Purpose. 

Have you ever wondered why you were put on this Earth? Was there a reason for your existence? These questions may have crossed your mind at one point or another. Some people have even gone so far as writing books about purpose (or even blog posts). So, what is it about purpose, anyway?

“Big word, Mr. Montenegro,” as our protagonist Laida Magtalas would say. Purpose is definitely a big word. I was sent a message the other day saying that animals know their purpose – they forage, hunt, and reproduce – yet humans spend their lives searching for their reason for being.

While the challenge is a big one, finding purpose shouldn’t put too much pressure on you. Don’t worry if you don’t know what it is yet. A lot of people go through their whole lives without stating what their purpose is, and that’s totally fine.

Value > Purpose

Whether or not you figure out what your purpose is in life, it might be good to ask yourself what you value.

What is important for you? What can’t you live without? Those are questions that need to be answered first. When we think about what’s important in our lives, it tells us the non-negotiables.

Imagine a life without purpose but you get to do what you value. It isn’t a bad way to live. If you like playing musical instruments, gardening, reading, or any other hobby, and you’re able to do that while also sustaining yourself. The thing is, you don’t necessarily need to know your purpose to enjoy life. 

If I were to guess, life purpose falls under the top part of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. It’s not necessary for survival, but it definitely contributes to your well-being.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

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I have the privilege of working with people who are looking for their life values and purpose. This process isn’t just about self-discovery but also for peace of mind. When we figure out what’s important in life, purpose is not necessarily part of it. As long as we find something that warms the heart without hurting anyone else, we’re in a more positive place than where we started.

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