We humans are not just biological scripting reacting to nature’s events.
We’re thinkers, planners, dreamers, organizers, collaborators…
…But most of all, we’re builders.
And if we want purpose and meaning in our lives… we have to build it—not wait for nature to give it.
Some examples of what has and/or still fills me with a sense of purpose and meaning are the following:
- Family/Friends/Lovers: I don’t feel a sense of meaning or purpose towards strangers… only towards the people whom I’ve built strong connections with. My purpose is to nurture, provide, care for, support, console, and so on… and the more I invest (and build) into them, the more meaning and reward I feel. Especially as it’s reciprocated and something great gets mutually grown and shared.
- Vocation/Career/Work: It started with an incredibly strong desire to be a great martial artist—that was my purpose. I was completely captivated by it. I was good at it. And I was lucky to have found a school that knew how to facilitate it. The more I invested, the more meaning I felt. And once I got to the point where I was leading, teaching, and coaching—and helping others build themselves—my purpose and meaning grew in proportion to the lives I touched.
- Reading/Writing/Creating: Early stage reading was shallow for me. I cared more about finishing than comprehending. And not much meaning/purpose resulted. But once I decided to build a quote website? And write daily insights? And build accompanying websites, content, guides, and more? Uh, yeah… purpose and meaning city.
Never forget: purpose and meaning isn’t something life gives to you. It’s something you build from the life you’ve been gifted.