ROBERT J.R. GRAHAM: Have You Figured It Out Yet?

Figured It Out Yet?

by: Scott F Paradis

It has been said of our human endeavor, “We are born wet, naked, and hungry. Then things get worse.” At times we hear the lament, “Life is like a beautiful melody, only the lyrics are messed up.” Or you might relate to this characterization of being, “The great business of life is to be, to do, to do without, and to depart.” All in all, hardly an endorsement of the venture – rather more like an indictment of the trial.

Well, what is the meaning of life? What is your purpose for being? Have you figured it out yet?

For some, life is brief in time; for others life is brief in exploit. For those doubly cursed life is brief in both. For a few daring souls however, life is a magnificent adventure – an opportunity to achieve, an opportunity to connect, an opportunity to be and become.

If only we all could embrace the opportunity – to promote laughter instead of tears, encourage growth instead of stagnation, pursue fulfillment instead of comfort, bestow the treasure of priceless gifts and unique personal talents and in return receive the support of others sharing theirs. For the essence of the human endeavor is to relate and to create. Joy is the by-product of these pursuits – the rightful attempt to achieve our missions in life together.

We are social creatures on a journey of discovery. We relate to this environment. We relate to other people. We relate to circumstances. All we encounter we process from the limitations of our physical ability to engage, our intellectual capacity to interpret, and our penchant to a observe from a given perspective.

While you process all you encounter seek to contribute to the weave – the tapestry of the endeavor – the grist of the tale. Seek to leave a creative mark – a legacy to your having passed this way. Relate to what is and create what you come to believe can be.

Imagination is your guide to fashion something new out of the circumstances you unearth and the drama (comedy, tragedy, love story) you become party to. Relate and create as a matter of course – as the purpose for your being.

Distinguished another way: life is a quest – a mission – a mission revealed in its living. For some the mission is explicit and defined. For others the mission is imprecise and ill-defined – ripe for interpretation. In attempting your mission you might embark on the occasional off-road excursion into uncharted territory – yet the quest carries on. Relate to what is and build your contribution.

Relating is your reward, creating is your donation.

You have a note to sing to make the melody sweet. You have a chapter to write to complete the story. Your time is not lost, nor your efforts advanced in vain. The purpose of life is as simple as this: relate to what you encounter and create what the world lacks.

If you do the part prescribed precisely for you – you will live a full and fulfilling life relating and creating.

For a sweeping sentiment the Cherokee might have expressed it best: “When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.”

Understand, your purpose in life is to relate and to create. Get busy, opportunities are unlimited but your time is not.

Figured it out yet?

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