DE Weekly: Purpose, Happiness, & Cats
Below is an archived email originally sent on October 7, 2024.
Purpose, Happiness, & Cats
I’ve been thinking a lot recently about two things: purpose and happiness. Specifically, I’ve asked myself two questions: What is my purpose in life? And, how can I be happy with however my life ends up?
I’m sure these are questions most people have asked themselves at some point before. In fact, I’m almost certain everyone has.
It’s a natural part of the human experience to just think–about what was, what is, and what could be.
In my experience, these questions loom larger when you feel like you’re stuck, like you’re just not living up to your potential or an ideal you have in your mind of what you could be.
It reminds me of a quote from Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov:
“The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.”
This quote is featured on the Daily Existentialist website’s About page, because it truly encapsulates the underlying theme of most existentialist thought.
It forces us to confront the reason for our existence, reckon with the idea that we might not have one, and it beckons at the universe for an answer.
Like many of the philosophical questions posed by the existentialists, this problem seems to arise only in the human mind.
As far as we know, there’s not another animal out there that sits around wondering why it’s here, or what it can do to live up to its potential.
This reminds me of a quote from Søren Kierkegaard:
“Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom.”
I love this quote. It’s a nice explanation for the human condition.
Simply put, the reason we are so anxious about our existence is because we are free.
We are free to make our own decisions and carve out our own lot in life, and that shear responsibility and freedom is dizzying. It’s enough to make one anxious.
That reminds me of another quote, this one from Albert Camus:
“Man is the only creature who refuses to be what he is.”
Maybe that’s it. Maybe we’d be less anxious if we took notes from other animals–after all, they seem to be less high-strung than us.
I feel this no more than when I look at my cats.
Their lives seem so simple. They find a nice place to lay, get comfy, and close their eyes. When I get home, they’re happy to see me. They wait patiently for their food and are excited when it comes.
They sleep in a cozy bed, and play with their toys or explore the house when they feel like it. They get pets and love and are taken care of.
When I look at their faces, they look happy. When I look into their eyes, I know they’re happy.
Do they feel like they’re missing out on anything in their lives?
Do they fear they aren’t living up to their potential?
Do they think they have no purpose in life?
I highly doubt it. I think humans could take some notes from cats. Or dogs. Or other animals for that matter. Maybe we’re not living up to our potential, and maybe we just haven’t found our purpose yet. Or maybe, we just refuse to be what we are.
Thanks for reading.
Sincerely,
Brandon J. Seltenrich
P.S.––
I’ve just started reading the classic French children’s book Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. I haven’t read it in years, and it’s striking a different chord reading it to myself as an adult. Lots of existential themes in that story. Consider picking it up for yourself.
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