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To achieve success, to become successful – is this what everyone dreams of these days? The New York Times asked readers to submit short essays describing their purpose in life and how they found it. The results were amazing. Many of us do not dream of fame and success at all, but have found a goal in leading a “small” happy life. Here are some answers.
1. “We do not have to shine, all as one”
“The words of one person, whom the journalist asked to show the most expensive thing in his life, sunk into my soul. Excited and proud, he responded by taking out a battered pewter cauldron, which he kept carefully wrapped in a soft cloth, as if it were something fragile. A bewildered journalist asked him why a dull, shabby bowler hat was of the greatest value to him? “Because it carries a message,” he replied. “The message is that we don’t have to shine as one.”
His words helped me to free myself internally – there is no need to do something prestigious and important in life, for which I will reap praises and feel fulfilled. The meaning of life for me is different. I always wanted to be kind, naturally, effortlessly, like breathing. I wanted to raise children who would be kind. Perhaps the purpose of life is not that you have to have a purpose. All around us there are seemingly insignificant events that, if we look closely, give us an opportunity to show kindness and generosity. We grow spiritually and emotionally in such microscopic steps.”
Read more:
- What are “little pleasures” for?
2. “My goal is to remain human”
“I was one of those whose purpose in life is clearly defined and clear. My goal is to heal the sick and save lives. But in the end, I lost myself. Now I just want to be a person, a person. I can take your phone call and talk for thirty minutes because you are going through a difficult time. I can do it today and again in a few days, as long as it takes. I can listen to your complaints about a colleague. I can look you in the eye and give you a couple of dollars near the car park. I don’t get upset if you cry. I am no longer drowning in your grief, so I can help you resurface and support you until you find other people to help, or another way to float on. Helping others doesn’t skin me anymore, I don’t burn out. It’s easy for me to help.”
3. “Small decisions in life are more important than big ones”
“I have come to the conclusion that the so-called “big decisions” at the end have much less impact on our life as a whole than a billion small, seemingly unimportant decisions. I have always admired purposeful, persistent, successful, determined individuals. They turn dreams into reality, push the world forward, think and act big. But for myself, I always wanted to write the purpose of life in smaller print. And I’m happy with the way I live. I have an amazing wife, five children, close friends whom I met at school, in the army, college, friends-neighbors and the most wonderful thing in life – horses, dogs and cats. For forty years now I have run a small business and run it on a principle that I call “Christian capitalism.”
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- These families have their own traditions
4. “The consequences of our actions are often unpredictable and random.”
“I am 85 years old, and I feel the question of the meaning of life especially acutely. The Second World War and life in general taught me that the consequences of our actions or inactions are often completely unpredictable and random. I am grateful to be alive. I feel a responsibility to myself and others to live every day meaningfully. I enjoy being with my family (though not all of them) and a dwindling number of old friends. My garden helps me stay in the flow of life. Last winter was severe in our area, and many plants died, but, to my surprise, roses and clematis survived. They rose again, as did the greens, spinach and tomatoes in the new greenhouse. Cherry tree in front of the house under the weight of the years. I need to have time to plant a new tree this year.”
Of course, not everyone will agree with such a scale of goals – a “small” life is not for everyone. But there is something inexpressibly beautiful, durable, earthly and right about cultivating a small garden.
See more at newspapers.