[MudCrab]

“If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things.” ― René Descartes

I have pondered why I was put on this Earth for much of my live. I attended parochial schools through high school. We were told each of us had a unique purpose. Our happiness depended on discovering it.

After some time, I doubted the veracity of needing to ferret out a unique purpose. Instead, I came to believe through introspection I could find a purpose that put meaning into my life.

Today, I read some articles on meaning and purpose again. There certainly is not consensus.

Why It's Hard To Find Your "Life Purpose" In Today's World

"Every being is intended to be on earth for a certain purpose."
-- Sa'di, 12th Century Persian poet

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/...n-todays-world

How to Find Your Life's Purpose

Here's the truth: Your purpose is to bring more love to this earth. It is to heal where there is brokenness. It is to bring light where there is darkness. It is to restore sanity where insanity reigns, kindness where fear has taken over.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tara-s..._b_889166.html

Finding Meaning and Purpose in Your Life

Step One: Discover your soul and its path.
Step Two: Open Your Heart to Feelings
Step Three: Conquer Your Fears
Step Four: The Four Things Every Soul Needs

http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Finding-...r-Life/print/1

I liked what Douglas LaBier, Ph.D., had to say. Yet, there is merit to find in all three articles. What resonated with you?

[allimsaying]

Ok, I feel like an attention addict by answering this. Ive seen this question on these boards, spent hours of my life trying to think of a one size fits all answer. Only recently a small seed was planted in my mind while reading someone elses posts and instead of forcing it into a phrase I just acknowledged it and let it be there for a few days until another post came up and then I allowed the full thought to come into being in my mind. It feels like a great breakthrough for me but in reality Im sure someone has already thought of it.

Meaning follows value. First we value something and what it means to us follows. The example I used was a drinking glass. Not so valuable on its surface. There are many and easily replaced. But what if it was the drinking glass of your great grandmother, the one she cherished and used and in time it is passed down in the family and currently you are its keeper. Because of its emotional value, it has meaning. Its something you love and protect.

Now imagine something of yourself that has value. Your soul or spirit, or your childs. Once you have placed a value on something, meaning and purpose follows. To love and protect amongst many other emotions. So, we have a thing, its value, our connection to that thing, and finally our purpose.

Sorry if that does not address the question.

thanks for the artickles, and i'll be sure to check them out

the meaning of life... well i've never really figured it out

you are born, you live, you die

why we're put on this earth i don't know.

i mean... let's say you find something you like to do, it's only going to be tempary- so in a way, it's meaningful because it's a very short time.

but that's just me.. life means nothing.

to someone else it may mean everything