Story the purpose of life

[Life_and_Death]

ill be honest ive been thinking about this for a few days ever since i realized the answer. and i wanted to share it here because even if it helps only 1 person out of the almost 15 000 on this site and the other god knows how many that dont have an account, then i did something good. but i was scared to share it because i could just see all the negativity that could possibly come from, what to most would view as an open ended question. but i dont care. if you dont agree, then thats you. everyone has their own opinions. but any negative comments will be removed. if you have nothing nice to say then dont say anything at all. but for the one person i might help, im going to share my thoughts on this topic.

it seems to me that most see the answer to the question "what is the purpose of life" as a magical answer. an answer to literally everything. to some, this question is a matter of life and death. but i personally feel the answer isnt what most perceive it to be. we can start with this question, why must humans be the only ones with a purpose? what about all the other species that are here as well? they live life. they eat, they sleep, the reproduce and they die. so why must we be any different? because we have the capability to be. i think the purpose of life, is to just be nice to each other. im sure all of us here knows and understands the hurt one can cause, so why not spend your days being nice? make those that are hurt and lost feel loved and wanted. give someone a compliment, volunteer some where, help out a local food bank or animal shelter.

which brings us to another part. i know some of you dont understand why you should be nice. it gets throw back in your face, you end up getting used, you were hurt so why should you help others. this is where you have to choose wisely. if you want to help someone thats awesome, but you also have to be able to put your foot down if necessary and say "NO! i will not be used." if you help those that truly want to be helped then they will be grateful. it wont be tomorrow, it wont be next year, it probably wont even be 100 years from now. but by helping one person you cause a chain reaction. you showed someone that there is kindness in the world and all you can ask for in return is that they help someone else in need, even if thats just giving them a compliment. it might be just words to you but that second you took to say them could mean everything to the person you say them to. you teach your children to not judge, to be nice to others, help them out when they can, this world could be a better place. yes there are mean people and there most likely always will be, but if you just sit there and let them be mean, then they will rule and more and more people will get hurt. just a few words could save someones life. that meal you donated saved someone from starving. i guess what im trying to say is the dominoes cant fall, unless you push the first one over. you really do have to be the change you want to see in the world.

i cant speak for any of you but i know if i end my day by making just one person smile, i know i did something right and it makes me feel like i have a purpose. i made them smile, i did that. its not the act of kindness that makes me happy, its the appreciation i get from it. just remember like i said, you have to choose wisely though.

 

[Deleted member 19276]

This actually made me quite emotional for some reason. Mainly because a large part of me at this point agrees with the same thing, when it comes to having a certain purpose on what a person could do if they are feeling lost.
Overall, I like the general points you brought up and I really also like how you mentioned that a person should not be allowed to the point where they are "using you".
Kindness... It can still achieve a lot, just like what you said and I wish the entire World can be like that at times. Just that, there are still cruel people out there I guess.
Seriously, if I had a printer, I would have placed that in my files folder, just because it feels all so true and it's very honestly written, along with the points it makes.
It's strange at times how... I thought that coming here to SS may finally motivate me to end my life, but ironically for me, it made me live more.
Or at least want to.
Thank you for taking the time to write and express this! This deserves many more views to be honest.
I can't make a 100% promise, but I would like to say that... Whenever there is help needed, even if it's from you, I will do my best. In the end, it may be the only thing that keeps me to sanity after all.

 

[Infinite Conscious]

i think the purpose of life, is to just be nice to each other.

but by helping one person you cause a chain reaction. you showed someone that there is kindness in the world and all you can ask for in return is that they help someone else in need, even if thats just giving them a compliment. it might be just words to you but that second you took to say them could mean everything to the person you say them to.

you really do have to be the change you want to see in the world.

Very nicely said.
"What's the purpose of life" and "why are we here" are questions that all of us ask (ourselves) at some point.

The purpose of life is - the life of purpose.
Which means living for some higher goal, which in turn could "just" be helping others.
Transform our selfish urges into altruistic deeds.

And only when we focus on the wellbeing of others - shall our existence have a purpose, and our hearts be fulfilled.

Infinite love is the only truth, everything else is an illusion.
We are all ONE, parts of an infinite consciousness which revisits this "playground" with the goal of our souls maturing and evolving, learning through emotions like love and pain/suffering.

And the chain reaction, or the "butterfly effect", is very true and effective.
A single act of kindness may make all the difference, causing a wave of positive energy spreading around... and it costs us nothing.

Be kind to everyone, for everybody lives his own misery, is equally insecure, and craves for a little kindness and acceptance.

 

[Deleted member 1465]

Every action has a consequence and every consequence provokes a reaction.

 

[TheQ22]

I think your idea of the purpose of life is being nice to each other - is looking at it from a purely human perspective.

When you look at the rest of life on the planet it's pretty much kill or be killed, survive yourself at all costs to the detriment of everything else.

I think the purpose of life is simply to survive long enough to pass on your genes so the species survives.

Eventually (since 99.9% of all species that have ever existed are now extinct) there will be 1 being left - not 1 species but 1 being, and that will be the perfect evolved being that this planet could produce.

The computer called earth will then have run it's program, finished it's calculation, and then will shut down when the last remaining living thing dies.

 

[Life_and_Death]

I think your idea of the purpose of life is being nice to each other - is looking at it from a purely human perspective.

When you look at the rest of life on the planet it's pretty much kill or be killed, survive yourself at all costs to the detriment of everything else.

I think the purpose of life is simply to survive long enough to pass on your genes so the species survives.

Eventually (since 99.9% of all species that have ever existed are now extinct) there will be 1 being left - not 1 species but 1 being, and that will be the perfect evolved being that this planet could produce.

The computer called earth will then have run it's program, finished it's calculation, and then will shut down when the last remaining living thing dies.

Just "surviving" isn't much of a "purpose" and I wouldn't say it's "kill or be killed" other species have been know to save humans and other animals from death. And the reason most of the species are extinct are because humans killed them also an ecosystem can't work with a "perfect evolved being".

this "purpose" is just going to kill off the planet. And isn't really a purpose at all but a very narrowminded human thought. Oh and even if the purpose is to "just survive" I dont think it would kill you to be nice to others.

 

[DeadButDreaming]

I agree with TheQ22: it's to pass on our genes.

Being kind to others might give us a temporary dopamine high, but, as with drugs, our charitable acts will have to grow in scale to get the same kick. After a while you won't have access to all the resources you'll need to get the dopamine rush.

 

[timf]

Purpose implies intent. If evolution is true, then "dog eat dog" might be justified. However, it does little to make life happy. If one observes that being nice makes life better, it might point to the hand of a creator who had that purpose in mind.

If one sees only a biological imperative to reproduce driving life, one may not embrace components of life that transcend the material. Similarly if one see chemical sensation as the limiting scope of human experience, it might contribute to a more consumptive approach to life.

For those who seek or even hunger for what might be called "spiritual" aspects of life, these will probably not be found in the material aspects of life. There are many paths in life that pertain to these issues. The Stoic might find satisfaction in virtue. The Buddhist nirvana in meditation, the Christian, growing in wisdom and truth.

Whatever path one chooses, it is important not to suppress what the heart is seeking.

 

[eternalflame]

Try searching

The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? by Rick Warren - Audiobook Full Length on youtube. Also try buddhist quotes on google. WIsh you happiness.