What We Believe

If no God exists to give us meaning
and purpose, what would we have to do?
Create our own meaning and purpose—
How?
By our desires?
Work, addiction, desires, cravings, survival—
Many to most of us survive—
We create meaning in surviving—
Enough money to feed, clothe, and live
in apartments or homes,
and with the spare money,
Pursue hobbies—
Fishing, boating, golfing, shooting,
Playing music, taking drugs,
worshipping God—
All to create meaning
for ourselves—
What if we lose our jobs?
We lose our identity—
We're not police officers, mechanics,
teachers—
Our meaning is gone—
Until we create new labels
to identify ourselves—
Who are we?
What are we?
Am I more than my job?
More than what I profess to believe?
What do we do with ourselves?
What am I supposed to believe?
That I'm a slave to what I most desire?
Money, drugs, sex, boats, cars, planes?
What I want?
Is that who I am?
We are what we believe.

Jean is a regular contributor. His latest publications will be featured in the 2024 Dwarf Stars Anthology which were originally published in 2023 by Aphelion Webzine.

Find more by Jean Jones in the Author Index.

Comment on this story in the Aphelion Forum

Return to Aphelion's Index page.