by Simple Mind

Created on: September 01, 2008

The Purpose of Life is Happiness

Humans are the first beings on Earth to develop brains capable of highly complex and abstract thinking, but obviously this ability has been a blessing and a curse. For all of our technological innovations and progress as a people, we continue to struggle with the deceptively simple question of our purpose in the world individually and collectively. Over the years, philosophers, scientists and theologians have posited numerous theories emanating from a wide array of disciplines on the subject, however, these explanations cannot be a panacea, because in the end we are unique individuals, all 6.7 billion of us, each possessing a distinct take on life. I believe for those of us who yearn for "The Truth", who constantly struggle with meaning in existence, there is an answer, but one which can only be realized by first asking the right questions.

Merriam-Webster defines the word purpose' as "something set up as an object or end to be attained." So when we speak of purpose there is an end we are moving toward, an object to attain. Of course, the object need not be tangible. For example, the pursuit of happiness has been suggested as a possibility. To the extent that happiness encompasses "life purpose", it is a compelling idea: wouldn't being happy necessarily include understanding one's purpose as well? In other words, could the answer to "how to be happy?" encompass the search for purpose and perhaps other philosophical quandaries? I don't mean to diminish the significance of an inquiry ruminated upon for centuries by mankind, however, I believe for the great majority of us the question arises out of a deep longing that is as difficult to define as it is essential to resolve. We may place the label "purpose" on it, but ultimately, there may be no word that appropriately describes the void we feel. From material possessions to careers to relationships, in our attempts to fill this chasm between mind and heart, we blindly wave our arms, searching for the right switch to finally illuminate the path to understanding life.

"Purpose" connotes a singular, distinct object; thus, the implied idea is one goal: What is THE purpose of life? The question naturally focuses our search on one object which explains why so many look to a particular career or project for the answer. Yet, when we consider people like Marilyn Monroe and Vincent van Gogh who appeared to understand their purpose, this realization was at best a bittersweet comfort to them

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