Let's get Philosophical, Philosophical!

Hi all. Anni-stotle here. In class yesterday we were talking about philosophies. As a health educator, we have to create our own personal philosophy. I'm already nervous to write mine but instead, my teacher asked us to participate in a quick in-class discussion. She wanted us to quickly write down our initial thoughts to the end of this phrase: "The purpose of life is to..."


I'm sorry...what? I've never thought about how to answer this on such short notice...or ever. Asking me to write down the first thing that comes to mind is dangerous. Eat chocolate! Oh no...that can't be, but what if it was the first thing that came to mind? I knew it would have to be something good. This life is great, therefore, the purpose must match up. But really, what could the purpose of life be? I didn't have enough time to think it through. What about being happy? Nah...not enough sustenance for me. What about helping others? Sure, but how...and why? I thought to myself there could be a variety of words that are purposeful: love, health, happiness, gratefulness, learning, serving, etc....Nothing sat right with me. One of my friends essentially said she didn't think there was a purpose of life. She backed it up well and said that maybe there is but she hasn't found it. We live, but then we all die. So...the purpose of life is to be determined. I was glad she said that. I enjoy when people say the unexpected. My initial response was "...live happily and healthfully, surrounded by the ones you love." Okay, I agree (with myself, ha!) but I wasn't satisfied. Sure, it sounds like a good purpose. What's so wrong with that? It just wasn't what I wanted to put down in words. Have you ever given this question thought? Do we know what the purpose of life is while we're living? That seems like some deep, heavy stuff for us to be carrying around in our brains. Are we sure we have that kind of capacity? Do we discover the purpose of life through a specific experience that causes us to realize why we're really here? I don't know the answers to these questions. I don't expect to ever know them. I'm sort of alright with that, too. What if I discovered the purpose of life and was not pleased with all it was? What if I discovered the purpose of life and was so overwhelmed with the beauty of it? So this is what I'm telling you. I don't know the purpose of life. I know my purpose is different from yours and I love that uniqueness. I know that we're all here for a short while trying to find this purpose or make ourselves have a purpose. I know that this life is beautiful. I know that this life has its sad moments. I know that we stumble and we get back up. I know that we learn and grow from one another. I know that we laugh and we cry. I know that we smile at strangers and they smile back. I know that we need to enjoy this life while it lasts. I know the purpose is out there...but instead of finding it, live it.

            Best, 

                   Anne