what has my purpose been?
this book i read back in college in college is stuck in my mind
It's about a road trip the author takes across continental United States, and discovers that in each state, meanings of life differ. E.g. in Washington, people are passionate about legislation and using law as a tool to cause real changes, in Vegas people are interested in fulfillment through entertainment and money, ...
you get the idea, this book considers that people in various states have different motivations ... But I can't remember the books' title except I read it between 2007 to 2012
The main gist of the book stayed strongly with me though; and it resonated strongly again in a comic I was reading about heaven and hell.
What is our purpose in life?
While a kid, my purpose was to grow; physically, mentally, and in the grace and knowledge of God and men. When i reached 18, and served in the Singapore Armed Forces as a Bionix vehicle commander, my purpose was to finish my time serving the country, train well and move on the college.
While in college, I experienced as much as college had to offer (while staying safe and out of trouble), and sometimes it was too much and I had to say no to clubs and activities I had an interest in. I had to focus on my task at hand to study, graduate and take the steps needed for my next phase.
After graduating, I found a job and my purpose became to make money, find a girl, get married, settle down and raise kids (in that order). I learnt work life balance, and the importance of sleep.
But in doing so, I feel like my purpose has shifted away through my actions lately. I recognize my rapid spiral into being a workaholic, my need for entertainment and my cravings for luscious heavy calorie carbohydrates. Especially the crunch, salt and oil of potato chips (or crisps, if you're British).
Where then did my passion and desire to help make a better world go?
Did I grow up and become more sensible, (and by deduction) less idealistic? Have I become more materialistic, (and by induction) more realisitc? When did wealth, entertainment and other measures of personal success take such a priority that I have not kept up with friends once close, and family still precious.
The solution, obvious.
But the willpower to change appears oblivious.
and this one, appears
completely clueless.
How can a man change his habits, lest his addiction to overtime (or rather over time pay), consumes his life time, his health,.. and finally in a bid to reclaim his health; his wealth.
The underlying root cause is perhaps my presumptuousness, that I can use my intellect to figure anything out, that my willpower will help me overcome all; forgetting that it is by grace I am saved.
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
What can I do to refocus my purpose. The praise and glory of the Almighty by being a testimony.
http://www.pewforum.org/2010/09/28/u-s-religious-knowledge-survey/
1) re-inform. I think ignorance comes of lack of knowledge, and busyness of life. I will learn more by reading
2) meditate with a purpose. I think I need to calm my heart, and let my soul be filled by something other than entertainment and work. what's that old phrase... garbage in, garbage out
3) spend more time with friends who will tell me when I am going astray.
That said, I have been thinking much of what has become my god. What does the world prize most?
As a male, needs/wants/desires might be distilled down to a few points.
1) Lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh;
food and eye candy satisfy similar cravings in the brain regions.
if a problem, one should probably get married. preferably to a good cook.
2) Power.
The ability to order, control and manipulate.
This could also be related to money as money = power in this day and age.
Also to get food and eye candy. And beer.
3) Someone to relate to. A mentor, partner or even just an acquaintance.
Being married, I found this important that I made an attempt to relate to my wife.
Some days it is a herculean effort. Some days not so much. Either way, a wise man does not piss off his wife.
For females, I assume the order of needs is a little different.
1) Someone to relate to. A close friend to confide in.
Usually by talking. Or by listening. Either way, communication seems vital.
I can (and have) enjoy working with some guys who hardly say more than 2 words to me through a 12 hour shift and we get along great, but I've found it helps to have at least a 15 minute conversation when working with a female colleague.
2) The desire to be motherly
Maybe it is just my perspective, because I can get kawaii (cute), especially on my not so chubby phases when I do hit the gym. Also, female colleagues are way better at bringing snacks to share at work.
3) The need for food, friends and family.
However, the more I think about these ranked needs, I realize that everyone has different priorities based on age, race, gender and background that influenced you.
Friends who feel the best thing they can do for their country is to serve the military join the marines or national guards (or air force, if they can), to serve the public good some go into law and politics, some who want to water the next generation of young minds, teach, and others who just need to buy food and pay off student loans just get a job that would pay what they can live on.
These needs can direct our life's purpose, and vice verse, our life's purpose can guide us to how we fulfill our needs.
But all needs and desires can be tempered with good or bad.
1) In appearance, one can be well groomed, or just as easily be dressed seductively.
2) In power, one can be benevolent, make informed choices, or manipulative and abuse power, spiraling downward in being backstabbing and engaging in office politics as a means of stepping higher.
3) The need to be relate also drives both males and females for good, to build a family, to support sports, but is just as easily abused in one night stands, extra marital affairs and divorces
4) The need for food. Perhaps one of our strongest, but also a weakness in our high caloerie diet in the mid west. This has led to obesity, from feeling hunger pangs just 2 hrs after every meal. I observe, and do often snack during breaks, especially through a 12 hour shift. Which reminds me, I have to find more high fiber foods which will last longer before I am hungry again.
5) Beer. I list this somewhat
Until next time. Cheers.
It's about a road trip the author takes across continental United States, and discovers that in each state, meanings of life differ. E.g. in Washington, people are passionate about legislation and using law as a tool to cause real changes, in Vegas people are interested in fulfillment through entertainment and money, ...
you get the idea, this book considers that people in various states have different motivations ... But I can't remember the books' title except I read it between 2007 to 2012
The main gist of the book stayed strongly with me though; and it resonated strongly again in a comic I was reading about heaven and hell.
What is our purpose in life?
While a kid, my purpose was to grow; physically, mentally, and in the grace and knowledge of God and men. When i reached 18, and served in the Singapore Armed Forces as a Bionix vehicle commander, my purpose was to finish my time serving the country, train well and move on the college.
While in college, I experienced as much as college had to offer (while staying safe and out of trouble), and sometimes it was too much and I had to say no to clubs and activities I had an interest in. I had to focus on my task at hand to study, graduate and take the steps needed for my next phase.
After graduating, I found a job and my purpose became to make money, find a girl, get married, settle down and raise kids (in that order). I learnt work life balance, and the importance of sleep.
But in doing so, I feel like my purpose has shifted away through my actions lately. I recognize my rapid spiral into being a workaholic, my need for entertainment and my cravings for luscious heavy calorie carbohydrates. Especially the crunch, salt and oil of potato chips (or crisps, if you're British).
Where then did my passion and desire to help make a better world go?
Did I grow up and become more sensible, (and by deduction) less idealistic? Have I become more materialistic, (and by induction) more realisitc? When did wealth, entertainment and other measures of personal success take such a priority that I have not kept up with friends once close, and family still precious.
The solution, obvious.
But the willpower to change appears oblivious.
and this one, appears
completely clueless.
How can a man change his habits, lest his addiction to overtime (or rather over time pay), consumes his life time, his health,.. and finally in a bid to reclaim his health; his wealth.
The underlying root cause is perhaps my presumptuousness, that I can use my intellect to figure anything out, that my willpower will help me overcome all; forgetting that it is by grace I am saved.
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
What can I do to refocus my purpose. The praise and glory of the Almighty by being a testimony.
http://www.pewforum.org/2010/09/28/u-s-religious-knowledge-survey/
1) re-inform. I think ignorance comes of lack of knowledge, and busyness of life. I will learn more by reading
2) meditate with a purpose. I think I need to calm my heart, and let my soul be filled by something other than entertainment and work. what's that old phrase... garbage in, garbage out
3) spend more time with friends who will tell me when I am going astray.
That said, I have been thinking much of what has become my god. What does the world prize most?
As a male, needs/wants/desires might be distilled down to a few points.
1) Lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh;
food and eye candy satisfy similar cravings in the brain regions.
if a problem, one should probably get married. preferably to a good cook.
2) Power.
The ability to order, control and manipulate.
This could also be related to money as money = power in this day and age.
Also to get food and eye candy. And beer.
3) Someone to relate to. A mentor, partner or even just an acquaintance.
Being married, I found this important that I made an attempt to relate to my wife.
Some days it is a herculean effort. Some days not so much. Either way, a wise man does not piss off his wife.
For females, I assume the order of needs is a little different.
1) Someone to relate to. A close friend to confide in.
Usually by talking. Or by listening. Either way, communication seems vital.
I can (and have) enjoy working with some guys who hardly say more than 2 words to me through a 12 hour shift and we get along great, but I've found it helps to have at least a 15 minute conversation when working with a female colleague.
2) The desire to be motherly
Maybe it is just my perspective, because I can get kawaii (cute), especially on my not so chubby phases when I do hit the gym. Also, female colleagues are way better at bringing snacks to share at work.
3) The need for food, friends and family.
However, the more I think about these ranked needs, I realize that everyone has different priorities based on age, race, gender and background that influenced you.
Friends who feel the best thing they can do for their country is to serve the military join the marines or national guards (or air force, if they can), to serve the public good some go into law and politics, some who want to water the next generation of young minds, teach, and others who just need to buy food and pay off student loans just get a job that would pay what they can live on.
These needs can direct our life's purpose, and vice verse, our life's purpose can guide us to how we fulfill our needs.
But all needs and desires can be tempered with good or bad.
1) In appearance, one can be well groomed, or just as easily be dressed seductively.
2) In power, one can be benevolent, make informed choices, or manipulative and abuse power, spiraling downward in being backstabbing and engaging in office politics as a means of stepping higher.
3) The need to be relate also drives both males and females for good, to build a family, to support sports, but is just as easily abused in one night stands, extra marital affairs and divorces
4) The need for food. Perhaps one of our strongest, but also a weakness in our high caloerie diet in the mid west. This has led to obesity, from feeling hunger pangs just 2 hrs after every meal. I observe, and do often snack during breaks, especially through a 12 hour shift. Which reminds me, I have to find more high fiber foods which will last longer before I am hungry again.
5) Beer. I list this somewhat
Until next time. Cheers.
the book about traveling and life's purpose, i couldn't remember the name of it in this post, it is
ReplyDelete"Searching for God knows what" by Donald Miller