Ask yourself why you are here. Not just why you're here at this moment, but why you're here in life. A question that many will shrug and say I don't know while some will tell a great story about why they're here. When we ask ourselves a question of purpose it requires a great deal of understanding a bigger picture.
There doesn't have to be a grandiose explanation of our existence, but rather an understanding of our purpose. Purpose is what drives us and without it we walk a boring and mundane life. Not understanding the bigger picture and a purpose can even leave us frustrated or angry.
As a young Airman transitioning to a Junior NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer), I was presented many opportunities and learning experiences. It wasn't until the end of my first deployment that my replacement, who was even younger than I, was upset and angry about being there. His frustration was due to not understanding his role or purpose and that was because he didn't see the bigger picture. His focus was so narrow that he only thought about being in the front lines.
Being a radio technician doesn't always provide opportunities to be a part of the action. Our role was to provide support to other base units and ensure their radios operate. However, this young Airman didn't like running around and poke at radios to make sure they worked. He wanted action and to be in the front lines. It wasn't what he "signed up for."
I looked at my replacement and felt upset myself. I was upset of his inward thinking. I explained to him about a recent time when a special forces team needed immediate air support. I said to the Airman, "if it weren't for performing our PMIs (Periodic Maintenance Inspections), those planes would have never been able to take off and that small team would all be dead!"
That team was thanking those birds (Air Force talk to describe planes). In all honesty, indirectly they were thanking me and everyone else who put those birds in the sky. The Airman looked at me with a surprised look on his face and he said, "I had no idea that our job was that important." He never complained again for the last few days I was there and his attitude towards being there was lifted.
What I've come to find in my life experiences is that we are here for each other. Life isn't a solo mission, and those who make it one are lonely, depressed, angry, and sometimes heartless. By living a life in which you understand value in putting others before yourself, you begin to see the bigger picture and create purpose and meaning for yourself.
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