Meanings and Purposes of Life change over time.

Change is the only constant thing in life. The ability to adjust quickly to every change determines how far one will go in life. Just like how we have different shoe sizes in the market, we have different purposes in life. You can go to the market to get a size 34 shoe but if the first one you see doesn't please you, you can either go for it or seek another.

By definition, life is the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death. Furthermore, it is the existence of an individual human being or animal. Others might say, life is simply the period between the birth and death of a living thing, especially a human being.

Amidst all the various definitions of life, the pertinent question remains, what is the meaning of life? Well, who truly knows? Personally, I don’t think there is a right or true answer to that question really. I just think this particular question just leaves with fewer answers and more questions. Kind of like going down a rabbit hole.

My best guess is, that the meaning of life, or the answer to the question: "What is the meaning of life?", relates to the importance of living or What life is all about?", or "What is the purpose of life?" Like I said earlier, fewer answers and more questions.

I may not know the meaning of life or the purpose of life but what I’m certain of is it all changes with time which brings me to my article for the day, Meanings and Purposes of Life change with time.

Before diving in, let’s understand this concept called time. What is time?

According to the internet, physicists define time as the progression of events from the past to the present into the future. Basically, if a system is changeless, it is timeless. Time can be deemed the fourth dimension of reality used to characterize events in three-dimensional space. At least it was the simplest, most comprehensive definition I could find.

The way I see it, time is like a serpent travelling only in one direction. Always forward, never backwards. Like, it travels only linearly progressing from the past and steadily into the future.

Now, how is it that the meaning of life and the purposes of life change with time?

I’ll like you to know that our life can be seen as a nautilus that adds new chambers to its shell as it grows and needs more space. Likewise, as people grow into various phases of life, their old chambers can feel compressed. They begin to ask what they can do to expand their space. 

To my understanding, life purpose consists of the central motivating and inspirational aims of your life, that is, the reason you get up in the morning. Purpose can guide life decisions, influence behaviour, shape goals, offer a sense of direction, and therefore, create meaning. Let’s not forget that all of these decisions, behaviours, goals, directions or meanings change over time. Time is the one constant.

We should make a habit of trying to find meaning and purpose in the life we lead. Although, it changes with time but it’s all part of growth and self-discovery. Some people feel reluctant about seeking their life purpose because they worry that it sounds like a self-serving or selfish quest. However, true purpose is about comprehending your gifts and using them to participate in the world—whether those gifts are playing a wonderful symphony for others to enjoy, helping colleagues solve problems, or simply bringing more joy into the lives of those around you.

Finally, I would like you to know that the secret to a fully alive life is to reframe our life questions over and over. As we do, at different stages of our lives, we find different questions and different possibilities.

Written by: Ada

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