MOST people have this notion that the ultimate goal of life is happiness. This comes off seemingly pointless and shallow in the grander scheme of things.

Happiness comes and goes. It is chasing after soft soap on the surface and can be a truly empty pursuit in the deeper sense of our existence. It mostly correlates to comfort, ease and embarking on an endless cycle of impulsive pleasures and material success which may come with a great deal of anxiety and despair when we chase after unrealistic expectations and ideals for ourselves. It can be cumbersome when foundations are not in place and are a highly shortsighted outlook which does not lead to profound growth, maturity and flourishing.

In our lives, we constantly suffer, struggle, fail and continuously learn from our many complex experiences. While survival and livelihood is essential and most of us do aspire for a sense of contentment, stability and belongingness, it goes further than that as we naturally seek a deeper understanding of our mortal existence.

Whether it is finding our unique purpose, assessing our strengths and talents, communicating and establishing connections, impacting others, serving our communities, understanding our associates, empathizing with our friends, nurturing our close relationships and loving our families. Ultimately, what brings about real redemption in our lives is when we hold on to a deeper meaning.