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S&M: The Purpose of Life, What is Purpose?  

08 Jun 2021

“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realise this, and you will find strength” – Marcus Aurelius   You see yours truly was recently asked by the Imperial College of Business Studies to deliver a motivational speech on “Purpose in a Pandemic Age”. As the Guest Speaker at a programme titled “Break Out”, which featured a myriad of kids and individuals from Advanced Level to MBA students attending and also performing, I watched many of them display their talents and observed their reactions to the overall online event. And a few things hit home.  Firstly, this special online programme was a splendid platform utilising modern technology at our disposal (Zoom) to host an event that would be interactive, engaging and motivational for students as well as staff and teachers. The purpose of this project was then to inspire camaraderie and fellowship, and bring people together in a time where they are feeling uninspired, down, demoralised, and alienated in isolation without contact with peers, colleagues, and friends.  Secondly, it brings to light just how much of talent we as a nation possess. It is really quite impressive. However, if we take Sri Lanka as a whole, as a potential talent hub overall some proverbial stars shine and shimmer to light with feigned intentions, false modesty, pretentious vision – all a smoke and mirror facade just to jump on a trend wagon, become a flavour of the moment via some fruitless talent show or facsimile competition. To be sucked in and drawn into the entertainment machina of regurgitated fodder for an industry that merits social media influencer popularity over actual talent. A few will survive this cycle and hopefully emerge as entities with individuality and sturdier focus, and discover a penchant for longevity. Many, and I mean many. will not. So what then is their purpose?  But these kids with direction, guidance, encouragement, and candour can grow not just as artists with promise, but some as future thinkers, some as corporate game-changers to represent our nation on the global stage one day. So then is there purpose in helping these young academics grow? Yes. I think so. Everyone is a winner by living their lives with purpose. That’s the greatest challenge of all.  With a speech time of just 20 minutes, I wondered, for many days, what I could touch upon, and more so, how I could motivate these youngsters in that brief time frame without coming across as just another run-off-the-mill debutante, lacking any conscious ability to connect with the newer generation. Some quack from a bygone era coming and prattling on and preaching to the choir, as it were, about things that have no relevance to a younger demographic facing the challenges and hurdles of lockdown in a pandemic world. So my question to myself was; what was my purpose here? What is it that I bring to the table when I take to the floor that could make a difference. That would inspire change.  So I would like to break down my guest lecture in today’s article, because after the speech I was overwhelmed with a tsunami sized torrent of messages; both on the Zoom public chat and personally across the board on my social media. Messages one after the other how it had given the attendees new insight and inspiration, and given many kids courage to face the obstacles of lockdown but also the rage of tempests in this brave new world.  So let’s come back to the question of “What is Purpose?” Purpose means different things to different people.  The reason for doing something or creating something is Purpose (me penning an article each week for this here column). The reason something exists is also Purpose (a car is meant to be driven).  Your intention or objective towards accomplishing something is also Purpose (it was Purposed by billionaires that they will profit from Covid-19).  An individual’s sense of determination or resolve is also Purpose (she danced with graceful Purpose).  The desired outcome for a focused act, deed, or calculated behaviour is Purpose too (he was so passionate to connect with his audience that he was committed to composing what is perhaps his finest work).  It’s more complicated and multi-dimensional than we realise, isn’t it?  However, can we encapsulate a fairly thorough conceived to-do list of rules and life lessons that embody Purpose in all these facets and aspects? I believe we can.    “Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength” — Mahatma Gandhi.   5 simple tips to find purpose    
  • You define your purpose
  Not the world. Not your parents. Not your teachers. Not society. Not your partners of love, lust, or vocation. Not your friends. Certainly not your family.  All the above mentioned role models in life can help set you on your path. They can be avatars of influence at best, arbiters of inspiration at better, detractors of Purpose at worse.  You need to choose your own path. It's your journey. Filled with struggles, failures, loss, victories, sacrifice, glory. Figure out your strengths. Identify your weaknesses. Pursue your path to becoming the best version of yourself everyday. But know that finally your Purpose is defined by you and you alone.   
  • Focus is bl**dy important
  Do what you do well. Remember if you fail, fail well. If you succeed, succeed well. Don’t take half measures. The whole point is that when life knocks you off your feet, you keep getting up. Giving up is never an option on the cards when you are focused. We learn from our mistakes and failures when we are focused.  Be hardworking. Be like a dog with a bone. A shark with a scent for blood. Life isn't a competition or race. Your greatest rival is yourself each day. How you live your life is a journey with lots of different destinations. Don't let what others think grind you down. Oh and they will. Time and time again.   So be adventurous, daring, but also be responsible and accountable. Own up to your failures and flaws. Focus is to purpose what cheese is to crackers.   
  • Live in the present. 
  If you cannot change yesterday or completely control what happens tomorrow. What you can do is live with meaningful reason and reasonable meaning today. Far too many of us live with our heads and hearts buried in the past, or our thoughts fearful and worried about the future.  Value the mistakes you’ve made, learn from them and use them to grow. Learn from every journey of the past. But don’t cling onto it so tightly you forget to live in the here and now, missing opportunities, memorable moments and things you ought to cherish and appreciate. Work towards the future without obsessing over it. Don't forget to live in the present, or the future will be a never ending mirage you keep chasing, even after you find success, stability and solidarity. You will have no inner sanctum. You will not know peace.     
  • Have a vision as clear as glass, as sharp as a whet-stoned knife
  Always be passionate, no matter what you do. Whether it’s your work, studies, sports, fitness, creating music, labours of love, or even making love; whatever you do, be passionate about it. Don’t confuse passion with purpose and purpose with passion.  If you are truly passionate about something, Purpose will follow. You cannot separate the two. You cannot have one without the other. Purposeful passion will help you fulfil your objective and reach your vision.  Yet you must first have a very clear vision of where you will see yourself in a period of time. Whether it’s a few years or a decade. Or even more. Don’t falter and waver in your vision. Work towards it, giving it all you’ve got. Why? Because life is short and time is scarce. A person who lives life without a vision is like a bird without wings that only dreams of flight. Find your wings. Fly.  For without vision, Purpose will not have wings to fly.     
  • Turn your obstacles into opportunity. 
  Every obstacle you face, someone has also faced those same hurdles out there in the world. Perhaps in a different era or time, or varying circumstances. Or even a different context. Our losses, pain, and suffering, while subjective and unique to each of us, are not mutually exclusive.  We need to learn to adapt. To align our thinking to counter the predicaments and issues of our time. Problems have solutions. These solutions aren’t always apparent or clear to us at that particular moment of confronting the obstacle.  We must face the challenges with the tools at our disposal, with our skills and help from those we can implicitly trust and count on. The outcome may vary from our expectations. That’s okay. It is only by embracing change that we will ever work towards being the change we wish to see and be. Every failure is a lesson. Every flaw, a strength not yet discovered. Every obstacle, an opportunity that can be used to your advantage. Don’t forget: Life is short, time is scarce. Surrender is not a choice. Find your Purpose or let it find you. Don’t ever let it go. Suresh de Silva is the frontman and lyricist of Stigmata, a creative consultant and brand strategist by profession, a self-published author and poet, thespian, animal rescuer, podcaster, and fitness enthusiast. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication.  

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Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!


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