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.
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.
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