Your purpose in life...

[azskyman]

Is there ever really a day when you don't at least ever-so-briefly ask yourself why you are here. What is this all about? Is this all there is to life?

What is my purpose?

To print newspapers? To fight fires? To raise kids? To push papers around? To sell insurance?

While I (we) struggle with that big question, life's value is best found in how yours positively interacts with others. The path that you follow...your career or avocation...is the conduit that introduces you to others along the way. What you do with those you meet along the way, your employees, your family, the checkout girl at the grocery, the plumber who fixed your leaky pipes, or the child who you picked up from school...that is what gives value and meaning to your life.

And it is out of those experiences that your purpose begins to get defined.

Anyone have a different take? Deep subject, yes? Easy answers, no?

[firefighter16]

There are two angels I looked at this subject from. One a Firefighter and two, the most inportant, a Father. As a Firefighter I serve man but as a Father I serve God and My Family. They are both jobs I truely love but there is nothing more important, to me, than God and Family. So I guess my true purpose would be defined as serving my family and fellow man by the grace of God.

[Miss Mary]

Steve - wow a powerful, deep and thought provoking topic. I remember asking questions like this as a child and somewhere along the line I heard or was told this: if we question the how and why we are here, so intently, it will just drive us crazy. It's almost too much for the human brain to comprehend. Or understand. And then I was advised to just accept that we are here but to also live each day to its fullest and with moral choices. And so when disturbing news hits, and it often does these days, my daughters and I will discuss the stories. September 11th, Iraq, babies dying in hot vehicles, kidnappings, it's all almost too much for us to bear. And so upsetting. I tell my girls that they should try their best to be good and caring indivuduals, to live up to their potential, treat others as they would like to be treated. Also at the end of each day, think back on that day. If you said an unkind word to someone or was rude, correct it the next day. Sincerely apologize and try never to do it again. It all starts at home I believe, in each of us. To make this world better and to understand why we are even here, we need to do the right things first with us. Hope all of that makes sense!

Again, deep subject material. Will be interesting the responses you receive.

[JetMaxx]

Steve, I'm honestly not sure...at least not yet.
Maybe it's simply being the guy with a kind word to make others feel better.

I've never cared much for wealth or fame; but only want to be remembered at my funeral as a nice guy...someone who tried to make the world a better place, and all those he came in contact with feel better about themselves.

Sincerely,
Perry

[azskyman]

Perry,

You put a whole lot of the puzzle together in less than 50 words.

I've never cared much for wealth or fame; but only want to be remembered at my funeral as a nice guy...someone who tried to make the world a better place, and all those he came in contact with feel better about themselves.

If we could all follow that example, our purpose would open up for us to see.

There was a small child in Vietnam who lived across the street from the principal of the school where I spent some time teaching. I came to know her as "Tam"(pronounced Tom).

Tam would always be watching for me on the days I visited the principal's home (I was helping him learn more about Americans and our language). And before long, I would watch for her. I had nothing to give her but a smile. She had nothing more to give me than to be standing outside her home when our jeep came around the corner...waiting for me.

But in the midst of a war-torn country, her smile and that face were wonderfully therapy. I remember her still. She would be perhaps 40 these days...and I often hope her life was better for us having shared those smiles. I know mine was.

One of my prized possessions is a photo of Tam and me...me holding her on that last day of lessons. We drove away as she stood in the street...and never went back.

If we can achieve that which you have written...we will have achieved very very much. And our purpose will be defined by those who carry on their lives with a little bit of us in their pocket.

[azsnowman]

I too, like many of you, have struggled with this question over the years.......by rights, I shouldn't be here due to a car accident 23 years ago but as Bill has said many times, God ain't finished with me just yet.

I truly believe that my main purpose in life at this point in time is to share the news, the "Good News" with others, how? By the work we do with the dogs........by doing search and rescue work, we are showing the work that the Father has done that so few ppl understand. When ever we train, that's every other day, we come across so many people, they stop and ask what we are doing, we show them and they exclaim, "we had no idea that a dog is capable of this kind of scent discrimination" We simply reply, "Isnt God amazing?" One thing leads to another, before you know it, we've lead another soul to Christ.

Dennis

[Stephanie]

Ask my pets...to feed them, change their litter boxes, take them for walks, to love them...

Er, to teach j that it's okay to be liberal... You okay j?

Seriously, I haven't the faintest clue myself. It wasn't meant for me to come onto this earth to be a wife and mommy, I pretty much define myself like alot of other career-minded professionals by my profession and my successes and failures I've experienced.

I think that an experience like the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" would help me really see what I've actually contributed to this life. I don't feel like I'm taking up space, but I honestly don't know what "purpose" I have served.

[WidreMann]

Purpose? To add something to humanity, even if it's just a little bit, because every bit counts. Maybe I will never know what the real purpose of life is, and I'm pretty close to accepting that. Nevertheless, it wouldn't make sense just to not bother at all - I can't go wrong trying to contribute to humanity.

[streetsoldier]

I'm content to wait until I am in the Presence of Him Who is the Author of Truth, so that I will then know how my "insignificant" stone fits into His Grand Design.

Until that happy time....I can wait.

[Lindaloo]

I was also given a second chance by the Grace of God from a bad car accident. I made a promise to change then and I have kept it. I was spared for a reason. I can honestly say I am no longer that "spoiled brat" anymore.

[Pburgh]

Well I truly believe that God has given us all "special gifts". When we discover these gifts and how we use them is up to us and that is our purpose. Being a parent is a gift from God, but if you notice, not all parents are good parents. Being an Aunt or Uncle is a gift from God, but not everyone realizes the gift. Being a co-worker, a friend, a neighbor - these are all gifts. How we choose to thank God for these gifts is up to us.

I think my purpose in life is to enjoy these gifts to the fullest and give back to God by being kind, generous, sensitive, loving and caring with all of those I encounter. Now I don't always do this (maybe that's why I've lived this long). My Dad used to say "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right!" I figure at the rate I'm going, I'll probably live to be 100!!!!!!lol

Each of us are blessed and will indeed find our purpose at one point in our lives.

[streetsoldier]

A note to all here...

One never has a true understanding of what purpose they have, but it can come in the smallest ways. Each action, however insignificant, has a "ripple effect"; your act of courtesy, kindness, courage, concern, etc. will influence many people who, in this lifetime you will never meet.

That time taken out to comfort a friend, co-worker, whoever, can and does influence his or her actions and reactions to others, and they to still others...conversely, inaction on one's part plays a potentially detrimental role, too. Think about this.

You DO matter...nothing is "trivial". If I learned nothing else from Shelley, it is this little "jewel" that I impart to you all, my friends. Safeguard it, and make use of it as oft as you can.

[Stephanie]

A note to all here...

One never has a true understanding of what purpose they have, but it can come in the smallest ways. Each action, however insignificant, has a "ripple effect"; your act of courtesy, kindness, courage, concern, etc. will influence many people who, in this lifetime you will never meet.

That time taken out to comfort a friend, co-worker, whoever, can and does influence his or her actions and reactions to others, and they to still others...conversely, inaction on one's part plays a potentially detrimental role, too. Think about this.

You DO matter...nothing is "trivial". If I learned nothing else from Shelley, it is this little "jewel" that I impart to you all, my friends. Safeguard it, and make use of it as oft as you can.

Well said Bill and Karan! Linda - I'm glad that you were given that second chance!

[FreakyWxChick]

Your presence is a gift to the world,
You're unique and one of a kind.
Your life can be what you want it to be -
Take it one day at a time.

Count your blessings, not your troubles,
And you'll make it through what comes along.
Within you are so many answers,
Understand, have courage, be strong.

Don't put limits on yourself,
Your dreams are waiting to be realized.
Don't leave your important decisions to chance -
Reach for your peak, your goal, and your prize.

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying -
The longer a problem is carried, the heavier it gets.
Don't take things too seriously -
Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

Remember that a little love goes a long way -
Remember that a lot goes forever.
Remember that friendship is a wise investment,
Life's treasures are people... together.

Have health and hope and happiness,
Take the time to wish on a star.
And don't ever forget for even a day...
How very special YOU are!

[Stephanie]

Very nice Freaky!!!!

[Lindaloo]

Thanks Steph!! I am also thankful that Dennis was given that second chance. What we chose to do with it is priceless. I know I will never go back the other way. Afterall, a promise to the Almighty is a promise you always keep!!!