Purpose – The object toward which one strives or for which something exists; an aim or a goal.

–Dictionary.com

Do your everyday actions have a purpose? They should.

Life is a series of actions and reactions that lead to the next. Everything we do is linked to events in the future and in the past. We can’t do anything about the past, but we can do something about what will be in the past; the present. We need to realize what we do will have an effect on the future. The sooner we realize this, the less we’ll have to look back on it later.

Most people go through life without thinking about the future or how their actions affect it. These people have no direction, have done no planning. They might as well tie strings to their limbs and play to the pupper master, because they aren’t doing much to make their lives meaningful for themselves or the people around them. With a purpose, life can fly like an arrow, slightly affected by wind speed and direction. Without purpose, life is a featherless arrow. This second arrow will fly, but not nearly as far or as straight as the first.

If you stop and think about it, our lives affect many more people than we imagine. My actions, in some shape or form, have an impact on everything else that I do. These actions in turn will affect friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, the store clerk, the bank teller, customers at work, the waitress at dinner, and so on. Since their lives have now been altered, the chain continues to the people they interact with. It’s a never ending cycle that often doubles back.

Place expecations on your own life. Create short-term, intermediate, and long-term goals. At the same time, don’t overwhelm yourself with purpose. Use it as a guide to living a better life and creating a better world. Remind yourself that you may not make the news, but you can make a difference.

After writing this, I’m reminded of the movie Pay It Forward, which has my recommendation.