Life Lessons

What is your purpose in life?

Man walking on seashore in stormy weather
Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash

The two paramount days of your life are the day you were born and the day you find out what your purpose is. Understanding your life’s purpose, then taking action to execute the kind of life you really want to live, can be a thought-provoking self-examination. Just like all business entities should have a valid purpose statement, each person must have a crystal-clear purpose in life. Finding your life purpose starts with uncovering what fascinates your heart and runs like a golden strand through your life. Having a clear idea of your life purpose keeps you inspired, attentive and competent to tap into a pond of energy or potency when you need to face confrontations and challenges.

A group of fifty people was attending a seminar. Suddenly the speaker stopped and gave each person a balloon. Each one was asked to write his/her name on it. Then all the balloons were collected and put in another room. Now these delegates were let in that room and asked to find the balloon which had their name written on it in five minutes. Everyone was frantically searching for their name, pushing, colliding with each other, and there was utter chaos. At the end of five minutes, no one could find their own balloon. Then each one was asked to randomly collect a balloon and give it to the person whose name was written on it. Within minutes everyone had their own balloon.

The speaker said: “This is exactly what happens in our lives. Everyone is frantically looking for happiness all around, not knowing where it is. Our happiness lies in the happiness of other people. Give them their happiness, you will get your own happiness. And this is the purpose of human life.”

Cover of the May 2023 issue of The Teenager Today featuring Nikhat Zareen, Saweety Boora, Lovlina Borgohain and Nitu Ghanghas.

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Shivanand Pandit, based in Goa, is a tax specialist, financial adviser, guest faculty and public speaker.

Shivanand Pandit

Shivanand Pandit, based in Goa, is a tax specialist, financial adviser, guest faculty and public speaker.