Finding Purpose

We are not all " colorful, magnificent and brilliant", butterflies. Some of us are moths. "But we can all shine bright and our light can be a gift to others", Fletcher.

In nature, everything has a purpose, from the king of the forest ( the bears) to the tiny little black ant. The male species of birds and many other critters are the ones with magnificent colors and beauty. It is to not only attract a female for mating but to attract even the predators to protect the female and young.

As children, we grow up to learn respect for others and follow rules ( that is a goal not every parent does well with these teachings). We have rules of conduct on how to treat others and laws to obey for safety of all. Hopefully, we learn to work hard, make our own path and discover the meaning of success.

“It’s not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something.” ―Winston S. Churchill

It really is much simpler in Nature. The trees send off new growth, they reach tall to the sunlight. They grow and provide oxygen to the air for living things to breathe. The forest might be partially destroyed by a fire set from lightening. But, many trees could have to to the end of life and be rotten inside, some could be filled with disease and the fire actually stops the disease. Pine cones will have fallen and pop open in the heat, releasing new seed that will re-plant the forest. New clear cuts will leave open grounds for wild flowers to or huckleberry bushes to populate an area. The clear cuts with new growth provide fresh food to many forest animals. In nature, everything has its purpose and a circle of life.

The tiny ant comes in plentiful colonies that break down rotten trees and this contributes to the richness of the soil for re-growth. The majestic bear, actually eats ants as well as other birds and bugs. Nature

knows how to balance and everything big or small has its purpose.

People are always soul searching for our purpose. When we are young we spend a great amount of time learning, then working and possibly having a family, and then providing for them. Our careers have a purpose, to not only earn enough income to provide for our means to survive, but can also contribute to society. When we age and come to retirement, we might continue to seek further purpose. The family is grown and we provided, the job has ended....now what? It is ok to allow ourselves permission to relax, reflect, and enjoy. Our lives might have felt greater like the bear and now seems smaller like the ant or simple like the butterfly.

“True happiness… is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.” ―Helen Keller

It is ok to slow down, live simple and enjoy the world around. Always, in reflection, time to be thankful. Find the joy in each day, you have 84,600 seconds to choose from.

So when in doubt, just look up.

Listen to the wind or the birds.

Smell the flowers and capture their brilliance.

Be on the look out for simple pleasures and be thankful.

Every day and every moment has its purpose. Having a purpose makes it impossible to merely exist. When you have a definite reason for living, a “why” behind every action, your passions and talents will drive you toward a happy, fulfilling destination.

“The two most important days in life are the day you born and the day you discover the reason why.” – Mark Twain