“Everything – a horse, a vine – is created for some duty…For what task, then, were you yourself created? A man’s (or woman’s) true delight is to do the things he was made for.” –Marcus Aureliust

‘What is the purpose of life?’ is that BIG question that send us all in a tizzy. We think it’s a profound question but really it’s a simple one. It’s as simple as ‘What is the purpose of a hammer?’ Well, the purpose of a hammer is to bang a nail. We can do other things with it, but the fundamental purpose of a hammer is to bang a nail.

Our creator would not make such an important understanding as mysterious as history has made the question: What is the purpose of life? The answer to this question must be simple and easily understood by all. It is not and should not be a cosmic mystery only to be understood by the ‘enlightened.’ I can’t imagine the creator saying, “I have created you to go to Earth to do something. I won’t tell you what and I wont tell you how.”

Our attempts at answering this seemingly perplexing question often result in profound statements such as to serve God, to glorify God, to love, to be happy, to find meaning and a host of other statements that might sound good but still leaves you without the answer. Actually, it may leave you with another question, how? How do we glorify God? How do we love? How do we find happiness? How do I find meaning in life?

Well, here it is as echoed by many writers and thinkers who have taken the time to see what has been right before their noses. The fundamental purpose of the human life is to serve each other. It is all we have ever done and all we will ever do. Understanding of this truth is not required. We have no choice in this matter because to live is to serve. Service is a duty that is not optional. Here is the beautiful thing; when we serve each other, we serve God. When we serve each other, we find happiness. When we serve each other, we love. When we serve each other, we find meaning.

So here is the question that serves (pardon the pun) as our life’s quest: How do I serve? That is the BIGGER question and the intention of asking the question “What is the purpose of life?” In other words, “What are the unique gifts, talents, and abilities with which I was born to serve mankind? Only you can answer that one. You may get guidance from others (their service to you), but the answers are within you.

So what is the purpose of (your) life? A powerful question to start the new decade.

Pass it on.

Nothing is permanent…no relationship, no circumstance, no pain, no joy. Many of our struggles in this life come from trying to make the impermanent permanent.

Pass it on.

Excess creates lack.

You have everything you need to be living; otherwise, you wouldn’t be.

Gratitude is a state that prepares the universe to receive you and all that you desire. Gratitude is thankfulness and appreciation for your blessings great and small. Gratitude is the foundation of abundance.

Charity is an essential part of the human experience, but service to others is the lubricant of life.

Build the self righteously, and all that it creates will be righteous.

There is no greater form of confidence than to live in truth.

Talking about God and doing God are two different experiences. It is easy to postulate about the magnificence and virtues of living a life exemplary to God, but very few actually live that way. Do God in your thoughts and deeds and save the talk for others—that’s integrity.

There is no such thing as personal integrity or professional integrity. Integrity is. Either you have it or you don’t.