Thoughts

September 2010

Purpose of Life

Theory%20file_resize.jpg"The purpose of human life is to serve and to show compassion and the will to help others. Creativity is the ability to introduce order into the randomness of nature. Life is an exciting business and most exciting when it is lived for others. You cannot do much about the length of your life but you can do a lot about its depth and width."

Each sentence is a quote from famous people but they've been put together in one paragraph,printed on my folder which I use for my music theory pupils. I bought the folder because I liked the first two quotes in large print," Inspiration comes of working(Charles Baudelaire)" and "Imagination is more important than knowledge (Einstein)"
but while I was waiting for a pupil to finish her work I just glanced at the smaller print which said the above and was really moved by it.

In the past month,I had been shaken to the core and questioning my values on what true kindness,compassion,thoughtfulness is. I guess that everyone's definition of these things are different and although one's intentions might be good,I've discovered (yet again!) that it can end up being hurtful to others at times. At one point I even felt like,"why bother!!!???".But looking at my folder and also realizing (through my friends) that there is of course meaning and value to being compassionate and helping others has helped me to regain my own beliefs on how to interact with people. It was a scary time as I lost all faith in my own definition of what kindness is,but am comforted by the fact that it isn't wrong to try and make it the purpose of life. I believe in the pursuit of happiness but also believe that that happiness comes from helping one another and trying to achieve it together - whether it be family,friends or someone on the street. To me restricting one's compassion or kindness just doesn't seem to make sense. I have to pursue what I believe in.

And by perfect timing,my oldest friend from when I was three years old who knows me inside and out,sent me a song which she thought I would love. It's from the musical "Wicked"and the song is called "For Good".The lyrics say it perfectly. I am so glad that I am not the only one who believes in this.

"People come into our lives for a reason,
bringing something we must learn.
And we are lead to those who help us most to grow
if we let them,
and we help them in return...."


Quotes;
The purpose of human life is to serve and to show compassion and the will to help others. (Albert Schweitzer)
Creativity is the ability to introduce order into the randomness of nature. (Eric Hoffer,American writer)
Life is an exciting business and most exciting when it is lived for others. (Hellen Keller)
You cannot do much about the length of your life but you can do a lot about its depth and width. (Evan Esar,American Humorist)