A colleague of mine shared a powerful quote a few days ago and I’d thought it would be important to share it with you:
Having a goal gives life purpose.
Reflecting on your journey gives meaning to life.
Wow!
These words carry a powerful truth within them and I cannot stop thinking about the importance of keeping this message in the forefront of my mind.
Do you have any thoughts on this that you would like to share?
conditional cognition 
I look at this quote from two perspectives:
In life in general, you can get nowhere unless you have a destination in mind. Just like going on a trip, you need a destination and a map; the journey of life needs a destination and map.
In my spiritual life, I also need a goal. My ultimate goal is to allow God to transform me into the image of His Son, Jesus. Reflecting on my spiritual journey does give meaning to life, because it helps me to see where I’ve been and how that has molded me into the person I am today and where I still need to be.
I believe so many people are miserable and depressed because they just wander aimlessly through life.
LikeLike
I like the map analogy. I’ve had those aimless phases in my life and didn’t realize it at the time, because I didn’t take the time to reflect on the journey. Actually, back then, I wasn’t even cognizant of the fact that I was on a journey. I now realize the importance of reflecting on the journey for various aspects of my life: spiritual, family, personal, professional.
LikeLike
Whenever I think about purpose, it always reminds me of a line from Matrix: Revolutions. It’s when Agent Smith talks to Neo before they begin their fight inside the children’s playground. Hope you don’t mind if I paste it here. =)
Agent Smith: But, as you well know, appearances can be deceiving, which brings me back to the reason why we’re here. We’re not here because we’re free. We’re here because we’re not free. There is no escaping reason; no denying purpose. Because as we both know, without purpose, we would not exist.
[Several Agent Smith Clones walk in]
Agent Smith Clone 1: It is purpose that created us.
Agent Smith Clone 2: Purpose that connects us.
Agent Smith Clone 3: Purpose that pulls us.
Agent Smith Clone 4: That guides us.
Agent Smith Clone 5: That drives us.
Agent Smith Clone 6: It is purpose that defines us.
Agent Smith Clone 7: Purpose that binds us.
Agent Smith: We are here because of you, Mr Anderson. We’re here to take from you what you tried to take from us.
[Attempts to copy himself into Neo]
Agent Smith: Purpose.
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing dialogue from this scene. I love the film and these words from Agent Smith and the clones clearly articulate the power of purpose.
LikeLike
Some people need a goal to get them moving, some do better without one. I do better with the wind pushing me from behind.
LikeLike
I believe that the wind pushing from behind each of us comes from the goals and purpose set beyond our human perceptions.
LikeLike
Goals are great and they definitely give purpose, but we’re usually so busy trying to get to the goal as quickly as possible that we don’t savour the journey.
I had a life changing event last year regarding my health (thankfully not cancerous) and I would say the reason the results were much better than I could’ve anticipated, given what I had to deal with, is because I decided I was going to make it into an adventure. From that point on, everything that happened in the year leading to the operation and beyond, the ups and downs, for good or for ill, became my greatest treasure. It was a most excellent journey.
LikeLike
I’m hope you are well and I’m happy that you were able to treasure the journey. It’s amazing how we can alter our perception of life’s experiences by viewing life as an adventure.
LikeLike
I find the second part of the quote especially appealing – reflecting gives meaning and promotes better understanding. Reflecting also promotes progress in our journeys.
LikeLike
True, this process facilitates one’s ability to better know themselves and the world. Hopefully, more will actually utilize the knowledge gained to progress.
LikeLike
love the quote,
lovely and uplifting..
cheers,
you deserve happiness.
LikeLike
Wow, I think this quote embodies exactly how I think about having purpose.
I don’t feel like I have purpose until I make goals and am on my way to fulfilling them, but crossing them off a list doesn’t mean anything to me; I don’t feel like I’ve done anything meaningful until I allow myself to reflect upon all the goals that I have completed I really think about the effects.
Thanks for posting this.
LikeLike
Ya, this words has a very powerful meaning,
Thanks for sharing this kind of thought…
LikeLike