Pursuit of purpose

Outlook and longevity have been linked by researchers on human behaviour. According to a report based on their study, published recently, people who have a sense of purpose in life appear to live longer. Quality of life led by them marked by physical and mental health has been highlighted in the report in an international peer-reviewed medical journal published continuously since 1883. Purpose was defined by the authors as a self-organising life’s aim that stimulates goals, promotes healthy behaviours and gives meaning to life. The participants in the study were 68.6 years of age on an average in the range above 50 years. The profile of the sampled group included their demographic, marital status, ethnic identity and education level. More importantly, the causes of death covering a four-year period were also noted as auxiliary data. Ideally, recognising one’s own capabilities and aptitude, preferably early in life as well stumbling upon a guiding mentor have a clear part in deciding on the purpose to be pursued, according to the knowledgeable and elderly in society.

The principle of doing things rightly following the choice of doing the right things in life, as prescribed by the wise, sets the path leading to achieving one’s purpose without hassles. The sense of fulfilment in the act of pursuing purpose doesn’t seem to be conditioned by good or bad nature of purpose as narrated by authors of stories and novels.

The part played by role models, as outlook gets crystallised in the youth while passing from teenage to adulthood, makes or mars the life of millennials born between 1985 and 2004, that is in the 15 to 35 years of age. The elderly members of one’s family, teachers in the school stage and friends exerting strong influence on gen next, one is prompted to remember the saying that if attention to moulding good behaviour is missed in young age it is well-nigh impossible to mend later in life. Present day contestants in polls to various legislative bodies of the country, barring exceptions, as well as the cinema fraternity producing films with the sole purpose of making a fast buck have to take the blame for setting undesirable examples for the youth to emulate.

Medical Science and the healers of diseases provide some relief to the suffering lot in their advanced age. Whether one pursues noble or otherwise purpose in life, one may ponder over the advisory attributed to the first century Roman Statesman Lucius Seneca namely ‘As is a tale, so is life; not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.’