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I often hear the term "life purpose" thrown around, particularly as it pertains to the whole self-development and New Age woo-woo industry.

I suppose it is a valid question — to some degree — because it seemingly addresses the issue of how we might find at least a measure of contentment in whatever it is we work with.

But what is this thing, really?

And is it even a thing, or just a clever way for those who are drifting aimlessly through life to make it sound like they are really working towards something?

Personally, I first encountered the term at a retreat in the early 00s... where one of the attendees — with whom I subsequently became friends — was a "Life Purpose Coach."

At the time I met her, I had not given much thought to having an actual purpose in life. I never had "a career" and had never much worried about having one... I definitely worked, but it was all pretty random and arbitrary, and largely outside the realm of "purpose," at least beyond the purpose of paying bills.

If I had to summarize my mindset (at the time) it might have been that my life purpose was to live in a measure of peace where I didn't have to worry excessively about being able to pay my bills.

You could even argue that I was "living without a purpose."

This somewhat horrified my new friend who soon discovered that she had met someone with very little ambition.

Or maybe that's not exactly true... what she discovered was that anything I felt that might be related to finding purpose and meaning was purely intangible, rather than material in nature.

There has never been a time in my life when owning a mansion in a swank neighborhood, driving a luxury car or vacationing at swank resorts in Bora Bora held even a passing interest for me. I also never cared — still don't — about whether the world would build monuments to my brilliance, work diligence or accomplishments.

I just wanted to be happy, and at peace, and to have nice friends.

But these are not "things" that hold value in highly material society... precisely because they are neither tangible nor measurable.

It was something I remembered well from my University days — business school — where all ambition and goal setting was purely material.

I guess I should have gotten a liberal arts or humanities degree, instead...

I did spend a number of years pondering the whole life purpose issue, and always ended up back at feeling like I had a "purpose" when I felt happy, and others around me felt happy. The closest I have found myself to an activity making me feel happy has always been writing and working my art.

Which, of course, isn't great for things like paying electric bills and taxes!

But here's the thing: I'm really OK with not having a specified Life Purpose, just like I am OK with not everything having meaning.

And I'm OK with living in the state of "not knowing."

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great remainder of your week!

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Created at 2025.10.07 23:21 PST
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