by Jishi Santos

Created on: February 05, 2009

CONTEMPLATING THE PURPOSE OF LIFE.

This statement brings to mind another statement, "You can sit there contemplating your navel forever but unless you get up and do something you will never interact with all the life going on around you". So for all those in ivory towers who want to contemplate or meditate or think about the theory of the purpose of life, great; it is a good philosophical exercise but really won't aid you maximising life's opportunities. I say this with one proviso that if out of the contemplating of life you learn from your mistakes, then fine. Everybody to their own purpose or destiny in this passage of time in which as living beings we breathe the air and interact the best way we can but I have never quite fathomed those who choose the path of a life time of life contemplating it. Rather,in my opinion, get out there and as God puts it in Genesis, 'subdue' the earth. By this is meant go out and find out about all the wonders created in so many areas of the planet. If you contemplate life for too long you will fill your mind with many notions and end up still wondering which one is right . If you are sitting there contemplating the afterlife for the whole of your life it may prove a waste of time. Who knows?

Look we were born in a mystery to us, for who can explain the miracle of a sperm meeting an egg and forming new human life. We die in a mystery too, for no one has come back from life and told us with great conviction and proof that there is a life beyond death, except Jesus. The mystery of the Alpha and Omega should remain so, for too much contemplation will shred the mystery to pieces and everybody will claim to know the answer. So having discussed the beginning and end of this journey called life, lets get to the heart of the matter the journey in between and contemplate a few observations.

What would the Creator of life have thought the purpose of life was? I think the thought would have come to mind."I hope they make the most of this gift". It is said in the Bible that mans' days were cut short after the flood and prior to that it was not uncommon for people such as Methuzala to live to 999 years old. Noah was 500 years old when he had his first child and older when he was asked to build the ark. There is not as long now, so really you should make the most of every second, minute, hour, day, week, month, year, decade and so on. It depends, I guess, how you choose to spend that time. To think about it too long is a mistake, for in the words of Neil Young, "Once you've gone you can't come back". I feel I have spent long enough on the contemplation bit, so now to the purpose of life. (in my opinion only, remember.)

To live as fulfilling life as you can would be first on my list. That means get the most out of the opportunities and resources this world offers you. Do not abuse the resources, 'take only what you need.'

To live for the day and the present moment. Do not dwell in the past or worry about the future.

To live for others as well. Give a bit of yourself to cheer up someone else's life.

To live life so that you are aware of all the beautiful paradises that lie in the least visited places and visit them; we are not confined to the cities.

To live life with a belief that everything that is round you is a gift and treat it as such.

To live life without too much contemplation especially if that contemplation is negative and regressive. (Remember Neil Young's words mentioned earlier)

To live life in such a way that it is a great example to pass on to your children, the custodians of the future of the planet.

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