I've had nights
Where I'm driving home, or walking (if I've been drinking) where I notice the stars, or animals going about their nightly business, and think deeply such things.

As far as I am concerned, there is no "big answer", we are a species of animal who has conquered the planet due to taking the opportunities given to us, such as the omnivorous nature of our diet (basically our species will eat anything, its society that dictates otherwise) and the migration across land masses.

You're in the best age as far as I'm concerned, we are at the peak of civilisation, make the most of it. In the Napoleonic era, you and me would be sent off to foreign lands as cannon fodder, or made to work in mines, stuffy mills, or end up in prison for not paying taxes 4 times our annual wages.

We have always been competitive, mainly down to the survival instincts we all still possess, although sadly no longer need. War is just the result of an advancement of this.
It may sound sick, or wrong to some people, but we as a species need (for want of a better word) it, it is another way nature tries to keep our species in check, although this isn't going to happen, society has made sure of this.

I've been through many times where I've thought, sod this, I want out, but there has always been something I concentrate my efforts on, such as:

My job (i've had really shit ones, which haven't helped, so I've looked for others)

My cars, I have a toy I use rarely (mainly due to it's fuel consumption, but its a pet project to work on when all else fails)

My pets, I got these so I know if I don't come home one day, there will always be dependants, so spurs me away from the "end it all" thoughts.

My family, I'm lucky to have a family where I know they will always be there for me if I have a problem, I know some people don't have this, so I make the most of it.

I've realised that mundaneness (is that a word?) and boredom has spured my thoughts on, try doing something you've never done before, never had any interest in, grasp an opportunity and take it.

Always keep learning, never stop your brain from increasing it's knowledge, the more you know, the more you'll realise there is a big wide world of opportunity and options out there, regardless of what you may think.

You sound very much like me, you analyse and take too much of situations before realising that, hey, does this *really* affect me so much?

Sit down and make a list of things you'd like to fulfil, and things that upset you, it'll make you think about where you can improve your outlook on life, the universe and everything.

*Always* seek advice whenever you are not quite sure of something. There is no such thing as a stupid question.
(Ethelred is watching cheese grow, Sat 26 Jul 2008, 10:21, Reply)