How do you find your own purpose in life?
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Try new things until you find something you really enjoy, then keep at it until you are awesome at that particular thing. It's suggested that it takes 1,000 hours to become great at something. If you can find a way to do that thing for a living, bonus. If not, then do what you've got to do as a day job to support being able to do the thing you are passionate about in your spare time.0
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Serve others while respecting yourself. The rest will come, grasshopper
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I can see this from two different perspectives. I was once heavily involved in the evangelical christian movement, as was my family. I broke away from the church when I was in my early 20s...I didn't really believe...I wanted to believe (mostly for insurance)...but I didn't really believe and felt like an even worse individual being a hypocrite than simply breaking ties with my religion.
This did leave me lost for sometime because my religion taught purpose...it taught that I (we) were special beings and that God had a plan and specific purpose for my life. I'm sure this is much of what you are going through now.
Really, there's no easy find here...for me, it came down to an understanding that to presume a higher purpose, one must presume that they are special...I find it hard to believe that every single person on the planet is "special"
To that end, I've found purpose within myself and circumstance. Right now, I'm a father of two boys and a husband...my purpose is to be good at those things and provide as best I can for my family...nothing more, nothing less.
I do not believe that there is a singular purpose or higher calling...I believe that ultimately people find (or don't) purpose within themselves...and that purpose can also evolve...I do not believe in a fixed purpose.0 -
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not a bad idea at all... out the door but if this pans out..feel free to contact me. Last place I'd feel free to discuss this in any fashion is chit chat... or any open place on MFP... so yea perhaps a group?totaldetermination wrote: »
Hearts
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TiberiusClaudis wrote: »I think Manslow had it about right...self actualization...strive to become more than you thought you could, be more of what you are. So few of us ever come close to hitting our full potential. Imagine if you did..or even hit 90%.
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laurasuzie3 wrote: »Hello, this is rather a serious subject but something I've been thinking a lot about and would like to hear advice/opinions from other people.
Everyone always asks "What is the purpose of life?". Do you believe we all have a purpose? Do you think our purpose is something given to us by a higher power that we must discover or something we create on our own? Do you feel you've found your purpose? If so, how did you?
A little bit of background, I grew up in a VERY religious household (Mormonism). I recently stopped attending church for a multitude of reasons and now I am not sure what I believe or what kind of life I want. I'd like to hear from a diverse group of people, atheists, devout religious people, and everyone in between are welcome to share their opinions and advice.
PLEASE, however, be respectful and don't turn this into a religious debate. Don't bash people's beliefs, or lack thereof. Thank you
I don't believe we all have a purpose in the way most people think. I think that some people long to live a purpose-driven life and that some don't. The choices we make determine whether we have a purpose or not. I tell people to find something you're good at that makes you happy, and do it. That's something different for everybody.
As far as my purpose, I don't think I can say it's just any one thing. It changes day in and day out.0 -
TiberiusClaudis wrote: »I think Manslow had it about right...self actualization...strive to become more than you thought you could, be more of what you are. So few of us ever come close to hitting our full potential. Imagine if you did..or even hit 90%.
You would be a Tiger Woods in your world.
^^
Totally agree.
I don't know as you need to think, "I need to have a purpose" as much as just live your life and be happy with what you are doing. Do what you need to do to make your own life fullfiling and then things end up being your purpose for life. I don't think anyone can tell us our purpose, we have to create it.0 -
Didn't read the thread carefully, but here's my take on it:
The purpose of life is to search for the purpose of life.0 -
I tend to stay away from discussing religion, as it's a touchy subject for many people.
I honestly couldn't say I've found my purpose in life. However, I like to think that the path to finding your purpose is just as important as the purpose itself. For now, I'm okay with wandering. I'm just trying to better myself based on my own moral compass as I go, it's the best I can do at the moment.
I'm finding that my moral compass may be wildly different from others, and that's okay with me. We all have strong opinions and beliefs, and as such complex and original beings, how can we expect to have the exact same ideals of this world? As long as someone's belief/opinion does not cause harm or infringe upon the nature and happiness of other beings, I see no problem:-)0 -
At 30 years old, I felt really out of place among friends because they all have college degrees. so I got a job in the medical field as a receptions and records clerk, hated every minute of it. Started going to college thought ok ill go into teaching and now i am lost because baking and pastry arts is my passion but teaching is practical for maintain employment and health insurance. Finding where you belong is a life long process one that doesnt end but dont stick yourself into someone else's box is the advice I was given.
So I am being practical and going into teaching because I love little children. I hope I can become a good influence in someone's life. the way I had many in mine.0 -
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i don't know if i have a purpose in life, i just try to be a good person0
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Maslow's modern hierarchy.
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I personally think life has no inherent "purpose", only that which the individual assigns to it. Otherwise, each subjective view would be wrong to a thousand other views. Even if you agree on a general purpose, eg "serving others", there can be literally a million interpretations of how to accomplish that and different degrees of "rightness" within each.
Bottom line: If it's important to you, then it's important.
As for finding a passion in life...try LOTS of things and expect that to live a passionate life long term, you will have to reinvent many, many times.0 -
Im up for a discussion group on this... I suspect my input would be significantly different to some others on here
No one belief system is right for all in the the same way that none is truely 'wrong'. People have free will and that includes the choice of what to believe in.
Sometimes losing your way can be the best thing to happen to you, just remain true to yourself and you will find your own path.
As long as it does no harm 0 -
To me, I think I'll find my true purpose when I achieve perfect balance. However, this is quite the paradox because I don't think it's really ever possible to be totally balanced in every aspect of your life! Besides, as humans, we change and grow constantly. I think that as long as I am progressing and learning and continually striving to be a good person (to others and myself), then I will develop more as a person and understand how I fit in this world, how I work, and what I want to contribute, which to me sounds like a purpose.0
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choice..
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Keep doing things until you find a passion for it0
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I'm an atheist, but extremely respectful of others and their belief systems. Part of me envies believers.
I think our purpose is to pave our way through life. Settle down. Find a hobby. Travel. Experience transcendence in our own ways. Realize we are not alone or special in circumstance. Spread joy, a message of love, acceptance, tolerance and peace wherever and whenever possible. Our "mark" on the world can be big and outstretched over oceans, or even just tiny enough to be recognized by just one person; it's an impact all its own. I think it's enough for me.0 -
Here is a link to a 3:39 min. video on Why Study the Bible - Learn how the bible can help you to find the answer to life's big questions, i.e. what is our purpose in life. http://www.jw.org/en/video-why-study-the-bible/
I hope you are able to check it out.0 -
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I'm an atheist, but extremely respectful of others and their belief systems.
I try to be respectful of others, but I'm finding it more and more difficult to respect belief systems that I see as harmful and dangerous.
I don't think there is a purpose in life, but I count myself as very fortunate to have the freedom and opportunities to chose my own purpose in life.
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As a lifelong atheist, I don't believe that humans are born with any specific overarching purpose. I do believe, however, that most people want to be a force for good in the world, and that one's talents and values will determine where and how (and how much) they will make a difference.
At the end of the day, it's everyone's right to choose their path according to their own beliefs. I do feel like my life has meaning and purpose, but it's something we create, rather than "find", in the strictest sense. I think when people find their "calling", it's a case of finding the path that reflects their values most, and uses their abilities in the most effective way. I also think that it can change throughout one's life.
I know that some religious people find the idea of not being born with a purpose to be depressing or hollow, but I think it's actually really uplifting because it means that people do good because they genuinely choose to do good, not because they are "supposed" to.
My opinion - decide what is important to you, figure out how you can help, and just get started. Even if you switch directions later, you'll have done a lot more good by picking something and doing it, as opposed to waiting for divine inspiration to strike.0 -
In my opinion my "purpose" keeps changing (I' older than alot of you, and have seen these changes in my life). I therefore think my main purpose is to make a difference (hopefully positive) in someone else's life. This is what I try to do. 0
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MakePeasNotWar wrote: »As a lifelong atheist, I don't believe that humans are born with any specific overarching purpose. I do believe, however, that most people want to be a force for good in the world, and that one's talents and values will determine where and how (and how much) they will make a difference.
At the end of the day, it's everyone's right to choose their path according to their own beliefs. I do feel like my life has meaning and purpose, but it's something we create, rather than "find", in the strictest sense. I think when people find their "calling", it's a case of finding the path that reflects their values most, and uses their abilities in the most effective way. I also think that it can change throughout one's life.
I know that some religious people find the idea of not being born with a purpose to be depressing or hollow, but I think it's actually really uplifting because it means that people do good because they genuinely choose to do good, not because they are "supposed" to.
My opinion - decide what is important to you, figure out how you can help, and just get started. Even if you switch directions later, you'll have done a lot more good by picking something and doing it, as opposed to waiting for divine inspiration to strike.
Yes to this!!!0 -
Here's mine:
And I'm OK with that. I like to be helpful.
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MakePeasNotWar wrote: »As a lifelong atheist, I don't believe that humans are born with any specific overarching purpose. I do believe, however, that most people want to be a force for good in the world, and that one's talents and values will determine where and how (and how much) they will make a difference.
At the end of the day, it's everyone's right to choose their path according to their own beliefs. I do feel like my life has meaning and purpose, but it's something we create, rather than "find", in the strictest sense. I think when people find their "calling", it's a case of finding the path that reflects their values most, and uses their abilities in the most effective way. I also think that it can change throughout one's life.
I know that some religious people find the idea of not being born with a purpose to be depressing or hollow, but I think it's actually really uplifting because it means that people do good because they genuinely choose to do good, not because they are "supposed" to.
My opinion - decide what is important to you, figure out how you can help, and just get started. Even if you switch directions later, you'll have done a lot more good by picking something and doing it, as opposed to waiting for divine inspiration to strike.
I, too, am an atheist and feel this same way. It's hard leaving religion primarily because you realize there is no real purpose to life. It didn't take much for me to leave religion because I thought most of it was fake, even as a child. I even remember thinking in Sunday school one time, "a talking snake? Really? Give me a break." I've always been a bit skeptical. But I found comfort in believing in god, even though I didn't believe the bible or anything it had to say. And once I finally lost even the belief in god, i felt lost, lied to, and a little down about it. That didn't last too long, though, but it was a hard adjustment. Now I'm happier for it because I know there's nothing else. It's me, us, now, and that's it.0 -
I found purpose when I found my wife and she gave me 3 daughters. Until I met her, I was drifting.
"Life is what happens while you are making plans."0
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