A Good Question for Finding Your Purpose

[mercuryrising]

I got this one from David Dieda who wrote Way of the Superior Man, which is an awesome book.

He asks, "What do you need to do so that you feel complete when you die?"

I sat down with this question and a notepad. I thought it would take me quite a bit of soul searching, but I had an answer half-way down the page. About 15 minutes of writing. (Angela helped prompt me with this one as well)

My answer:

Being truly free. Freeing myself from addiction and helping others to be free of their addictions.

I have had a re-occurring vision for several years of a rehab that was run like a Zen meditation hall. I would like to see that happen in my lifetime. I would die complete knowing I had helped others from such a debilitating state of being.

I can't tell you how relieved I feel right now. Just knowing where I am going, what I want to do with myself, makes me feel whole right now.

Perhaps this question will some of you. Just thought I'd share.

[uberinquisitive]

That's great that you were able to get so specific.

So, what's the plan on how to get there?

What will you do in the next month?
Next 3 months?
Year?

[Jarrod]

That question doesn't work so well for me.

My answer would be: 'Nothing'

But asking the best use of my time would have a totally different answer.

[mercuryrising]

Originally Posted by uberinquisitive

That's great that you were able to get so specific.

So, what's the plan on how to get there?

What will you do in the next month?
Next 3 months?
Year?

Those are some excellent questions. I think I'll spend this evening putting that down on paper (or whatever) and I'll post the results. The purpose hasn't changed, but I haven't set down a real strategy.

And I wanted to thank you for leading me to Yang Town (where they have the TAT exercises). I subscribed to that guy's bloh after following your link.

Originally Posted by Jarrod

That question doesn't work so well for me.

My answer would be: 'Nothing'

But asking the best use of my time would have a totally different answer.

Whatever works. Knowing that you are into the martial arts, I thought of how the warrior is always ready for death at each moment. Not in a sense of paranoia or anxiety, but rather "complete" as he or she is right now.