Why Am I Here?

I ask this question a lot. When I was younger I asked it even more often.

Sometimes I focused on a narrow perspective of the question like what career should I pursue, or what can I teach my kids that would be profound and meaningful. More frequently, I focused on the spiritual side of the question. Why was I born? Did my soul exist before birth? Did I choose this life? Have I lived many previous lives? What did I intend to learn this time?

Why am I here?

When I was younger I thought my primary purpose was to “be perfect” which, in my mind, had been defined as “commit no sin.” It was a narrow definition and was shaped primarily by the things I heard in church and in parochial school. When I was twenty-three I walked away from my religious beliefs, but the question persisted.

Why am I here?

In my forties, I struck up a conversation with a neighborhood pastor, and made a point of asking him how he knew that he was meant to be a minister. In that conversation, my intent was to discover which career I was intended to pursue. But he had a different idea and invited me to join him and some other folks who were studying Rick Warren’s book A Purpose Driven Life. It’s a decent book, but the study group was focused on things different from my interests. So after respectfully completing my time with that study group, I went back to the continued search for MY purpose, continuing to ask,

Why am I here?

I expected a grandiose answer. I mean, I have much to offer. I’m intelligent. I contribute to the success of our society. I work hard. I have a pleasant demeanor and a good sense of humor. I thought I was Something Special, so I expected a BIG ANSWER.

Now, however, I am beginning to think the answer is rather simple. I create a full relationship with my wife. I have good parenting skills. I generate good relationships with my sons, my family and friends. I spread cheer and joy to people I meet. I provide valuable service to my employer. I read. I ask questions. I find answers. I live a full life.

And so it seems that my soul’s purpose is this: Use this body and this mind to do exactly the things I am doing right now.

Simple as that.