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What is our purpose? Really, why are we here, living out these lives, facing each day? Are we here just to wake up, work, make money, and do it all over again? Or is there something deeper, something that we’re all meant to discover?When we think about it, the idea of purpose can be confusing, even intimidating. People talk about “finding their purpose” as if it’s something out there, waiting to be stumbled upon, a destination that will make everything in life click into place. Maybe purpose isn’t something we “find on the road.” Maybe it’s something we create by ourselves, something that emerges as we go through life. The comfort of the quest We often fall into the idea that purpose is wrapped up in success, that it’s about getting somewhere. Make enough money, buy a house, start a family, build a career—that’s the path, right? These goals can give us direction, sure. The truth is, success and status are good in some ways, but they don’t touch the soul. We know this because we see people who seem to “have it all” and yet are still searching. They’ve achieved everything on paper but are left with that same nagging question. So maybe purpose isn’t something we can measure or achieve. Maybe it’s something more elusive.
Beyond the Checklist If purpose isn’t about achieving or getting somewhere, what is it? Some people say purpose is found in what we give to others—the way we love, help, or connect. Let us think about some people who dedicate their lives to teaching or create art that speaks to people. They’re doing something that feels bigger than just their own life. Maybe it’s about being fully present, genuinely connecting with others, or finding beauty in the ordinary. Maybe purpose is not about what we do, but it's about how we do it. how much love, kindness, and honesty we put into the moments that make up our lives. Or... Is purpose just something we made up? What if purpose isn’t real? What if it’s something we make up to make sense of things, a story we tell ourselves to feel better? Maybe life doesn’t come with built-in meaning. Maybe it’s just random, and purpose is a comfort we cling to so we can avoid the emptiness of “just existing.”But even if purpose is a human invention, does that make it any less powerful? We made up music, art, language, and beauty—and they’re all incredibly real to us. Maybe purpose is like that. It’s something we create because it gives us something to hold onto, something that makes life feel rich and full.
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Maybe purpose isn’t fixed. It’s easy to think of purpose as a single, unchanging truth, a final answer we’re supposed to find. But what if purpose isn’t fixed? What if it’s something that grows and changes as we do? Maybe purpose is fluid, shifting as we go through different phases of life and as we learn and grow. A parent might find purpose in raising their child. Artists might find their purpose in creating different content. All these things don’t last forever, but they bring a kind of joy and meaning. Maybe purpose isn’t about finding one final answer. It’s about going with what feels right for us, moment by moment. Purpose in the Little Things. Maybe purpose isn’t about big gestures or some ultimate truth. Maybe it lives in the small, everyday things—quiet mornings, laughter with friends, the satisfaction of a good meal. These moments might seem simple, but they’re real. They remind us that purpose doesn’t have to be complicated. In the end, maybe our purpose is simply to live with curiosity, to keep asking questions, to connect with others, and to find meaning in our own way. It’s not a destination but a journey, a chance to create a life that feels true to who we are. Maybe purpose is exactly that—a life lived with openness and intention, a willingness to be present and let our purpose unfold, one small moment at a time.