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A Lofty Question



I believe life is meant to have a purpose. Our job is to find our purpose and fulfill it to the best of our abilities. 

If my purpose on this Earth was nothing more than to save a couple dozen animals from death, then I feel it was a life well spent. Not all of us can change the tide of human history, but we can change the tide of one soul.

Greg feels that we aren't born with a purpose but rather we should be useful (and the best) in whatever kind of situation Fate throws at us. To him, the test lies in how we face challenges, demons, and the consequences of our actions.

I think both viewpoints ring true depending on your personality. 

 How about you?

 Does life need a purpose? Is it enough just to live a good life? And here's a tricky question. What is a 'good' life?


Sometimes it seems all we see are the loud mouths and the crazies, rocket fuel for higher ratings and clickability. Beneath all the noise there are still decent people out there trying to do the best they can.


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Comments

Anne Gallagher said…
Lofty question indeed. I think you're both right. I think my purpose was to do the best I can with what I have and try to be the best person I can be, not only for myself but others as well. As for a 'good' life -- bills are paid, enough food on the table, a roof over my head, and a car that runs. Bonus if I can see the ocean every couple of years.
July 27, 2015 at 7:08 AM
Madeline Mora-Summonte said…
I'm just trying to be the best ME I can be, and I'm learning that what that looks like, what that means, changes and evolves as I change and evolve. :)
July 27, 2015 at 7:11 AM
Maria Zannini said…
Anne: I like your recipe for a good life. As long as we have enough to keep body and soul together...and a good view once in a while. :)
July 27, 2015 at 7:25 AM
Maria Zannini said…
Madeleine: With so many facades and persona on social media, it's nice to find a person who just wants to be herself. Brava!
July 27, 2015 at 7:30 AM
Stacy McKitrick said…
I think a person needs to have a purpose in life or else they might not survive. Doesn't have to be a big purpose; a person could be fulfilled just by making someone smile. Who knows, maybe we all have a purpose, it's just not always apparent.

I think a good life is one in which I love and am loved. And right now I feel blessed to have a wonderful life!
July 27, 2015 at 9:14 AM
Susan Gourley/Kelley said…
I think I believe a combination of what you two believe. I feel like I have helped some people a little bit here and there. But I also try to live a useful, productive life every day.
Susan Says
July 27, 2015 at 9:17 AM
Maria Zannini said…
Stacy:
re: I think a good life is one in which I love and am loved.

How true. In the end, that's the only thing that matters.
July 27, 2015 at 10:11 AM
Maria Zannini said…
Susan: It's like covering all your bases.
July 27, 2015 at 10:13 AM
betty said…
Because of my faith, I believe we have a purpose in our lives. I believe my purpose is to glorify God and to make him known to others :)

betty
July 27, 2015 at 11:17 AM
Sandra Ulbrich Almazan said…
I think we all have to decide on the purpose of our lives for ourselves. It's going to be different for everyone, and that's how it should be.
July 27, 2015 at 1:00 PM
Anonymous said…
I don't think we have a purpose "given" to us. Life exists and is purpose enough. What we choose to do with life is a very individual decision. My own is to share life with others, to be useful, to provide and receive love, nurturing, and companionship. I hope to leave the world a little better because I was here.
July 27, 2015 at 2:31 PM
Angela Brown said…
I see both of views as correct. I also add that we all exist as reasons for seasons. We are placed in various paths, making new friends, letting friends go, learning and growing along the way. We find fulfillment in the little and big things we accomplish.
July 27, 2015 at 3:33 PM
Maria Zannini said…
Betty: Any time we're aware of our purpose, it gives life fulfillment. Sometimes I think of all the people who feel rudderless.

July 27, 2015 at 4:01 PM
Maria Zannini said…
Sandra: But some people, like my hubby for instance, don't look for purpose but rather to be the best person he can be.

Both journeys are positive, each from a different perspective.
July 27, 2015 at 4:04 PM
Maria Zannini said…
Marlene: That's how my hubby thinks as well. In the end, we both want the same thing, but we approach it differently.
July 27, 2015 at 4:05 PM
Maria Zannini said…
Angela: It was hard for me to learn, but I've learned to accept that things happen when they happen. Worrying about it won't make it happen (or not happen) any sooner.

The same with seeing fulfillment, not in my big accomplishments, but the little ones as well. Looking back, sometimes it's the little things that made the most impact on me as a person.
July 27, 2015 at 4:12 PM
Jenny Schwartz said…
Purpose? I don't know if I'd phrase it that way ... too much pressure for my Type A personality to struggle to attain certain goals. I tend to think of it as alignment. What I believe, my actions, how I interact with people, should all align. Being true to yourself is tough, though, we're all such complicated individuals.
July 27, 2015 at 6:04 PM
Maria Zannini said…
Jenny: I dunno. Alignment sounds even harder! :D But then, you're talking to someone who has trouble aligning a zipper, let alone relationships.

Seriously though, I understand what you mean. Basically, we should be ourselves wherever we apply ourselves.
July 27, 2015 at 7:02 PM
Stacy said…
Maria I'm glad to be reminded by this and all of your posts that there are many of us in the world who are doing our best to do our best. Sometimes the "news" makes me feel less hopeful but your posts help me to remember that there are enough of us that things will probably turn out alright. :)
July 27, 2015 at 11:17 PM
Maria Zannini said…
Stacy: I still believe in the Silent Majority, those of us who will eventually right things back to the middle and not one extreme or the other. But first the pendulum has to swing both ways to show people the folly of their ways.
July 28, 2015 at 5:16 AM
the author said…
Does life need a purpose? Is it enough just to live a good life? And here's a tricky question. What is a 'good' life?

Since we've evolved to be independent thinkers I think it's up to the individual. What qualifies as enough in relation to a good life depends on your definition of good and your personal belief system. I go with the basics: in all things whenever possible, create rather than destroy, help rather than harm, and love rather than hate. Add in a dash of be the change you want to see in your world.

More than anything, a good life is one that you keep wanting to live.
July 28, 2015 at 6:59 PM
Maria Zannini said…
Lynn: I especially like 'help rather than harm'.

If more people followed these tenets, we might have a less self-absorbed society.
July 29, 2015 at 5:35 AM
Mike Keyton said…
As you said ref being here for a purpose, or just doing your best: both viewpoints ring true depending on your personality. And of course the answer is unknowable. Sometimes I think I'm here for a purpose, then I step back, aware of the inherent conceit or perhaps wishful thinking. I may be here for a purpose. I don't know, and until I find out I just try to be kind and not be too selfish. One is harder than the other :)
July 29, 2015 at 11:16 AM
Maria Zannini said…
Mike: Greg probably thinks me conceited for wanting to have a purpose, but I have no grand ambitions. I'm not out to change the world, just the few acres I inhabit.
July 29, 2015 at 5:39 PM
Barbara Ann Wright said…
I think it's enough to lead a life you enjoyed, one that made you feel fulfilled and content.
July 29, 2015 at 7:49 PM
Maria Zannini said…
Barbara: This is where Greg and I differ. His idea of enjoyment is far different than mine. Mine looks like work. LOL!
July 29, 2015 at 9:28 PM
Mike Keyton said…
Maria, I wasn't thinking or suggesting you were conceited. I was merely reflecting my own self doubt
July 30, 2015 at 2:12 AM
Maria Zannini said…
Mike: You're right though. It is a bit of a conceit to believe we were meant to serve a purpose. My purpose isn't quite so grand though, so I'm not worried about being too conceited. :)
July 30, 2015 at 6:32 AM
Suzanne Brandyn Author said…
I believe we are all here for a purpose.I also believe that we have to try our best at whatever we do, be kind and considerate and help other's.

My husband doesn't believe we are here for a purpose either. As for a good life, isn't that contentment. What makes me content doesn't necessarily make another person content. :)



August 2, 2015 at 8:23 PM
Maria Zannini said…
Suzanne: True. I guess I worry about the guy who gets contentment by being cruel or abusive. While he make take contentment in it, few would think he had a good life.


August 2, 2015 at 10:13 PM
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