“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
The search for purpose and the search for happiness are one in the same. As any of life’s questions, “What is my purpose in life?” can only be found by looking inward. By doing the things that give you joy, and by helping others, you can find meaning in life.
Practice altruism in your relationships. Instead of “what can I get?,” rewire your brain to “what can I give?” when dealing with others. From holding the door for others, to giving money to the less fortunate, you can make a difference with even the smallest of gestures. Charity doesn’t require that you establish a foundation or give large sums of money, however, any donation of time or money to organizations can be rewarding.
Money can help you to fund a meaning, but not find a meaning – it’s simply a means to an end. Are you allocating your time and money to help others? Are you comfortable with the causes you currently support? Take inventory of where you are spending your two most valuable assets, time and money and insure they align with your goals and ideals.
