Purpose of Life

Have you ever wondered about our existence?
Were we brought into the world for a reason?
Are we supposed to serve a certain purpose?
What do we want out of life?
How do we want to be remembered when we are long gone?

If you have pondered upon any of the questions above, you are probably not alone. I am pretty certain most of us would have had put some thoughts to either one or more of the questions above. Some would think about it for a few minutes and park it aside without any answers whilst others on the other extreme would spend years trying to seek an answer. I’ve heard of and read of many individuals who take extreme measures in trying to seek an answer. Some resort to self meditation, some resort to a total change in lifestyle, some go berserk, some go into isolation and some just continue wondering; hoping that they would stumble upon the book of life with all the questions answered.

In recent weeks, I have been spurred to think about the questions and despite looking through a whole long list of books that would supposedly be able to shed some light on the subject, I could not find any answers. I then started openly discussing this topic with friends and after a conversation with a friend over coffee at 3am in the morning, it then dawned upon me that we actually have all the answers. No one will come along with the answers and neither will there be any book that would solve the mystery. The answers to the questions above would differ from one individual to another and no one would be able to provide a better picture if not for ourselves.

Some would belief in a higher calling; that we were created to serve the Almighty. Some belief in karma; that we are here to pay back the sins we have committed in the previous life or to reap reward from the seeds we had sown. There could be plenty more versions of how different individuals would view this from a different perspective. After some collective soul searching (as they call it), you too might have your own version of answers. I however choose to take a more individualistic approach. We have full control of our life as well as destiny. On top of that, we also have the choice on what kind of impact we can leave behind. We can be another person who was merely living a life; or we can choose to be someone who came into this world and left a significant impact by leading a meaningful, purpose-driven life. Dimitri Papokoulus who lives in a small suburb to the South of Athens might choose to be a husband, a father, a son and a loyal employee and his purpose in life would thus revolve around these choices. The likes of Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King chose to be a servant of the people ahead of other routes and their life revolved around making a contribution back to society. They belief that the reason for their being is to improve lives and to bring others out of misery.

Having said so, I have sub-consciously found my own purpose. As idealistic as it might be or as corny as it might sound, I would want to “improve the lives of the people I interact with”. It does not necessarily mean that I would start revolutions and reformation activities. Neither does it mean that I would start an underground movement or a new ideology. In my own small way, I would want to see how I can make a difference. It could be a simple act of caring for a friend by lending a listening ear. It could be a simple act of smiling to a stranger in a lift. It could be a simple act of sending a greeting card to a friend I have not been in contact with for quite a while. It could also be a simple act of saying thank you to the waiter who delivers my lunch in a crowded restaurant. Small things like this could make a world of a difference to others without us realizing it. I myself have felt good when I was on the receiving end of such simple gestures.

With this, I would constantly and consciously remind myself that my purpose in life is a simple gesture of kindness that not necessarily requires much effort. Everyone can make a difference and this would be my way. The next time we meet, let me know how I can improve your life and I’ll be more than glad if I could.

Relinquishing Dreams and Vanishing Hopes

Can you recall the times when we were kids and asked about our ambitions? Most of us would have shared without batting an eyelid that we would want to be doctors, engineers, scientists or other aspirational professions. Along with that, we would have envisioned the monetary and financial rewards that come along with it. A 10 year old would envision living in a mansion with several luxury cars and by the time he reaches the age of 20, the vision would have been downgraded to probably a semi-detached house and a luxury car. Fast forward another 10 years and the same individual would probably have realigned his or her expectations to owning a terrace house and rationalize that a national car is not that bad after all.

The underlying question is what causes the change in dreams and hopes? How can the same individual be contented to downgrade their own dreams and hopes as time passes by? Is it collective wisdom acquired over the years leading the person to be more realistic or is the individual simply giving up on his or her dreams? The answer could sway either way depending on how the individual would want to view it. Most would argue that the dreams they had earlier were unrealistic and they were too naive back when they had set the goals. Very few would actually acknowledge the fact that they had chose to give up on themselves along the way.

I know of many people who wanted to earn their first million by the time they are in their mid-20s. Sadly so, very few made it. The only person I know of who made it actually earned his first million by the time he was 21 - 4 years ahead of his initial goal. As I tried to ask myself why is it that this one person turned out so much better than his goal whilst others failed so miserably, I attribute this to the fact that many very quickly relinquish their dreams as they find that the journey is not as smooth sailing as they had hoped for and along the way, all the initial hopes that they had vanished into thin air. The ones who actually do make it are probably the hard headed, stubborn individuals who never gave up despite having multiple hard knocks. They are the ones who ruthlessly drive towards their goals and knew no shame. All they had in mind was the vision and as one plan failed, they would continuously seek alternative options that would bring them towards their goals.

I have utmost respect for the individuals who made it as they have demonstrated that nothing can get in the way if one is determined enough to drive towards their goals. This is the power of dreams! This is what differentiates the “wannabes” and the real “go-getters”. Everyone would have their own dreams and hopes and along with that, all individuals are gifted with the power to decide if they could achieve that. This is what many fail to realize and as a majority start coming up with excuses as to why the dreams are not possible, the ones who are conscious about the fact that their own destiny is in their hands are the ones who would eventually emerge as victors. Prior to blaming failure to other factors in time to come, it would be best to remind ourselves that we had the power to decide and it was us who relinquished our own dreams and let our hopes vanish.