by Mariana T.
Member since:
May 10, 2006

WHAT IS YOUR FUNCTION ON PLANET EARTH?

May 27, 2006 01:58 AM EDT
views: 93 | rating: 9.9/10 (14 votes) | comments: 47

I know some of you are out there in Gather's Gondwandaland trying to think of what to write next.  Let me help you out.  Please tell me.  What is Your Function on Planet Earth?  I've asked this question of folks all over the place and am really interested in what you have to say.  Don't worry about spelling, grammar or any of that stuff.  That doesn't concern me in the least.  I just want to know what's inside of you.  Thank you.  Salud, Mariana

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Comments: 47

Nathan Schauer May 27, 2006, 7:47am EDT
Great topic -
My function, my intention is to free myself from concepts and fixed pts of view. My intention is to cherish all living beings with a boundless heart.
My intention is to experience my life - each moment being alive.
CHARLENE C. May 27, 2006, 9:39am EDT
I am here on planet earth to feel. I am here to experience all those life events that create emotional joy and pain. I get through each day by praying and asking God to walk with me with every decision I make. I function each day by serving God.
Clare Stella May 27, 2006, 10:06am EDT
My functions on earth are 1.) to love my children and 2.) to understand addiction, and 3.) to break the cycles of my family's past.
Mariana T. May 27, 2006, 11:54am EDT
Thank you Nathan, Charlene and Clare. Those are all beautiful and wonderful functions. I appreciate what you said, Nathan. Everywhere I go, I spark conversation this way. It's the title of a book I started...What is Your Function on Planet Earth...
covers so many folks and so many functions. Someone told me - To plant a garden and actually eat vegetables from it.
Blessings folks,
Salud,
jessie voigts May 27, 2006, 12:27pm EDT
mariana - great topic! my function is to love, to live well, to be happy, to spread joy and love. if you'd asked me 10 years ago, i would have answered differently - maybe with a job, or with some broader meta-analysis. but now, i think it is much simpler - if you're happy, and live with joy, it rubs off.
Darcy Altaville May 27, 2006, 12:48pm EDT
I think my function is to learn, love, and forgive. And remember that we are all works in progress, and it's not so much the destination that counts, it is how you travel the journey.
Cat Warren May 27, 2006, 12:57pm EDT
I always want to ask people this question, especially when I get angry in public places. I believe everyone should have to be able to justify their oxygen.
Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer May 27, 2006, 1:00pm EDT
I came to this incarnation to experience life and to help others through those experiences.

Cat, you always make me smile. I've looked at a couple of people and thought they don't deserve the air they breath.
Mariana T. May 27, 2006, 1:02pm EDT
Thank you Darcy - I totally agree - it's why my art is my passion - I start with a blank canvas and just start working on it - I love the freedom of doing this and using whatever comes my way...sometimes I forget to eat and only go inside when I really have to pee! Yes, it's not the destination - and the journey should be all those great moments you fill with good thoughts, vibes and ART!!!!
Carol Voigts May 27, 2006, 1:05pm EDT
Way back in early feb. Gary Engstrom asked the same question "My purpose in life." Only 3 of us responded to his challenge at that time. Mine was My Purpose
I hope you have more response this time and I hope you'll read mine from way back then.
Mariana T. May 27, 2006, 1:10pm EDT
I will definitely go read it, Carol! Thanks. I've been asking this question - "What is Your Function on Planet Earth" since the 70's and have recorded loads of responses as you can imagine! Some of the most profound are the shortest - To love.
Colonel Possum May 27, 2006, 1:16pm EDT
M.T.

My function on earth is to remember to feed 3 dogs, 12 cats and 21 doves, pickup the resulting poop and then throw it into three different compost piles. I spread the bird compost on plants which makes them happy. The dog & cat compost makes the worms happy.

Cheers,

Colonel Possum
Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer May 27, 2006, 1:46pm EDT
Good idea, Carol... this was My Purpose in response to Gary's Challenge
Mariana T. May 27, 2006, 1:59pm EDT
Beautifully written Liz - thank you - That is your calling, your purpose...what an amazing woman you are - I'm really inspired and I totally understand what you mean -
as far as fear - someone, I believe Christopher C. said - You go where your mind takes you...so put fear on the backburner...
and your function - (oh yes, a difference ) changes periodically - I like that - it's one of the reasons I asked : What is Your Function on Planet Earth? Thank you so very much for commenting, Liz.
Ludie Gee May 27, 2006, 2:27pm EDT
Fantastic topic for discussion Mariana - wow LIZ! - thank you for this.
I really don't know what my function is here unless it be to learn as much as possible and make this a training ground for the next place.
Laura Serena aka AstroGirl May 27, 2006, 5:00pm EDT
Good topic, Mariana, and a difficult question. I don't know if I know the answer and anyway, what I think about it will probably change. It sure has changed in the past.

Recently I had to make some difficult choices that made me really think about what's important to me. I think maybe my purpose in life is to find and realize my own definition of freedom and to help others do the same for themselves. That and to eat Indian food. :-)
Peter M. May 27, 2006, 8:33pm EDT
Always an interesting question, and one that changes as we move through different phases of life. My function is to BE love and the BE compassion. My function is to-- through whatever circumstances the Universe might toss my way-- somehow contribute to reducing people's personal suffering. I am a listener, a healer and a lightworker. My function is to learn, so I may teach. My hope is to live peacefully, and to take up only a small footprint on this fragile ball of rock we inhabit. My function is to know and learn from my mistakes and old patterns, so that when I go forth I'll at least be making NEW mistakes, not the same old ones. My function is to write, and to simply observe what IS.
Darcy Altaville May 27, 2006, 8:52pm EDT
Yes, I believe my function is also to create Mariana. And at your request here is a link to my art website and of course, you will find there, a link to my store. Thanks so much for the comps.
http://www.bluejudestudio.com
Would love to see your artwork as well!
Mariana T. May 27, 2006, 8:58pm EDT
Darcy - thanks so much - Yes, I wanted everyone to be aware of what wonderful art you produce - you recycle - you rekindle the old days - you create new memories out of old memorabilia - wonderful work - My art? It changes - it's dancing on top of the piano right now in the form of finger prints in the dust - ok, I'll try to come up with something tangible - let's say this - my purpose or mission is to acknowledge my creativity, my function is to produce it - which I'm doing - in all areas...with many things! Salud,
0000-twobraincells-0000 May 27, 2006, 9:35pm EDT
I am here doing time for crimes committed in another life on another solar system. My purpose, according to the cosmic court, is to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable....
OK...I stole the quote from a mr Reston, I think
Mariana T. May 27, 2006, 9:37pm EDT
Ok, John, that's your purpose...the question is: What is Your Function on Planet Earth?
libramoon C. May 27, 2006, 10:21pm EDT
My dharmic mission seems to be to take in as much as will fit of the vastness of experiences, synthesize it into inner vision, and manifest that transformed vision back out into the world. It's a dirty job, but some of us are driven to do it.

Peace,
libramoon
Mariana T. May 27, 2006, 10:55pm EDT
You are achieving your mission Your function is writing - that is what you are doing - and not only doing - but doing it very well. thank you for sharing Libramoon...
John Dice May 28, 2006, 1:01am EDT
being a songwriter /musician .......i look at my function in life like it look at my art... it`s all in the live performance....
it`s there for the moment to be embraced by those present who are capable to do so.......to free myself from distraction so i can become the tool needed for whatever it is to get out......no judgement, no ego, sharing sound , leading and being led......inspired and inspiring....interacting with living things.....and as the moment fades into another one....knowing that for a little while we went to and shared a better space.....
Mariana T. May 28, 2006, 1:43am EDT
Thank you Candida - I presented this question for several reasons. It is very interesting to read the answers. One learns quite a bit about people by how they answer the question - I appreciate you clarifying the term function...I have received such excellent comments, I didn't want to tell folks that there is a big difference between the word purpose and the word function....Thank you, Candida. You are helping so many - that is a beautiful function. Salud, Mariana
Mariana T. May 28, 2006, 1:49am EDT
Beautifully said, John. I would love to hear your music. I like how you said..."knowing that for a little while we went to and shared a better space." Thank you for sharing that.
Bonnie L. May 28, 2006, 3:09am EDT
Great topic Mariana...only I don't think I'd know what to write about. I haven't figured out my purpose yet.
Mariana T. May 28, 2006, 3:12am EDT
Thank you Bonnie...but your purpose is not the question. What's your Function on Planet Earth...
you're already there.
Annina Anton May 28, 2006, 8:44am EDT
Early on I had my dad's thoughtful and philosophic guidance. He told me, "Our job in this life is to figure out what the hell is going on." :-) He also said, "Our job is also to leave the world a better place than when we got here."

He managed to achieve both of these, and I'm grateful that I had his advice and example.
Laura Serena aka AstroGirl May 28, 2006, 3:46pm EDT
Well, now that you've pointed out the difference between function and purpose (are you a Virgo?), I guess I could say my function is to observe and write about my observations.
Mariana T. May 28, 2006, 4:01pm EDT
Astro Girl - That is your function because you are doing it! No, not a Virgo - tellme more about Virgos, though. It's a question, I've asked for years and folks seem to always talk about their purpose - rather than their function...I love all the comments I'm getting...I am just hoping someone writes a haiku about funciton vs. purpose so I don't have to sound like a school teacher!
Laura Serena aka AstroGirl May 28, 2006, 7:57pm EDT
Virgos are very precise with language. That's all I meant by that. It was a compliment.

One haiku coming right up, though it's probably unwise of me to say that before I've written one.
Mariana T. May 28, 2006, 8:02pm EDT
Your intentions are all good - and yes, girl, I could easily be a Virgo except aren't they neat nuts? My house is uh - well, lets say there are books ranging from Parliament of Whores by P.J. O'Rourke to the Western Garden Books strewn all over a very dusty house! Thanks I can't wait for you to post a Haiku article again!!!
Carl, Prince of Prose, Villain of Verse May 28, 2006, 8:20pm EDT
Well, I've done good and I've done harm. Now that my ambitions are either realized or forgotten, I can devote time to doing more good.
Linda Douglas May 28, 2006, 8:23pm EDT
I have long felt that my function is to serve others, learn patience, and be the peace I wish to see in the world (thank you to MG).
Laura Serena aka AstroGirl May 28, 2006, 8:42pm EDT
Here's my haiku, though I'm sure it's a tad optimistic:
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976755918
Mariana T. May 28, 2006, 8:55pm EDT
Thank you so very much, Astro Girl...It's wonderful!!!
Arielle K. May 28, 2006, 10:28pm EDT
Hmm...that's a tough one! I guess I would have to be completely cheesy and say my function on earth is to be the best Arielle I can be. In other words, do as much good as I can, love my family and friends, be successful not only in business but in family and life, and to just breathe and relax and take things as they come.
Mariana T. May 29, 2006, 1:34am EDT
Thanks Arielle - -beautiful name - and I appreciate your comments!
Mariana T. May 29, 2006, 2:23pm EDT
I agree Marina. And, what are you doing now?
mona d. May 30, 2006, 11:43am EDT
my initial response is: not to be part of the problem.
i am here to care for as many animals as possible.
i am here to share love, compassion and patience.
oh, and to cook and bake!
Benita K. May 31, 2006, 7:37am EDT
My function! Well in childhood it was to play. And as an adult it is to remember how it was I played - with the heart of a child I hope.
Leah Christensen Jun 3, 2006, 4:08am EDT
I'm still trying to figure that out, but I'm pretty sure it has something-or-other to do with writing and creativity.

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