In the grand scheme of the universe we're a bunch of really fucking smart, but really fucking insignificant monkeys. Other animals have to worry about survival. We (as humans) have the luxury of sitting around wondering what we should do with our lives, because we're bored. (We got the survival thing licked.) Enjoy the free time. Have a statue made in your honor, or live a peaceful life with your family. It's all the same to the universe.

PS. I'm a humanist. I live to see the scientific and cultural advancement of my race (aka: the human race). Is there a point to it? Not really. But I think it's a worthwhile effort, and it makes me proud. We are some magnificent monkeys! :) No need to be modest.

try waking up 10 – 15min. earlier, just sit up against a pillow, close your eyes and just breath. Get nice and relaxed, just breath, deeply and slowly.

And then, open your eyes, take out a sheet of paper with these questions at the top, (and some of your own), read the first one, and see what comes to mind. – i suggest writing out the answers that come in a journal.

-why am I here?

-What do I enjoy most?

-what are my stengths?

-what are some of my fears?

——————these are just suggestions.
a couple points that I've come to understand – i have much to learn AND everyone comes from a different perspective, so take what resonates with you…

—————–our purpose, from my understanding, is to simply follow what brings us inner joy. Purpose, to me, is discovered while living IN the moment, rather than figured out by thinking about it. I haven't a clue exactly where I'll be in 10 years or what I'll be doing, but I do know what i LOVE doing. -

—————-inner joy, as i've experienced it, stems from 4 sources –
1. Things I normally enjoy, talking with family, hanging with friends, eating bbq chips, drinking red wine

2. Selfless Things I'm wanting to achieve – establishing an elite entrepreneur network at UT, sharing with people the experience of CUTCO products, significantly impacting the lives of those close to me

3. Selfish things I want in my life – a new saxophone, 2000 in savings, acoustic electric guitar, pay off wells fargo loans

4. Acting towards – Feeling Good about – Acting out of belief towards what I'm wanting — holding Texas Ventures meetings, throwing events, booking CUTCO presentations, taking a percentage of what i make and saving it.

so my purpose is to enjoy and love what ever it is im' doing – and that currently is Texas Ventures, CUTCO, UT Business School, and Daily Personal Development, and close Family and friends.

——————-actions, feelings, thoughts stem from either love or fear. To begin facing my fears, I become aware of them – (what are some of my fears?) anytime I feel uncomfortable about anything, i'm now aware there's a fear at the core of it.

——————–i don't have to FIGURE anything out – my limiting fears, my purpose in life, etc to enjoy life, to follow my passions. Because I've found that when I'm in a state of relief, joy, having fun, and believing — i'm discovering my purpose every step of the way.

so to me, a purpose isn't something you FIGURE out cognitively, rather its something you ALLOW yourself to discover while following your bliss

____________________________-___________
So then back to your initial belief – As I understand it, our purpose is what brings us inner joy. And I do believe that everyone here on earth who you see following a “purpose” or becoming something admirable, is simply following what he or she enjoys at heart and is passionate about. And notice how many different passions there are!

Hope this helps (you can tell that something I'm deeply passionate about is unleashing the potential of others and myself – simply bringing relief to my friends to just TRUST in the proess of life as it unfolds and focus on ENJOYING the now has worked so far. still much to learn)

your blog speaks of questions i've been pondering as well…
What's neat is everyone has a unique way of answering the question – and what I want to describe as life's purpose is to me exactly what you described, just with different words.

I'm in an interesting time now – have busted my butt since I can remember towards things I want, and some things I was told I needed to do… like get straight A's, or get a job. And between balancing things, I believe I've royally failed – over and over again, month after month, week after week, ending in dissatisfaction and usually depression. of course there are good days, but when you're in the habit of being burnt out or burning out… your burnt out lol

I've been told life's purpose is to enjoy it, to seek relief, to just be in the moment, worryless, fearless, completely allowing myself to be all that life has cause me to want and be in this very moment. (it is interesting how the english language has so many tenses of time.. past, present, future – when the Native Americans have mostly here and now.)

After TRYING to apply this idea of the purpose of life to CURRENT ambitions – it only worked temporarily, and then old habits took over and the feeling burnt out came again and again.

from this, I deduced – my life's purpose is what brings ME joy – and to wrap everything else around that. My greatest joy is lifting people's spirits up through music, teaching, jokes, encouragement, or even a simple 'you're awesome' – and when I think of getting a business degree so that I can simply do that to all of my future employees daily, suddenly studying for accounting becomes more of a joy than it was.

So now, for me, my purpose is to ponder on what I want and follow that – just as you said above – and just see where it takes me. Setting goals helps guide me, but its journey towards it, not the actual achieving it, that is the purpose – so I've been told.
–”so much deliciousness in the wanting.” when i'm believing I can have what I'm wanting – it feels good… and that's my goal now, to just enjoy the wanting of everything i've ever wanted – my dreams, my current ambitions, and some of them UT girls. ;) etc….

i dont' know why i'm writing this – it is very odd that I even found this post – I went from txv's twitter to yours, to melissa's, back to your's, then your think27, and randomly to tumblr, and then to here – as if the word and meaning of purpose has drawn me like a magnet.

Lastly – I love Warren Buffet's basic strategy for success –> jump on the opportunities as they come. His mindset is incredible “The fundamentals are in place to take us higher” – “we run Berkshire as if there is no better creditor”

it is certainly fun to dream of being the next Warren Buffet or Herb Kelleher – why not? I'm learning quickly there's no harm in wanting and dreaming – and things are in place for life to get much better.

D

Seriously, Trey well said. Thanks man.

Excellent post. I think Passion and Play have a lot to do with our overall purpose. I like to look back on my childhood and remember what I considered play, then adapt that with my current passions.

It may seem kinda opposite of purpose at first, but I think both play/passion and purpose have a lot in common. Instinctively we (some people) think of purpose as some sort of hum drum responsibility to do something that may have a good overall goal, but isn't really all that attractive to the doer. I think it's quite the opposite.

Our play/passion will naturally result in our life purpose.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MmpUWEW6Is

Asking what life's meaning or purpose 'is', as if it has a specific one, probably doesn't have an answer. It would be pretty supernatural if it did.

If you want happiness/fulfillment, I would suggest just enjoying your time here on earth. If you want to change the world, I'd agree with the monk. Try and be a good person. Spread the love. Figure out your passions (this may take a while). Pursue them in accordance with morality.

Wish I could say more but this one will take a while to think about. :)