The Purpose of Your Life

If you're at all philosophical about life, you'll be wondering why and what.

Why are we here, why does life exist, what is real and true, and what should I do with my life?

Wondering and questioning is part of how we're wired; it's a survival and belonging issue. We don't like not knowing, we don't like being alone, and we don't like not having some kind of story to be part of.

So what is the purpose of life?

Naturally, there are many different opinions but if we boil it all down, this idea of us being here, being intelligent, and living for (hopefully) eight or nine decades, then perhaps we can at least see it this way:

First, you’re a living organism. Therefore, your first purpose is to survive. That means to be safe, get food, find shelter and do enough to make sure you continue to live.

Second, you’re a social being. Therefore, your second purpose is to belong. Partly to survive, partly to feel safe and loved, partly to reproduce.

Third, beyond this you obviously have potential. Which means, you can grow, be curious and creative, and contribute to the welfare of others and our environment.

All of this consitutes 'living.'

Obviously there's more to it than this but I favour simplicity as a way to understand.

So quite simply, I see it like this: The purpose of your life is to live.

How well you do that

is up to you.

No more, no less.