not arguing, you're allowed to not have children and be happy about it, but want to point out you totally can move across the country and take care of family when you have children. I literally did it this year, took my oldest son and drove cross county to take care of my father who got diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Then a week later my wife and other children came.

HODL 11mo ago

I took care of both my parents as they were dying while having children simultaneously. Probably the hardest period of my life, but as an only child it was my cross to bare.

Josh Fabean 11mo ago

Agreed, last year was the hardest year of my life with all of that, but no one said life was supposed to easy. I'm glad my dad was able to see all his grandchildren before he died.

ElectriCal 11mo ago

Good on you both for doing that. You know why it is important.

I was not saying kids and caring are incompatible. I was saying that we have been able to fill a role that not only helps our parents, but also eases the burden on my siblings. Kids were not part of my life trajectory, but family has still been a source of deep meaning.

HODL 11mo ago

What were the solid reasons to not have children?

Trivw21🟣⚡ 11mo ago

I think there shouldn't be.

And seen from different angles we can get different reasons.

* Not having children because life is increasingly difficult in the fiduciary world.

* If you are a Bitcoiner the first one shouldn't be an option.

"family is the most important thing we can have" and that phrase has more weight when we start our own family.

ElectriCal 11mo ago

I agree, it does have more weight if you start your own family. But not everyone takes that route, and that is okay too. Not every person has the same path to meaning. I think the important thing is that as someone without children, I recognize and honor those who do, as they are doing something beautiful. It wasn't my path, but I support it. I'm not one of those idiot DINKs on social media trying to brag about how smart and free I am for not having kids. Those people are truly childish.

Trivw21🟣⚡ 11mo ago

Thank you for your opinion. Now I ask you. If you don't have children, where will your offspring go and where will all the money you have accumulated with great effort during your journey through life go? Children are our way of contributing to tomorrow and the future, and we must work on that basis.

ElectriCal 11mo ago

I'm not sure where anything I have will go in the future. I have to think about that.

It sounds like you believe children are the only way to contribute forward. Is that the case? Why is money moving forward the only aspect you bring up? Plato, Davinci, Newton, Whitman, Poe... none had children, but wouldn't you agree that their contributions still echo through history? Tesla died penniless and never had a child, yet you are likely sitting in a building lit and heated by his legacy.

I'm not saying I am even close to the level of those people, but I do think there are plenty of other ways to use a life to be of service to others and contribute things that will last far beyond my years.

Trivw21🟣⚡ 11mo ago

I don't think that having children is the only way to contribute to the future, it's just an undeniable fact that in the end that also contributes. And I understand your point of view, it's just that each one gives it a different perspective. I'll mention money only as an example, obviously who keeps your job and money is not the most important thing. But if we talk about that aspect, I would prefer that my assets remain in the hands of my children, than that they end up in other hands other than mine.

ElectriCal 11mo ago

Fair enough. Keep up the good work of raising your kids.

Trivw21🟣⚡ 11mo ago

Thank you 🙏🤠

It is honestly not an easy job, I am not an expert or anything similar, just like in bitcoin, another apprentice trying to advance (be a father).

But I can assure you 100% that every minute you spend on it is worth it. And believe me, I also had a time without children and where only I mattered.

The most wonderful and shocking and also inexplicable thing is that little by little you stop being that selfish person who only looks out for yourself, and you begin to prioritize not only your well-being but that of your children and your family! I hope one day you can also enjoy that wonderful stage of life. And thanks for the debate

ElectriCal 11mo ago

My wife deals with some tough anxiety issues, especially around taking care of pets, food prep, etc. So that was one thing that made us reluctant.

We also spent years working as leaders at an at-risk youth program. We met some parents who definitely were the reason their kids were struggling, but we also met really good parents who were dealt an incredibly rough hand. I think that put us off the idea of kids, just knowing that you could get a life-wrecking experience even if you did everything right.

I'll be honest, I do wish I had children sometimes. My niece is an incredible source of joy in my life, and I can't imagine how much greater that joy would be if I had a child of my own.

But, we are in our late forties, and that window has passed us by. I try to find other ways to be of service to others to find that meaning. Isn't that the real reason kids are so amazing? Being presented with a ton of motivation to give of yourself on their behalf... having something more important than yourself? I have to find that in other ways. It's tough, but doable.