Purpose of Me and We

Slowly but surely I'm learning. I'm learning that there is a point to all of this. There is a purpose to my life. For years I believed that my life really didn't have a purpose or any meaning. Foolishly, I thought I was here to just waste space. Time and time again I found myself asking questions like "why am I here" and "what difference do I make" and "what contribution do I make in the world". I'm not particularly talented. I don't play sports. I don't have children so I haven't helped to repopulate the planet. I won't become a saint after my death. I haven't found a cure for a disease. I haven't solved world hunger. I won't ever win a nobel prize. I'm just average - typical - common. Would it matter one wit if I had never been born? I'm 51 as I write this. This year I have managed to connect with people in a way I've never before been able to do. The reason, I believe, is because I've reached out to folks and they have invited me in. Into their thoughts and hearts where all the private stuff is hidden. I've reached out and people have shared the most incredible things with me. Their dreams, their fears, their hopes, their failures. What I have discovered is folks are just like me in every way. No matter their status in life, no matter how talented or witty or beautiful or rich or wise - they are all - just like me. They have the same issues. They have the same problems. They have the same drama. But! They also have the same visions and goals and desires and loves. Imagine that. They are human. . . just like me! I'm learning that the purpose of life - not just my life but the life of everyone - is to connect with other people. To have deep, meaningful relationships. Life's problems are not nearly as troublesome when you have someone to tell them to; they just seem to lose their power that way. And life's joys? Well, they are all the better when you can share them with another. There is power in joy and it can spread like wildfire if only we will include others. My life has always had purpose, I just didn't know it before now. Now that I know, I want to help others know. No doubt there are others in this world who - just like me - falsely believe they ain't nothing - they don't matter. They do matter! We all matter! And I intend to do my part to help others see that the purpose of life is to connect with people in deep, meaningful ways. One hundred years from now, nobody will know my name. Nobody will know who I was. Nobody will know what I did. But that doesn't matter. What matters is what I can do right now. And I'm gonna go do it. I'm gonna spread the word. Life has meaning. . . for every single one of us.