Sometimes it seems like there is no purpose to life.  In Byron Katie's words, we sit, we stand, and we lie down.  Day in and day out.  When we feel especially low, we wonder what the point is.  This also can come up when we stop overeating, over drinking, over porning, over shopping, over gaming, over distracting and otherwise buffering -- seeking pleasure -- to drown out stress.  What's left?  A terrifying void.  We wonder "Now what?"  "What's the point?"

The point is to find the point, which has nothing to do with external pleasure.  I would argue that the point is to experience life as a human being, life in its full expression of joy, pain, and everything in between.

Here's a recipe for finding the point, the purpose, the meaning: Set a goal, any goal.  Make sure it's attainable.  Make it as small as you'd like.  Your goal might be to eat three meals today and nothing in between.  It might be to check out some online dating sites.  Maybe it's to take a full day of leisure -- to fill your day with "non-productive" activities.  Maybe it's to take a long shower and go to the store.  Now watch yourself experience a range of emotions as you take steps in the direction of your goal.

Watch yourself as you experience discomfort, fear, restlessness, and courage on the way to your goal.  Watch yourself feel motivated, proud, and satisfied when you accomplish your goal.  Repeat.

When you follow this recipe, you experience your life as a human being.  You get to know yourself.  You watch yourself feel things as you do things.  The point is never the thing you're trying to achieve.  The point is to experience your life as a human being.

Until next time,