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.
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2 Responses to “Why Am I Here?”
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David,
I loved this blog. I am grateful to know you and have you part of my life and experience.
Victoria
I think that’s it. Our purpose here is merely to live. I personally feel that we
are not created in the image of god, but as the physical embodiment of god,
therefore, the purpose of our life is to live life to its fullest and really
experience what life has to offer.