Purpose 2.0
In what appears to be the twilight of the human race, we all seem to be very wrapped up in finding our 'purpose'. It's all very new age and neo-religious, based on ancient texts and thoughts that are far wiser than anything we could think up today. Boolean string theory is mundane in comparison and 14 dimensional math seems a walk in the park. All good really, and quite obviously the tomes include acute observation of the nature of humanity and the absolute meaningless of it all.
As we seem to step away from the Godhead and declare ourselves to be god, big or little G included, something still sticks, a product of the id, the ego the super ego - the idea of purpose. We have taken the idea of purpose being to come to earth to suffer to learn to mean to come to earth to fulfil some kind of quest meant for us and only us... a personal holy pilgrimage which makes us all unique, special and worthwhile.
We are all going to change the world you know - I am unique we cry!
All of which I agree with completely. The fact is we are unique:
No one has ever been you before.
No one has ever had your experiences.
No one has ever been you, nor will anyone be you again.
There you have it, you are unique and no one has the ability to be you except you, which in some cases is a shame and in others a piece of luck rejoiced by the rest of humanity.
The thing is though, all this has nothing to do with a 'purpose'. In fact even if it did, how could you ever be sure that you have achieved your purpose, or what it is at all. The only thing we can be sure of is that if we do have a purpose it may be fulfilled before we are born - our mother's pregnancy may have changed something in the world - that has happened in countless families, or while we are alive, or after our death - think of how Shakespear or Homer (the Oddyssey not Simpson) have shaped the world after death.
So here it is, what defines a purpose? Richard Branson is a successful man by world standards. But is his purpose Virgin, is it raising a family, or was it achieved at 11 when he said something nice, or something horrid, to old Mrs Whatshername from number 32? Which is more important? You see, the thing is, there is no ringing bell, no lightbulb that flashes once purpose is achieved. Death afterwards may not come for decades, or may have come before. Just because an individual possesses certain abilities does not mean that these abilities have anything to do with their purpose - Hitler thought he was an artist... and perhaps he should have stuck to that. In his horrendous actions he may have killed the very person who was going to destro the entire planet... how can we be sure he didn't? Of course he could also have killed the new Messiah just as easily.
The thing is, be careful what you think about yourself, and how much you think you know yourself and your limits, because underneath it all, the most obvious thing is not necessarily the most important thing. Always try to give the best of yourself because you never know when you could meet your purpose. Who knows, you may have already fulfilled it by sharing your apple with Johnny No-Mates in grade 2. You may have prevented the psycological damage needed to produce a serial killer... and if that sounds a little far fetched... I have to ask you, how can you be so sure about that?
