What Is The Purpose of your Life?

Question

Serious question. Why laugh about it? Why not take off the to-cool-to-care mask for a few minutes? Answer that question and you'll find out some extremely important things about yourself. Really…

It's amazing how much corporate and educational America teaches that "we must have a goal and a purpose" for whatever they are about. Every where you look there are mission statements and goal statements and objective statements, etc. With all that focus on a purpose, isn't it amazing that it never really gets down to the individual and his/her life? Oh yes, an individual person can have short term and long term goals for careers or family or education or finances or hobbies or exercise, etc. Perhaps you have some for yourself regarding these things. But the question remains, WHAT ABOUT YOUR ENTIRE LIFE - WHAT IS THE ULTIMATE PURPOSE TO THAT??? Are you going to take, trophies or bank accounts or homes or cars or careers or family members or pleasure or "fun" times, with you after you die? What will your life mean after you die?

Answer 1

I love that you noted how corporate America and the education system teach us that everything must have a goal, purpose, or vision. I'm a teacher, and it's so true. We are all looking to serve the "greater good" of society, the school community, the company, etc. etc. etc., but it's true that no one ever takes the step to their own lives apart from the community or organization of which they're a part. Isn't there something universal - beyond society and culture, beyond religion, beyond all the things that separate and divide us into manageable subcategories?

I think it's easy for schools and companies to ignore this aspect, because it tends toward the religious/spiritual, and we are so trained to keep these things out of the public sector. If we really want to be good people, though, we each individually have to address the issue. Certainly, you could ask 100 people this question and get 100 different anwers.

For me, I think my "purpose" is not tied to any particular society, culture, group, organization, etc. I want to do right by the people I love, make a positive impact on those around me (especially my students...teaching them to be creative, independent, and free thinkers), and leave something good behind.

The most heart-wrenching thing I ever saw was when the AIDS quilt was displayed at my university. One of the patches, sewn by a family member of someone who died, simply stated "Your life made a difference." It makes me cry every time I think about it, and I try to keep that in mind every day of my life.

Answer 2

This is no surprise to those that know me I am far from being to-cool-to-care I am a 54 year old Grandpa of 8. Other than the joy they add to my life I see my purpose here is to love and to be loved. To often being loved is difficult for men to do. It does actually take some work in humility to learn how to except being loved. For those of you who think love=sex that isn't want I am talking about. Having someone else looking out for whats best for you caring about your health, safety and happiness REALLY caring not just hopping you have those things but really caring. Then returning that in to others. That is what makes life worth while... Jim

Answer 3

I think basically that our life purpose should be to be kind to one another, help each other where needed and try to make this world a better place for everyone. Education, hobbies and finance can help as additional advantages to achieve the goals I just mentioned. Greed should be something that should never be considered.

Answer 4

The purpose of life has been a philosophical question throughout the centuries of man's existence on earth. Greater minds than those here have not found the answer. Perhaps there is a great mind here that can answer for all of us?

Answer 5

Common, but loaded question. Purpose implies a "personal" intent. Other than your own self, where does the purpose come from? Within yourself, you have many purposes which you have chosen, and few of them are as long-term as your life. To assume a person has a lifetime purpose is a mistake.

Answer 6

The purpose of my life is to LIVE it. I have found more peace in that one sentance than in any other. It's very freeing. When you shrug off the expectations of others and live your life for you, which some will say is selfish but you'll find that you will want to do for others because it makes you feel good instead of doing things because you are expected to. Expectations are heavy and many in number. Why carry that around all your life?

Answer 7

My purpose has been, for my entire life, even as a child, to just experience life to the fullest. And to help others along the way. But ultimately, to evolve myself and learn. When my life is over I will have learned something important.

Answer 8

The purpose of my life is to make myself available for God to make me more into the image of His son, which His word says is what he wants to do. Then, my purpose is to live for Him, and to interact with people how He would have me. The bible asks, what does God ask of us? To do justly and to love mercy. It is my purpose to demonstrate who Jesus is by action, speaking, whatever God wills.

Not that I am always a very good representative. I need alot of work, but thank God He is both patient and forgiving!

Answer 9

My soul purpose in life is to share the gospel to others, to love all I meet, to not be a judgmental person, to love God with all my heart & soul.
I pray when I die they will say
She loved the Lord & shared her faith with all thoes she came in contact with. Weather it was in word or deed, she strived to be more like Christ, she never made excuses for her short commings, just tried to do better, and we thank her for sharing Christ with us.

Answer 10

I don't believe in any "ultimate purposes" or "big questions." My life's purpose is the one I give it, in being a loving father and husband, a good friend, and a productive member of society.