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.

There’s something about this song.
Well, yes, it is Clapton…
…and it does have a good beat.
But, no matter where I am or what I’m doing,
when I hear this song,
it feels like I’m right where I’m supposed to be,
doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing.

Enjoy…
D.W.

The Core

Every morning when i wake, a feeling soon begins to overtake me.
Ringing in my ears resounds through my brain; it finally surrounds me.
There is fire, there is life, there is passion, fever and fury.
There is love and there is hate, there is longing, anger and worry.

Oh, i am a flame; feel it touch my heart.
And down at my core is the hottest part.
I can run without fear.

If it should become too cold, i know i can endure the frostbite.
Oh, a blanket then i’ll wrap around me; i keep myself so close to my sight.
No one then can cause me harm, just as the river runs into the sea.
’cause every day, a fire alarm is deafening the silence all around me.

Oh, i am a flame; feel it touch my heart.
And down at my core is the hottest part.
I can run without fear.

It is burning.
It is burning.

You can trust me; we can laugh. together we can share our sorrow.
I will give you secrets too, an attitude that you may borrow.
Gypsy woman said to me, “one thing you must bear in your mind:
You are young and you are free, but damned if you’re deceased in your own lifetime.”

Oh, you have a flame; feel it in your heart.
And down at the core is the hottest part.
We can run without fear.

It is burning.
It is burning.

Eric Clapton and Marcy Levy
Album: Slowhand