What is your purpose in life?

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This topic has 11 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 8 months ago by Prash.

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July 22, 2018 at 6:41 pm #218165

Prash
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What is my purpose? For many years now I have been searching for an answer to some of the questions related to my purpose. I have been vexed by the idea that life has an ending. We come here without our knowledge and we go from here just like that. So why are we here. I see different people; I read about many others. I wonder if the same questions occur to them. Do they also think like me about life?

The idea somehow set in that you have to do something special in order to understand what your special purpose is. Except that I could never decide what that special thing is. Of late and probably in a flash, realization has set in that I don’t need to do anything special. Life itself is special.

I don’t tell my heart to beat the way it does. It just happens. Similarly every aspect of my life just happens. Accepting things the way they are and truly appreciating the magic of life has helped me navigate through life. I now understand that I am here now to experience the richness of life. Everything that happens in my life – my joys, my sorrows, my emotions, my feelings, my thoughts, the people in my life – they all add to the flavor of it.

I just have to sit back and relish it.

July 23, 2018 at 10:03 am #218283

Anonymous
Guest

Dear Prash:

My purpose of life is what you expressed, to experience life. My purpose for living is no different than any living thing, from an amoeba’s to a plant to other animals, and that is, to live, to experience the life that is available to me.

The part of us that thinks we are gods and have to do that something special in order to be remembered for eternity, that living eternally concept, that is a thought, an imagining. In reality, we are mortal, no different from any other living thing on the face of this planet.

I like your topic and share and hope others will respond as well.

anita

July 23, 2018 at 10:18 am #218291

Prash
Participant

Hi Anita

Thank you for your response.

July 23, 2018 at 12:08 pm #218341

Anonymous
Guest

You are welcome, Prash. I am still hoping to read other members’ replies to your thread. (I appreciate your replies to others!)

anita

July 24, 2018 at 12:45 pm #218569

Peter
Participant

Essentially as you implied the answer to such questions is always “you”.

You are the answer to the question of Purpose. As such every experience is Purpose and Meaning, even the experience of questioning and seeking purpose.

“We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” – T. S. Eliot We seek for purpose and meaning out there somewhere, over the rainbow… never noticing that we are it… until we do

July 24, 2018 at 1:07 pm #218573

Mark
Participant

When we discover ourselves, our purpose reveals itself naturally.

Why You Can Stop Searching for Your Purpose Now

Hero’s journey:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/why-we-need-heroes/201406/what-is-your-purpose-in-life

July 24, 2018 at 1:15 pm #218577

Prash
Participant

Thank you, Mark and Peter. 🙂

I have read some of your posts and learnt from them. Grateful for that. 🙂

August 3, 2018 at 3:35 am #220137

Anonymous
Inactive

Hi,

I struggled with the same question for years… I am still trying to understand my purpose, but I know the only thing that makes me happy is connecting with others, experiencing nature, exploring new things. However, this does not bring me purpose unless I assume happiness is my purpose.

I have heard that helping others/leaving behind a legacy through the creation and manifestation of one’s ‘gift’, gives life meaning. But I have no such gift… I am a regular girl with a regular life – I have nothing special to share.

Maybe you have something Prash that makes you you…. share it with others and it might give you the peace in your heart you are looking for.

Best wishes,

Afrin

August 3, 2018 at 5:07 am #220157
Jason
Participant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=841Ofq0Rxoo A poor man once complained about being poor to the Buddha and this was his response. It’s a very short video but eye opening :). Count your blessings
- This reply was modified 6 years, 8 months ago by Jason.
August 3, 2018 at 8:14 pm #220241

Prash
Participant

Dear Azu,

Thank you so much for your response. I can relate to what you have written. I have also thought that I should look for a gift within myself but lately in place of searching for my gift or purpose, I have been mindful and dedicating myself in whatever I am doing and embracing and accepting all of life and its events seems to be what I am looking for.

August 3, 2018 at 10:09 pm #220251

Azalia
Participant

Hi,

This is something I’ve been struggling with lately. Like others have said I feel like I should have a gift, but so far I have found none. I look at the people around me and everyone seems to be good at something or even many different things. But I feel I’m average at everything. I’m still very young so I cannot say for sure, but I have asked older people and some have said it took many years for them to find a gift or purpose.

From what I’ve gathered most people’s purpose is something that makes them happy so I guess even something that is not necessarily considered a gift such as enjoying nature, could be a purpose.

A lot of us think purpose equals being productive : I am good at math – I will be an engineer and build things.

If you think about it anything can be productive, even just enjoying connecting with others, you will be someone’s friend therefore helping them feel happiness through friendship.

Embracing everything you do is a good way to live and I will be taking that advice.

August 5, 2018 at 1:17 am #220361

Prash
Participant

Dear Azalia,

Thank you for your response. Looking for a purpose while still very young is great. 🙂 At your age I never did any reflection on what I wanted or why I was doing things. Admire you for your thoughtfulness and insight.

Best wishes

Take care
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