The Question We Keep Avoiding

Why are we here? This is a question whispered in moments of solitude and shouted in times of despair. Yet, in a world obsessed with busyness and noise, we often avoid it, fearing that the answer might be too grand, too elusive, or, worse, nonexistent.

However, this question isn’t meant to haunt us, it is the key to unlocking a life of meaning, fulfillment, and impact, and for centuries humanity has been fascinated with it. But the actual question should be, how do we discover this meaning?

Philosophers, theologians, and psychologists have long grappled with this question. Aristotle called purpose ‘eudaimonia’, the state of flourishing that comes from living in accordance with our highest virtues.

In the Bible, Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us of God’s intentional design: “For I know the plans I have for you… plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” These perspectives converge on one truth that purpose is not a luxury; it is a necessity.

One of the greatest misconceptions about purpose is that it is a fixed point we must strive to reach. I don’t think so, in reality, purpose is more dynamic than that. It evolves with clarity as we grow.

Consider the words of Howard Thurman: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” People who are living and not merely existing.

Whenever you think of the question, why are you here? Try hard to avoid avoiding answering because its not a question to avoid. It’s a question to embrace. Your purpose might not come to you in a flash of inspiration. It may take years of exploration, trial and error, and that’s okay. The journey itself is part of the purpose.

Go ahead and reflect on the above and ponder over the question every day, in every way, for as long as you’re given breath. While you do so kindly consider these words of Ralph Waldo Emerson.

He said “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”

Let’s keep the conversation going, share your reflections with us, and let’s inspire one another on this incredible journey of purpose.

No Copyright infringement intended.