Sitting around a campfire with friends, answering random questions we ask of each other. "What is your purpose?" Some may ask it as "What is your why?" In either case, it's a good question. One of those questions to ponder on a long run.
The simplistic answer to the question is, "My purpose is to be reliable for those I care about."
Obviously this is answer is about family and friends. I learned this purpose from my parents. They were reliable...for support, encouragement, assistance. Whether it was attending events in my youth, giving advice during college, financial assistance when times were tight.
I have tried to do likewise to my family. I've coached them, attended their events, took them on college tours, put one up in a hotel room during college finals week when her roommates made their house into party central. I've been the "bread winner" and "chief cook and bottle washer" as necessary during my two marriages. Please don't read that as a misogynous statement, it is an attempt to summarized the complexities of being a supportive spouse in whatever capacity was necessary.
My answer to the question goes beyond family though. I care about my co-workers, so I attempt to be a reliable resource for them. I care about my community, that lead to getting involved with my neighborhood association, a board member of an affordable housing non-profit and later elected office.
What's my purpose? To be reliable. To be the everyday player who often goes unheralded, but is an essential piece to the team. Consistent, but not error less. Resourceful, hard working.
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