Have you ever felt that your purpose is not what you want?
The are lots of stories that involve a “Chosen One”, somebody who is destined to fulfill a prophecy, save the human race, end a curse, or complete a dangerous quest for some sort of greater good. Often this character goes through phases of unwillingness or unhappiness about the duty to which they are fated.
I can see this happening in real life. Obviously the stakes are much lower, but the concept is the same. When a person realises their potential to do good, what do they do when following through requires them to give up their dreams?
For example, a student knows she is intelligent enough and has the resources to become a doctor. She genuinely wants to help people and would be proud to devote her life to improving the health of people in poverty. But what makes her truly happy is art. She is aware that being an artist wouldn’t make her a comfortable living, even backed up by a small ‘day job’, but obviously that is not important to her. What is important is that creating, viewing, discussing art makes her happy like nothing else does. But realistically speaking, her following her dreams isn’t going to make the world a better place, in fact it feels quite selfish.
I know that was quite long, so here is the question rephrased:
Has there ever been a time where you have had to make a permanently life-altering decision between happiness and duty?
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7 Answers
There is a lot of judgment in your initial premise that I don’t agree with. How do you know that her becoming an artist does not make the world a better place? Maybe people are moved by her art to be better and do better. Perhaps her art hangs in museums where it is seen by thousands of people who are all touched by it.
I don’t think there is a one-dimensional decision between duty and happiness. I think that following your happiness is your duty.
@marinelife Oh sure, I would never dream of denying that artists have and do improve the world we live in immensely. Realistically speaking, however, for this example person there’s a good chance her work won’t make a difference to many other people’s quality of life. If she becomes a doctor we can be certain she will make a difference, and in a concrete way. Art is vital to civilisation, but society needs doctors too. (One could manage both, but again how do you know where to find that balance? and anyway it’s just an example from the top of my head.)
Still, great answer!
I decided I could never be the “chosen one”.......I feel no “duty” to the people of the world..
I do feel “duty” to myself, my family, and close friends…
So because of that I will not work (long term) towards “the greater good” if doing so would make me unhappy….
and if the job I choose that makes me happy seems insignificant based on my potential for the greater good…... That would make “the greater Good” selfish….wanting me not to live my life but to live a life of a slave to others needs…
I believe in living life where it’s not so much what your chosen profession is as that is a paid position to earn money to survive and then some. To me….what is important and purposeful in life is what you do in between or actually all the time not just with your spotlight career. I call it the butterfly or ripple effect. Each action you do has the potential to affect others in this world. Just as an artist may create a painting just to create because that is what they enjoy….that painting may later bring joy and enchantment to another person who appreciates that piece of art. That door you open for a stranger will bring a smile to that person who then does it for another later on. There are so many very simply things everyone can do to bring purpose to not only their lives but of those all around them.
Happiness can be found in the many little things you do to enhance the life you live.
Yes, I have had to choose many times between my own happiness and some of the purposes of my life, usually involving my children.
If your purpose is not what you want, then it is not your purpose.
Don’t be fooled by the idea of being chosen. You can be chosen but it is your choice about whether you respond to that choice.
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