The Perfect Life...Heaven or Hell...
By twoey68
@twoey68 (13627)
United States
July 6, 2009 1:12pm CST
So, this morning I’m watching one of the old Twilight Zone shows and it really got me to thinking.
The show started out with a guy robbing a jewelry store and being shot by the police. Of course he died and this guy in a white suit appears named Pip…he’s like a guide. He takes the thief (named Rocky) to a grand home, gives him new clothes and anything he wants. Rocky asked for a million dollars and a beautiful woman…and gets them. So, he’s figures this has to be Heaven. For the next couple of weeks he has anything his heart desires…gambling, women, booze…the best of the best. Then he asks for some of his friends but Pip tells him that this place is just for him…that other than Pip and Rocky everything else is like movie props. Rocky doesn’t understand what he’s done to deserve such a great lifestyle but he’s willing to go along. After a couple more weeks though things change. Rocky is sick of always winning at gambling, he’s sick of the women, he’s sick of everything. He decides that he’s better suited for Hell after all. He tells Pip all this and then tells him that he doesn’t belong in Heaven and wants to go to Hell. Pip laughs and says “What makes you think this is Heaven…this is Hell, my friend”.
Although ppl think things would be perfect if everything were just how they wanted it, the truth is it would destroy us. We’d no longer have anything to work towards, any goals to achieve or any accomplishments to look forward to. Think of how many celebrities (living and dead) that look like they have everything anyone could ever have and then think of how horrible it would be to be stuck in that life. Sure I’d like things a little easier but there’s such a thing as too easy.
How long do you think you could stand for things to be perfect (remember it’s for you only)? Would an eternity of Rocky’s lifestyle (or your vision of a perfect lifestyle) be Heaven or Hell for you? Do you think that having everything you could ever want would be a blessing or a curse?
[b]**AT PEACE WITHIN**
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~[/b]
10 people like this
30 responses
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
7 Jul 09
it is normal and healthy to have some stress in life, that is what makes us the people we are and gives us backbone. I wouldn't like my life perfect, I need to have some challenges we all do, but I do wish it was easier than it is as I have more challenges than I can handle most of the time.
2 people like this
@scififan43 (2434)
• United States
6 Jul 09
I rember that epsiod very well. I think it was redone on the Night Gallery tv show which stearling hosted. Yes there was a clear point in the story. too much of plesure can be a bad think. we can't play all the time, we must do things things that are productive with our lives. I don't think I could be in rocky world at all. jsut some of the time then go back to mormal
2 people like this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
6 Jul 09
So called Perfect Life doesn't exist. We are searching for more, but in reality we have it all if we are alive. Some people have never enough and never realize how happy they are.
2 people like this
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
6 Jul 09
Probably a curse. To have everything I would want without having to learn or earn it means nothing. That just makes people lazy.
1 person likes this
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
6 Jul 09
That's very interesting, I haven't seen that one. I think having everything go easy or perfect would be Hell since I'm use to them going wrong LOL. I think having everything would be Hell.
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
6 Jul 09
This would not be a blessing for me. People usually do not value that which is given on a plate to them. They value what they have earned or worked for. would I like everything I wanted in life? No. All that I have i through the grace of God and hard work. I treasure what I have and look forward to entering eternal life - life as it is meant to be when I die on this earth.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
7 Jul 09
If I got everything I wanted, I would find something to do. And if I got s million dollars (from my mythical rich uncle) I would try to find something useful to do with it. I do have some good ideas. It would not matter if I deserved it, and how would i know if getting a whole lot of money is really a test? What if the person who gave me a million dollars was waiting for me to either live the life of Riley or help others with it? You have to examine the motives behind it.
As for Rocky and his predicament, I would not think that this is Heaven and I know this is not Hell. I would consider that something is amiss, especially if I robbed a bank. I mean, have not watched this episode, how long was it before Rocky was really in Hell with all the fire and brimstone? After all, when you are dying, time does stand still so maybe this million dollars and all these beautiful women seemed to take a while, but it might have been just the five seconds before he really was in Hell and the devil is a trickster. He can make you believe anything.
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
7 Jul 09
You are so right my friend! Having everything would make us not appreciate what we did have I would think! There are two sayings that have come to mean quite a bit to me. One is at the bottom of my e-mail. It says you can't appreciate the mountaintop if you never make the climb.
The other one is actually a song I believe, though I'm not sure who sings it...Garth Brooks maybe? I'm sure someone can tell me! It's called "Thank God for Unanswered Prayers".
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
7 Jul 09
I saw that one, too. The Twilight Zone was a masterpiece of a series! I think having everything you wanted with no challenges at all would be hell--boring, unsatisfying.
I saw one last night, I forget the title, about a man that wanted a woman to love him and got a potion. She loved him, alright, he was her entire life and wouldn't leave him alone for an instant. The moral: be careful what you wish for, you might get it! 
1 person likes this
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
7 Jul 09
Hi twoeye68,
give me two weeks of that and then I will let you know, never had a good life style in my life paying out too much and not enough coming in, not even enough to buy a pair of shoes, lol!1
Tamara
1 person likes this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
7 Jul 09
An eternity of Rocky's lifestyle would be Hell for me. He wasn't living right to begin with so he deserved Hell. Actually, nothing is perfect but I would be sick of it after a while, myself. I think having everything I ever wanted be be a curse. Material things are nice to have but they don't always last. Also, if you couldn't afford to pay for them all in one payment, think about all the bills you would have every month to get them paid off. Matthew 6;19 & 20 says, "Lay not up for yourselves treaures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves break through and steal; But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where niether moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal". Kathy.
1 person likes this
@anniefannie (1737)
• United States
7 Jul 09
i used to watch twilight zone all time but haven't in some time. i think we would not be satified if we got every thing we wanted i am glad that i get some of the things i want,
1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
14 Jul 09
Like what happened to Rocky it would be bliss for awhile but would be tiresome, I guess we could wish for more and more things to try to make up for it unless we only have so many wishes. maybe we could wish for peace? I would like to be able to read or watch all the movies except for horror ones..have a pet or two, and someone to talk to and connect with when I am lonely and they would have to look like someone I knew in life.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
14 Jul 09
Interesting thoughts and comments here, and one I feel that more people should really think about. I know that one day soon there will come a judgement day for all and even though they think they can fool around and do anything there will be things they will have to miss out on as well. Personally I would not want to have to go thru an Eternity like this, and am Glad I have a choice and it is up to me what I want to do with my life as well.
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
9 Jul 09
This story totally maks sense for one simple reason. Getting things you want is so much better when it's like a reward for hard work! Going on a relaxing vacation to a beautiful island is so much more enjoyable when you are anticipating it while you work for months.
Basically, I can see how it would get old to just have this stuff all the time and never have to work for it. Because after awhile, the stuff you wanted so bad will seem boring.
As for how long I could live in a paradise type lifestyle? Well I took a week vacation and it wasn't long enough :-D haha. But I think a month off staying on a remote island being waited on and having everything would be the ultimate! After one month, I'd get bored and want to get back to mylot, my computer games, and socializing with people even if it does mean going back to work and cleaning the house :)
@celticeagle (159105)
• Boise, Idaho
8 Jul 09
ya, it is all in the eyes of the beholder. If all you have is positive then all you know is__ yep. And vice versa. It really depends on our out look. I think it would be pathetic to live with all things perfect. What a pathetic life. Then we would never know true happiness. You have to know both negative and positive to have a fair outlook.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
8 Jul 09
That is a great story with an accurate moral. I think that we all have to experience the lows in order to appreciate the highs and it is when people try to avoid the bad feelings that demons are born; demons that if not tamed can eventually destroy a person.
We learn the most precious lessons through adversity.
The ups and the downs are what make life rich and without the diversity of emotions our existence would soon become unbearable.
@Carpathian (582)
• United States
14 Jul 09
I must be in heaven everyday!*SMILE* My life is far from perfect, but the funny thing is that I am so use to it being NOT perfect that when things do go great for me I worry! I always wonder when that other shoe is going to fall off. So, it I had to choose between Heaven and Hell and Perfect or Not Perfect then, I guess I would stay where I am at Heaven in my own little not perfect world. Where I hear voice but they all love me and I am the Queen but one have one follower and I am the most beautiful woman here even though I am the only woman in my world! LOL
My Little piece of Heaven is just right for me!
**Be Well & Harm None**
