Is purpose/meaning in your life necessary?

Ken-1122 said:

Do you suppose you would still have the drive to get things done after a trillion years worth of tomorrows in the same lifespan?

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If I'm designed to last that long in one lifespan, I’d
hopefully have the drive that goes with it. Unless
I was severely depressed, in which case drive can
diminish even after 20 years worth of tomorrows,
and the idea that we cease to exist after death
then becomes far more palatable. The concept of
eternal life (or reincarnation) would naturally be
distasteful in such a frame of mind.

The universe is so vast that I can’t possibly assume
that there’s nothing more worth seeing than what I
could cram into one puny little lifespan. How tragic;
so much left unexplored, given that even the
longest lifespan only scratches the surface of what
there is to experience and to see. Even if one lived a
hyper-alpha-cocaine-fueled-Type-A lifestyle to the
age of 110, he would still only have seen the very tip
of the iceberg in that regard.

As it is, the world would probably look a lot different
(i.e., a lot more panic in the streets) if people truly
adhered to the motto of living as though today was
their last day and there was no tomorrow.

Ken-1122 said:

So if I understand you correctly, if we assume you remain as you are, the idea of living eternally does not sound like a good idea; is this correct?

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It would depend on the individual, and who/what it is they’re
remaining as (though change seems to be the only constant,
so I’m not sure how far one will go with remaining a certain
way with no improvement ever).

Like I said, if someone is depressed, the idea that we live
forever might not sound like a very good idea.

I suppose it boils down to whether someone generally finds
existence appealing, or appalling.

RayJeena said:

Meh, I don't know. I've had 53 years worth of tomorrows
and got quite a lot done. And that's with believing that
this lifespan isn't the only one I'll ever have.
So I suppose it depends on the individual.

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Or more important perhaps, learning to be Yahuweh(God)-dependent.... (vs self dependent or independent). In this life and the next (for those who make it), He Provides EVERYTHING that's needed extravagantly generously and eternally. (not that most people ever trust Him or give or share or use everything as it should be used.)

Mtol117 said:

another phrase for purpose/meaning of your life is gods will for your life.

Did god call you to poverty? did he call you to live a humble and simple life? Did he or does have have plans to exalt you? Did he call you to live your life in the public eye like Usain Bolt or Lewis Hamilton? (who both professed their careers are from god) Did he call you to have great wealth like Solomon or Ng Chee Tat Philip?

your purpose for your life is gods will for your life, and we are all called to do something whether big medium or small

Corinthians 12:12
For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.

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Some 'little children' , some historians, some mature believers, have realized
what is seen in Scripture and in the early assemblies of Ekklesia what is called "voluntary poverty"(nothing like solitary nor a &m*nk& lifestyle no, not at all),
as in the great assembly in Acts when they spontaneously shared all things in common, calling nothing their own. The rich rejoiced in being 'brought down' (willingly and joyously), and the poor rejoiced in being lifted up (every need met daily without shame nor anxiety).

yeshuaslavejeff said:

Or more important perhaps, learning to be Yahuweh(God)-dependent.... (vs self dependent or independent). In this life and the next (for those who make it), He Provides EVERYTHING that's needed extravagantly generously and eternally. (not that most people ever trust Him or give or share or use everything as it should be used.)



Some 'little children' , some historians, some mature believers, have realized
what is seen in Scripture and in the early assemblies of Ekklesia what is called "voluntary poverty"(nothing like solitary nor a &m*nk& lifestyle no, not at all),
as in the great assembly in Acts when they spontaneously shared all things in common, calling nothing their own. The rich rejoiced in being 'brought down' (willingly and joyously), and the poor rejoiced in being lifted up (every need met daily without shame nor anxiety).

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Whatever works for you.

Mtol117 said:

another phrase for purpose/meaning of your life is gods will for your life.

Did god call you to poverty? did he call you to live a humble and simple life? Did he or does have have plans to exalt you? Did he call you to live your life in the public eye like Usain Bolt or Lewis Hamilton? (who both professed their careers are from god) Did he call you to have great wealth like Solomon or Ng Chee Tat Philip?

your purpose for your life is gods will for your life, and we are all called to do something whether big medium or small


Corinthians 12:12
For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.

Click to expand...

Ken-1122 said:

I’ve noticed a number of people who are successful in life who claim their wealth or success is a result of God’s will or help, but never have I heard of a person who is either failed or lives in extreme poverty; claim their failure or poverty is God’s will or where God wants them to be. Do you suppose some people just like to give God the credit when things go good, and refuse to blame God when things go bad?

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Voluntary poverty (from Scripture, NOT from nor like tradition at all),
is forgotten today in the midst of thousands of false teachings.

Ken-1122 said:

Consider the life of Joe. A typical day is getting up in the morning, taking a shower, going to work at a job he really doesn’t care about; but does it because he likes the pay. After 8 hours, he leaves work, goes to the gym, for an hour then goes home; sits in front of the TV, eat dinner and watch his favorite TV programs till its time to go to bed then everything starts all over again.

On weekends he may have dinner with his girl friend, perhaps see a movie, play darts or pool at the local bar with friends, instead of going to work, but everything else is pretty much the same; and Joe is perfectly happy doing this. Is there really meaning or a sense of purpose to Joe’s life? Does it really matter if he is happy following this routine? Is purpose/meaning in your life really necessary? Your thoughts?

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According to Maslows hierarchy of needs there are 8 levels of needs that people need to achieve to really reach their potential and feel fulfilled. This begins with basic physical needs like food and shelter, moving onto the need to feel safe, to be loved and belong, to have self esteem and to be respected, then there is cognitive needs of knowledge and meaning. Next is aesthetic needs where people can appreciate beauty in life, then there is self actualization where people seek personal growth and can reach their potential and last there is the transcendent need which is about values which are beyond self and the material.

https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html

If any of these needs are neglected then a person will suffer in one way or another. I think it is the higher needs like self actualization and transcendent needs that give meaning to life. At the moment we are seeing a big increase in mental illness especially with young people. Looks and material wealth is promoted as what can make a person happy but this is a false promise and many are being let down. It is easy for people to overlook the spiritual needs because people want to only trust what they can see but I believe our spiritual needs are just as important as the air we breath to be able to be completely happy and fulfilled.

Ken-1122 said:

Consider the life of Joe. A typical day is getting up in the morning, taking a shower, going to work at a job he really doesn’t care about; but does it because he likes the pay. After 8 hours, he leaves work, goes to the gym, for an hour then goes home; sits in front of the TV, eat dinner and watch his favorite TV programs till its time to go to bed then everything starts all over again.

On weekends he may have dinner with his girl friend, perhaps see a movie, play darts or pool at the local bar with friends, instead of going to work, but everything else is pretty much the same; and Joe is perfectly happy doing this. Is there really meaning or a sense of purpose to Joe’s life? Does it really matter if he is happy following this routine? Is purpose/meaning in your life really necessary? Your thoughts?

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People vary a lot I think. Some people find meaning in family relationships, some feel they ought to be doing something bigger and 'more important'. Some people do both. I don't think there's any universally important principle to be found in that.

my purpose now is to be a good mother, teach our child, model good behavior as a married couple and as an individual, etc

our child is kind to others even those unkind to her
whether I'm making a difference in her life am not always sure as it seems to me she may have been born this way

Tom Farebrother said:

People vary a lot I think. Some people find meaning in family relationships, some feel they ought to be doing something bigger and 'more important'. Some people do both. I don't think there's any universally important principle to be found in that.

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But certain ideals are pushed in some societies such as individualistic pursuits as opposed to collective ones. This will influence people and produce certain beliefs about what is important or not regarding meaning and happiness. But these ideals may be wrong and therefore people are being setup to fail as far as what gives life meaning and value.