Pulse of the World on Purpose

Does life have a purpose? What do others say their purpose in life is?

Questions for Discussion and Personal Reflection

  1. Did you identify with anyone’s expressed views in the film? If so, who and what resonated with you?
  2. Are you surprised to learn that 85 percent of people are clear about the meaning and purpose of their life (64 percent strongly agree and 21 percent somewhat agree)? Why or why not?

Why were we put here? I think everyone wants to know. Why were we put here? Why are we on Earth?
My purpose in life is to, um, to live a normal life, to, to be, um, a citizen, a productive citizen.

I don't fully know why I'm here, but I enjoy that. I enjoy knowing that, because then that creates endless possibilities for myself.

I believe it's random, to be honest. I don't think there's a plan. I think you make your own destiny.

I would like to make a difference, even if it's only in one life. I'd prefer to do more.

Love, happiness, joy, yoga.

I think oftentimes you, you realize what the purpose was more by looking back than, than looking forward in my way. Some people plan ahead and know exactly what their life is— uh, what their purpose in life is, in their mind anyway.

I, I find direction in life by just meditating daily, um, just coming out here to the beach.

Whether it be spending time with friends or family, or, uh, putting some gas in my boat so I can go fishing and catch a few fish, go home, have a fish fry... uh, I live day by day, and I like to take it like that.

Society wants you to think that your life's purpose is all about work, and making money and, uh, moving forward from that direction, but, uh, I think that's wrong, and I'm still trying to figure out what's right for me.

I'd say that because I think the meaning of life, in my opinion, is to find something that you're passionate about and use that passion to make the world around you a better place.

I mean, I think everyone has a reason to live. Everyone offers something to this world— whether it be bad, whether it teaches people to be good, or whether, um, they're good themselves— but I think everyone has a purpose on this planet.