What's The Point

We are all on this journey and it is easy to question every thought, experience, and decision. Almost morbidly we consider and reconsider every act of our lives. It is so easy to wonder, what's the point? Are we ever going to graduate? Get some award for life? The truth is we just exist in this vast universe and we're all trying to figure it out. We're trying to enjoy the ride. We’re taking the good with the bad and trying to live the best life we can, since none of us really knows what comes next, if anything.

Those who believe in spirituality believe this journey is the start of another better, more enjoyable one. What if this is truly it? And we're spending all our energy fighting. From the very beginning we are competing. From the sperm and the egg, school yard games, spelling contests, sports, prom queen, college exams, first in our class, fighting for the job, to get married and have kids.

The day to day competition for success is all consuming! The things we value most are what we look like, how many friends we have, how much money we have and what our status is. It's all a little exhausting isn't it? What is real and what are simply just limitations and boxes we place ourselves in. We have these rigid expectations for what our lives are supposed to look like, where we "should" be, and where we're going. And with all that, we kind of miss the point.

The point is to love, to have compassion, to uplift and inspire, to bring joy, and to love.

Where is the love? Is it when we're driving in our cars on the highway cutting one another off and becoming angry that the car in front of us is not moving fast enough for us. Or is it in the elevator when no one speaks, and the awkwardness is stifling. Is it in the homeless person begging for money and people look at him with distaste. It is definitely not in the elderly person crossing the street in fear because people won't give them the respect of stopping to let them walk at their pace. So where is it?

I find it in the simplest of places, when people slow down and connect with one another. Letting someone cross the street, lending a helping hand with carrying bags or luggage, holding the door open or the elevator. Simple things that we often are too “busy” rushing to our next appointment to even think about doing. Calling a friend to just check in and ask how their day is. Taking a Saturday to volunteer to help others instead of always doing what you feel like. Finding what makes us feel passionate and worthwhile. Doing good to others. These are the things that spread love and joy. We need more of these.

We're all so busy fighting that we are missing the point. To love, to respect, to have compassion, to live in the moment, and to enjoy each other, these are the true reasons for life. We're so busy "getting there" that we're missing the now. Where is this there anyway? What is it all for? To never be content and live in the constant next moment, day off, vacation. How about saying no to the boxes for our lives and making our lives something we love living. Saying no to the expectations or limitations and just doing what feels naturally and true. I'm tired of fighting. Of trying to be something I'm not. What’s true for me and what's true for you is different, and surely we can all do what we desire and I doubt the world will crumble. Maybe instead of stifling our desires we can use them to be something worthwhile. As Howard Thurman said “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

I want to come alive.