Everything else in the world is temporary.
Change as always been said is the only thing that is constant.
Therefore, how do you set a purpose or will that purpose change in time?
First, purpose is define as one's mission in life. Natural science dictates that the basic goal of a human being to reproduce that is why aside from his sex organ one is also given good looks and sex appeal. But all animals even trees down to the tiniest microbe has this purpose. If our purpose is limited to the same purpose as one single micro organism where is the essence to that. If we will stop with our purpose being compared to a microbe. Perhaps this is one of the reason why in the Philippines I see a lot of people spreading like disease in the metro even if they can't feed or educate their offspring. The ratio of poor people not being able to help in nation building is getting bigger as the politicians in the country still fight against a simple reproductive health bill. Anyway, the point is that if reproduction is the only purpose in life then perhaps I will just hit on every woman I know regardless of social class or physical attributes and be the best donor of gene and make my ancestors DNA spread like fire all over the world. Probably that would be exciting or at some point intoxicating. Like being a Revilla of my own making or probably a King Solomon of modern times. But sadly, no matter how tempting that purpose maybe I refuse to allocate energy with such activity.
How about serving God? I have read the Purpose Driven Life and somehow it reminds me of the "Greatest Salesman in World" book written by Og Mandino. Both of these books I didn't finished since I have to read only 1 chapters a day and during that time I don't have that kind of discipline and I find it somewhat boring. I guess serving God bring out the spiritual part of man. It gives man, as existentialist puts it, a deeper meaning. Now, this is a purpose that can't be compared to other trees and animals. I have yet to see a dog pray the rosary or the trees bow down and proclaim praises. I guess religion, "religare" in Greek, somehow really create that relationship between God and human. Everything seems to have meaning because of God. I'll try to avoid the discussion of religion since it is like the Law of Gravity. It is somethings that can't be challenged worst mocked. I'll just accept it simply as this fact, "all people regardless of race and color believe in something". Whether Buddha, Mohammad, Christ or that pastor always shouting in singing in Davao. The fact is it is human nature to desire to believe in something so let us leave it at that.
How about nation building. To be an inspiration to other people. To help build communities and develop one's economy. Is this a purpose worth contributing into. Is it possible that every man have that inner desire to help build a nation and it just takes a spark of anger or a sigh of inspiration to make each person start. Is it possible that regardless of our intent, whether it is money or social status, it is possible for men to find in himself that desire to establish nation. If your purpose in life is to be a Hero, will you accept it? Or you will just laugh it all out and ridicule that idea. But somehow, the world need heroes, not like what Marvel or DC offers. You don't need to be an Avenger or an X-Men to do good. I believe that each one have that inner desire a sort of messianic complex wanting to save someone or help out. Perhaps this is easily made visible through religion but what if it can be expressed in nature preservation or economic development, would that be a purpose worth pursuing.
Money. They say money controls the world. If the purpose of individuals is to be rich will that be awesome. If some nerdy looking fellow happen to create the new Facebook or a talkative individual with no real social connection happen to create the new Twitter and accumulate a lot of money would that be a very good purpose? Perhaps.
So what is my real purpose in life? To reproduce? To serve God? To build nation? or am I a slave to Money and all things it can buy. My philosophy professor used to taught us that a person is becoming. This implies that who you are now is a different person that who you are before. You can only be judge when you are already dead. This mean that as long as you can breathe then each day you are given the chance to change whatever you want to do in life be it good or bad.
I remember a story when I was young. A villain was asked by the heroes to help them. The villain refused and somehow I feel for the villain. He remarked, "my purpose in life is to destroy China, if I help you, it is as if I killed myself." I am so much fascinated with that person's vision destroying China but what intrigues me most is the fact that even if he is going to lose that battle he never let go of his purpose.
The truth is, there is no "real" purpose or rather "purpose" is relative to time. Your purpose may change as you age. The only thing that remain are the memories of each little decision you made in your life with respect to your purpose. My point is, live each day as if it was your last. Find your purpose each day but be grounded by the values you have in life. Your values is what will guide you so you will never get lose in fulfilling your purpose in life. Whatever it is, even if it means having the most number of babies you can create with your wand, as long as this is what your values call you to do then.... whatever, it is alright. You can reproduce even you are poor and you don't have money for your children. It is ok since the government of the Philippines haven't decided yet with the reproductive bill and even the church supports that you reproduce, the green light is on.
If you are a foreigner reading this, its really funny how Filipino politicians debate on certain bills. Really hilarious even one politician had to plagiarize during his speeches about the controversial bill. Sadly, our political maturity in the Philippines haven't mature that much. But with the Aquino administration driving the helm of the country, I'm sure we will soon get to our destination as one of the most powerful country in the world.
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