16 November 2015

Defining onesself - Finding the Purpose in Life



During social gatherings, when the people I meet introduce themselves, most of them define themselves by their fancy job title, regardless of the fact whether they are truly passionate about their job or believe in it or not. Often, it has left me wondering who that person actually is. And I quickly get bored with them and  simply move on to the next. It is true that social community sites like Linkedin, Facebook, dating/matrimonial sites have made us define our profiles in the typical job, career, school, 'likes'- model, creating in us the belief that we are what our job is or the money we make, or what our relationship status is, or the community that we belong to.  And those who think they are that, they obviously will have nothing else going on in their life and believe that they are nothing more than that. No wonder they lose their sense of identity once they lose the very thing that 'defined' them.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/19365670@N04/2334182753/
'Just Red' by ©© Flickr/Nam Nguyen
Once I asked a few friends to find out and tell me what defines them, and what they stand for. Even after a month, none of them could come up with any answers! This is where profile filling columns of 'Couchsurfing', stand apart. It mostly focuses on what sets one apart and makes them unique, and a self-introspection on one's life. (At the least, their earlier version of the questionnaire was much more introspective, which I liked better, though complicated) To be honest, it took me 2 whole weeks to figure out the answers to all those questions!!

I believe that one must define oneself by what they believe in and what they do for realizing that. It means following your heart and being in sync with who you are; and aligning your life with it.

Although rare, I am sometimes asked by some curious minds - what is the purpose of my life, and why I do what I do. I believe that one must define oneself by what they believe in and what they do for realizing that. It means following your heart and being in sync with who you are; and aligning your life with it, whatever your job may be. If you can create a career out of it, well then that is totally great. It's just that it shouldn't be your job (unless that's what you believe in or is passionate about) or paycheck or social status, where or whom you belong with, be the one defining you. That's why they say that you must be passionate about something, and passionate enough to follow it. And that is where one finds meaning in themselves, and in their life and purpose. Let it be any activity or a cause you care for; just stand for it and do something about it. Let that be your definition; because that's where true happiness lies.


When I am asked what my purpose is, it is to be true to who I am. And to be more of who I am. There are some things that are unique to you, and that only you can realize in this world. Be true to oneself and eventually you will find out what it really is.

Sometimes, following one's heart or intuition involves taking risks. Nevertheless, the truest intentions and desires of our heart always come true, if one is willing to stand for it and act on it. And when I am asked what my purpose is, it is to be true to who I am. And to be more of who I am. There are some things that are unique to you, and that only you can realize in this world. Be true to oneself and eventually you will find out what it really is. Quoting one of my favorite TV Show character, "Every situation, every circumstance in life that happens and every action taken, is leading us to or is preparing us to be where we are meant to be. Either you will find it, or it will find you". It's just that one needs to be open to it and willing to follow one's call.

The purpose in life is to create a purpose of your own.

Apart from the meaningless, live-like-there-is-no-tomorrow folks that I sometimes run into, I would say that I am also lucky to get acquainted with a few souls that are already in the path of self discovery, trying to find a meaning to their life and actions. Sometimes, the purpose in life is to create a purpose of your own. You need not necessarily understand everything right away. You just need to believe in and stand for something. Like Steve Jobs said, somehow your heart (and intuition) already knows what you truly want to become. When you start to follow your passion, eventually the higher purpose in it becomes clear, and most likely through it, how you make the world a better place and contribute to the world, then becomes your purpose.

Stand for and do, what you truly believe in. And define yourself by it.

So even if what earns your living might not be where your heart truly lies, stand for and do what you truly believe in, regardless of your job. And define yourself by it. And when you start to be true to yourself is when you start to be actually free. So start doing things that are meaningful. Quoting Steve Jobs again, "Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition". Be in sync with who you are meant to be. Remember, we are the artists of our own lives. And like the Peter England ad, #BeEverythingYouLove.


1 comment:

  1. Great post. Thank you for sharing. I agree, we need to find meaning ourselves and being authentic is a great response. To be more of myself each day and venture myself through life seeking unconditional self-acceptance. It is not an easy venture but definitely the most rewarding.

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