I am several months into my mid-life crisis and rediscovering my identity, I have often found myself contemplating the purpose of life, or more specifically the purpose of MY life. My kids are now adults that don't need me as much, I had a job that I didn't enjoy and in fact had grown to downright hate showing up to every day (which I have since quit) and I have literally no idea what my end game or direction in life should be now. So now what, does it matter?
The purpose of life has been a question that has puzzled humanity for ages. Many philosophers, writers, and thinkers have delved into this profound question, each offering their unique perspective on the enigma of existence. In this blog post, we explore 10 thought-provoking quotes that shed light on the elusive purpose of life.
1. "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." - John Lennon
Lennon's words serve as a poignant reminder to cherish the present moment and embrace the unpredictability of life's journey. This one cracks me up- living a life by default, so to speak. I'm not sure that is really they purpose of life at all but I honestly think that is how most of us have been living our lives. That has definitely been the case for me over the last 20 years. I've been so busy doing everything for everyone and checking things off of important to do lists that I didn't give my life or my purpose in life a second thought. Until everything seemed to screech to a halt back in March/April 2024 and I entered my mid-life identity crisis. Who am I? Howe did I get here? Where am I going? What's my purpose?
2. "The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Emerson beautifully captures the essence of a meaningful life, emphasizing the importance of virtues over fleeting happiness. Making a different in the world, that shoule be something we all want and aim for, right?
3. "The purpose of our lives is to be happy." - Dalai Lama
Contrary to Emerson, the Dalai Lama offers a simpler yet profound perspective, advocating for the pursuit of happiness as the ultimate goal of life. Simply put- if you are happy you are on track. But there's more to it than that, right?
4. "The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle." - Steve Jobs
Jobs' words resonate with the pursuit of passion and purpose, highlighting the significance of finding fulfillment in one's endeavors. This one I actually love- I have been telling myself "Do what you love, love what you do and the money will follow." It's a mantra I have been using for most of this year. But have gotten stuck, at times on what it is that I actually love and enjoy doing enough I could make money with it!
5. "You don't have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body." - C.S. Lewis
Lewis's quote challenges traditional views on the purpose of life, framing existence as a spiritual journey rather than a mere physical experience. We are not humans having a spiritual experience but a spirit having a human experience. I'm not sure who said that one, but it is an interesting thought!
6. "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away." - Pablo Picasso
Picasso's perspective echoes the notion of self-discovery and service, suggesting that true fulfillment lies in sharing one's unique talents with the world. There are those two words again, meaning and purpose. The vague concepts that I am trying to make sense of.
7. "Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose." - Viktor Frankl
Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and renowned psychiatrist, underscores the significance of finding meaning in life as a source of resilience and inner strength.
Yes, lack of meaning is my current issue- I don't really feel like I have one, but I'm working on figuring that out through writing. Words make sense of the world around us. For me writing helps me make sense of all the thoughts tripping over themselves in my head!
8. "Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." - Howard Thurman
Thurman's quote encourages individuals to pursue their passions and authentic selves, emphasizing the transformative power of living a purpose-driven life. This is another one that I really like. What are you most passionate about? Someone once asked me what could I talk about for two hours straight and NOT get tired of? What makes you excited, alive, animated, and even obsessed can be a good thing to pinpoint and work on. We need more people in the world who are animated, excited and passionate about things in life! Those people make other people around them feel alive and excitement for life!
9. "The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience." - Eleanor Roosevelt
Roosevelt's words inspire a life of adventure, curiosity, and growth, urging individuals to embrace all that life has to offer. This quote is actually a theme that I have been coming across a lot in the last week. The purpose of life is to LIVE, plan and simple.
10. "The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." - Mark Twain
Twain's quote encapsulates the journey of self-discovery, highlighting the significance of uncovering one's purpose as a pivotal moment in life. I feel like a lot of people found out why they exist in life as an afterthought. Hindsight is 20-20, looking ahead we may not understand why but looking back the pieces all seem to fall into place and make sense.
The purpose of life still remains a complex and deeply personal question that has elicited a myriad of perspectives and philosophies. As we navigate our own paths and seek meaning in our existence, may these thought-provoking quotes offer guidance, inspiration, and contemplation on the enigmatic journey of life.
Overall I think that I have decided that the purpose of life is to LIVE! Your purpose in life is to find something meaningful to you and go out there and do it! It doesn't necessarily have to be something ground shaking and life altering for other people, just something that makes you feel happy, alive, excited and that you can share with other people to help them feel more happy, alive and excited.
Do you have a favorite quote on the purpose of life? Drop it in the comments below!
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