Apologies in advance for the existential crises that I may very well spark with this post.
I think I'm on like my fifth or sixth quarter-life crisis, so... yeah.
If you're someone who gets freaked out by existential 'what am I doing with my life?' stuff, consider this your warning!
I've never really wondered about what my life's purpose is - my life's purpose is books.
I've never doubted that I'm on this planet to read and write.
I don't doubt it any more than we doubt as a species that we're on this planet to breathe, eat, and sleep.
No, what gets my head in a twist is not the what... it's the why.
Why is my purpose books? Why do we have 'a purpose?'
Does everyone have 'a purpose?' And if not, why not?
Are we supposed to do something in particular with this purpose once we've found it?
Is there a pass/fail on this purpose? Is there a form we'll have to fill in at the end of it all justifying what we've done with our individual purposes?
Are these purposes decided for us by some deity/deities/the fabric of the cosmos?!
See? I'm good at the whole 'putting the nature of reality into question' thing. Sometimes I really wish I wasn't 😅
Basically, I have no need to search for my calling.
I just have no clue why I have one, and what I'm supposed to do with it now that it's here!
Isn't finding the calling/purpose supposed to be the end-goal? Once we have one aren't we just supposed to... know what we're doing?
If your purpose is being a doctor, you go be a doctor, right? Or do doctors secretly spend hours wondering why this is their calling?
Do they wonder if there's a reason they're doing this at all or whether it just sort of... happened? Do they wonder there's a level they're 'supposed' to get to?
Do they wonder if there's a particular person they're supposed to help? A particular thing they should be doing?
Or do they just wonder what they should have for dinner when they get home from work?
So, now that I've thoroughly freaked you all out - let's end on a positive note, shall we?
Whether you know what your purpose is or not, whether you have a purpose or not, and whatever your purpose is*, you are amazing.
You are not one thing. You are all of the millions of weird little things that combine to make you you.
You rock. Keep rocking. I love you my nerdlets.
*Unless your purpose is like... dealing drugs, or murder. Or similarly bad things. Then maybe don't do the thing.
Do you believe in having a purpose? Do you have one? Talk to me! 😄💬
Previous Nerd Church posts:
Last updated: 28th June 2018
I was literally talking with my sister about this the other day! We were watching a YouTube video where these guys were debating if humans were put on this earth for some kind of purpose, or if this was all done random coincidence. I honestly don’t know. I mean, I believe in the Big Bang theory which would suggest that the creation of the universe and us was totally coincidental and therefore we have no purpose other than to one day be swept out. (Lovely, I know.) But on the other hand, that seems all a bit too cynical for me. I believe that humans want to have a purpose because it sounds nicer than being told that our creation was an accident.
ReplyDeleteHahaha, I love how optimistic you are about humanity Em ;) Keep rockin!
DeleteInteresting stuff! I like to think we have a purpose but of course I can't prove it! And I hope there's not a test at the end- that'd be too much like school. :) But it does give us purpose sometimes I think to believe in that stuff? Of course if you don't believe in that kinda stuff you might look at purpose differently, but I think we all want to think that what we do matters? I like too how you feel your purpose is books and writing- I feel like a lot of us think that way, and non- readers probably have a whole different take. Of course I have a hard time understanding someone who doesn't want to read! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd we are all wonderfully unique- I like how you said that.
Thanks! I think that some people find it useful to think they have a purpose... and some people just overthink the purpose behind purpose and confuse their fellow bloggers/other people who happen to faffing around, like I do ;)
DeleteI try not to think too hard about stuff that might give me an existential crisis lol. I'm glad you've found your purpose though, even if you don't know *why* it's your purpose. But yes, maybe people should try to find a new purpose if theirs is drug dealing or murder :-P
ReplyDeleteHa, I wanted to make clear that I didn't condone that kind of thing dammit! ;) #Responsible
DeleteI honestly don't believe in all the purpose stuff! I dunno, or if I do, it's more of a you-make-your-own-purpose thing, and not really "finding" it? I HAVE NO IDEA GAH THIS IS ALL SO CONFUSING. D: Anyway, like you said, we're all still valid and we all still matter!!! ♥
ReplyDelete- Aimee @ Aimee, Always
Ha, sorry for confusing you! Regardless, we're all awesome! XD <3
DeleteThis is DEEP, man. I am unsure about what my personal purpose is. I used to think it was writing, but I've lost a lot of confidence in that area. At the moment, motherhood is giving me more fulfilment than my job, or anything else. I'm an atheist so I don't believe in a purpose in the sense of a destiny planned out by a deity. I think that we can choose our own purpose in life. I do think that everyone has their own talents and gifts. They're not necessarily obvious and might not bring us any glory or recognition. It might just be that you're good at listening to others or cheering them up, or whatever. But everyone is good at something. I think that life is whatever you want it to be, but it makes sense to try to play to your strengths and reach your full potential if you want a fulfilling life. The only way to fail, in my opinion, is to give up trying to go for the things we want and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI love this comment! XD So eloquent Tizzy, I wish I'd just let you write this post! ;) You're right, life is what we make of it! XD
DeleteI totally believe in having a purpose and doing what you think is right. I think your purpose probably changes depending where you are in life and whats important to you are the moment. ❤️
ReplyDeleteWell put! :) <3
DeleteThinking about the purpose of life gives me a headache, I try not to think about it too much....I just try to enjoy what time I have (I'm not dying or anything). I believe that you should live your life and make sure you don't regret it. That's easier said than done. If having a purpose helps then have one.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Dani Eide comment!
Dinh@Arlene's Book Club
Haha, sorry for giving you a headache! XD Too true - life is what you make it and all that! :)
DeleteSuch an interesting post! I especially love your little disclaimer at the bottom---yeah, if your purpose is murder, you should probably abstain. :-)
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Ha, this is a result of my natural over-thinking! Like, nobody use my blogpost as justification to go on a killing spree, please! ;)
Delete