Is There A Purpose In Life, One Wonders

By Leslie Ball


Life is meant to be a journey wherein we discover not only the essence of the world we live in, but also, to a certain extent, discover ourselves. While many leave this world satisfied souls, there are several others who continue their existence in doubt, dilemma and therefore, distress. To them, the very question of is there a purpose in life, becomes problematic. For the sake of serenity, it is crucial that one finds such answers.

For some people, these questions get answered by the path of religion, science, politics or any other that they have chosen to embark. Almost imbibing a way of life via this path, many find the meaning to their existence within the teachings or methods of this path.

If one follows a religion or a spiritual guru, the belief system found on this premise can give one a certain outlook to life. If such a person ever gets lost for meaning, they search the teachings and beliefs of this religion or spiritual path and often find what they are looking for.

There are also certain others who choose to abide by the logic and reasoning of a theory that is governed by science. Advice and practices of this science may be the method they use to find purpose in their existence.

However, there are many in this world who are not fortunate enough to have a belief or system that presides over their life, and that can be the provider of their worldly queries. Many wander in angst searching answers they may or may never find through their entire lives. The real question that arises is whether these people actually find or are worthy of a purpose in life. Simply not to follow a path can certainly not disqualify a human being from living a meaningful life.

In some people this situation can even take a turn for the worst and make them give up on life itself. Having made no sense of this world, they may decide to quit it entirely. This is an extreme situation, but highly plausible too.

Living such a life is actually meaningless. In fact, finding meaning should lie in not finding a belief system, but in finding a calling, a purpose within oneself.

A case in pint could be that of an atheist and dreamer who may be a music artist or architect by profession. This person may not have found his calling via his profession, nor any chosen path to traverse life. He may, on the other hand, have found that the essence of his living lies in working toward literacy of underprivileged children. He may spend his weekends and hours after work teaching slum dwelling kids in his vicinity. That may be the purpose in his life.

Let us take yet another example of a botany student who has little professional training, yet devotes her life in research pertaining to a unique species of plant, or one that the general world of botany does not consider worth much. This person may revel in her own little findings and work. This could be the purpose of her life.

Whatever be the case, finding a purpose in life remains a task left to the individual. One could either while away the years in distress, or find in simple joys a larger calling. It entirely depends on us.




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