“A noble purpose inspires sacrifice, stimulates innovation and encourages perseverance.” Gary Hamel
Oh, how much time I have consumed pondering the purpose of my life! It seems I am not the only one given the, probably, multi-thousands of books written on the subject.
These days I have reconsidered my efforts, wondering if it is even a valuable use of time to attempt to understand my purpose in life? For a time I’ve tried to ignore the subject and just live each day as it comes… but eventually I’ve concluded that it is not possible for me to live without purpose. I find that some kind of admixture of DNA, experience and destiny drive my actions.
You Are Unique, Just Like Everyone Else
As surely as we are each entirely unique and yet entirely similar in our humanness, we are created with both unique and similar purposes. I once saw a billboard that read, “You are unique! Just like everyone else!” So it is most reasonable to assume that we are inhabited by two kinds of purposes: One unique and another that may be true for all humans.
You are unique and in your uniqueness you are endowed with special talents and personal experiences that synchronize to define your own purpose. Answer the questions: (1) What do you do really well that you also love to do? (2) Which of your talents serve the common good? Your answers to these two questions will take you far along the road to understanding your personal purpose.
The more you exert your efforts to fulfilling your personal purpose the more reasonable it is to expect that you are living a satisfactory and fulfilling life.
A Universal Human Purpose in Life
But today I would also like to focus a bit the universal purpose for all humankind. I believe there are certainly many differing responses from a multitude of highly intelligent and experienced people regarding the purpose of life. And I’d likely endorse many or even most of these conclusions. After all, the purpose of life is not simple… or is it?
Is it possible there exists some sort of universal standard that applies to all people? I think there is. Although the purpose I am about to suggest is not exhaustive, it is most definitely true. I found it in the Bible and I found that few things I have read resonate more deeply with my soul.
It is a little statement found in the little Book of Micah. It reads roughly like this… “He has told you what is good and what the Lord requires of you: to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Imagine our world if we diligently applied these three requisites to our purpose in life: justice, kindness and humility. They work together so well. With a humble heart, and with kindness, I accept responsibility to see that justice is provided for all. As I have stated several times, I am always motivated by Aristotle who said the purpose of all humans is to contribute to the value of society.
How better to do so with justice, kindness, and humility?
The Purpose of Life:
Justice, Kindness, and Humility
Photo courtesy of oonyachoat at istockphoto
