Opinion | What inspires you?
This piece attempts to provide a new perspective on how we should approach life. My end goal is to provide a new insight which could help you put things into perspective and guide your everyday routine in alignment with your goals. Unsplash.
By Mauricio Luna, sophomore double business administration and economics double major
You may have wondered before — why was I placed on this Earth? What is my purpose? Each of the eight billion people on the planet has their own unique personality and identity, shaped by their culture, experiences and challenges, but this question persists among all people.
Through life's journey, we continuously work on developing the type of person we aspire to be. There is no greater fulfillment than pursuing a journey that not only changes us, but also helps us grow from the challenges we encounter. Many people struggle to find a defined purpose in life.
To better understand this issue, it's worth considering the quote by Blaise Pascal: “All men’s miseries derive from not being able to sit in a quiet room alone.” This quote highlights our innate desire as humans to seek out experiences, conversations, ambitions and adventures. Moreover, it also sheds light on the idea that we are not used to being alone with our own thoughts.
It's a fundamental truth that our unhappiness stems from not finding contentment in what we already have, and the boredom that comes with sitting alone in a quiet room is a common experience for all people. Boredom is the primary catalyst that leads us to seek out new experiences, which can range from the simple pleasure of turning on the TV to embarking on a life-changing venture.
As Pascal’s quote suggests, it's important to be mindful and self-aware of how we're directing our lives (and our attention for that matter), and to critically evaluate our decisions. Boredom is a subjective and elusive experience that science still struggles to fully understand. Throughout our lives, we are given tasks and activities to keep us occupied and prevent boredom — or at least provide a more structured life.
Growing up, you attend preschool, go to school and then college, each time being exposed to new experiences and opportunities to find your passions and to eradicate your boredom. As an adult, you work to achieve financial stability. Yet again, providing an activity to do and following the common theme of seeking new experiences to distract ourselves.
Something that helps put our overall existence into perspective is the animal kingdom. You may recall from documentaries or movies the big migration of wildebeests. Every year, millions of wildebeests migrate through the Serengeti Plains in search of seasonal rains, and they are constantly moving in search of food. They have their own purpose: search for food, care for their offspring, adapt to their environment and ultimately, die.
Life is cyclical. It has a beginning and an end, and it's up to us to make the most of the journey in between. Humans have a distinct advantage over other creatures in the animal kingdom. We have the ability to reason. This has allowed us to create a society with diverse fields of interest, making it highly unlikely for people to not find their niche.
It's often said that if you follow your passion, you'll never feel like you're working. Finding your passion requires taking the time to discover yourself and learn new things, which in turn can lead to even more areas of interest. Continuous learning is the only way to truly discover ourselves and have a clearer idea on what we like.
One thing worth pointing out is that everyone has a unique way of approaching life, and our purpose is very different from those around us.
Your life’s purpose could be raising your kids to the best of your abilities as a stay-at-home dad or mom. If you obtain happiness from doing so, by all means, keep doing it. The important thing is to be dynamic and keep searching for growth. Read books about the best way of raising your kids, attend seminars for parents, be present in your child’s activities, learn from your child and your own experience, seek counsel from your parents, but always seek to be better in alignment with your purpose.
Ultimately, our purpose is defined by continuous learning. Without growth and learning, we fall into boredom, and boredom invites mediocrity.