That’s a question many of us ask ourselves at some point—or maybe all the time. I know I do. For me, it often comes up during moments when I feel lost, doubt my abilities, or when I’m simply unhappy with where I am in life. Whether it stems from a lack of direction, a low emotional state, or comparing ourselves to others, the question remains: Why am I here? What am I meant to do?
Most self-help books suggest prayer, meditation, or quiet time to reflect deeply and uncover what we truly want out of life. Coaches, gurus, speakers, and authors often tie purpose to wealth or success—selling the idea that fulfillment lies in financial achievement. But is that really why we were placed on this Earth? Just to chase money?
Don’t get me wrong—I’m not against having money. It may not buy happiness, but it does offer choices and freedom. Still, I’ve never chased wealth for the sake of being rich. That just doesn’t feel like my true purpose. I’ll save the deeper dive on money for another blog post. This one is about purpose.
I’m reminded of a simple story:
A wealthy businessman sees a fisherman relaxing by the shore, not out at sea. The businessman tells him, “If you worked harder, you could catch more fish, buy a fleet of boats, and eventually be rich like me.”
The fisherman replies, “And then what?”
The businessman says, “Then you can enjoy life.”
The fisherman smiles and says, “What do you think I’m doing right now?”
That story always grounds me. It reminds me that chasing more doesn’t always bring joy—it often just brings more stress. We might already have what we need to be happy but are too busy chasing something else to realize it. It’s like the saying: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
I’m not saying we should settle. I’m saying that our purpose in life should not be defined by what society deems important—it should be defined by what we find meaningful. For me, I need to figure out what truly brings me joy, not what looks good on paper or impresses other people. Lately, I’ve realized I feel most at peace and purposeful when I’m spending time with people who genuinely care about me.
Right now, I can’t even fully write down what I want to do with my life—my mind feels clouded by outside expectations and noise. But I do know this: My purpose is somewhere in the quiet, in the simple moments, and in the connections that matter.
