The idea of defining happiness versus enjoyment versus purpose is a little confusing for me.
Martelo said:
In my view ones purpose is something one should be able to live everyday and in every moment beyond a task or activity it would be a way of being. What purpose does a tiger have?
Not to speak for Corri, but what I am guessing she is working toward is to first establish what makes each of us happy without regard to anything or anyone else. This is a purely selfish exercise and speak more to the temperament of who we are, what type of personality we have, are we extroverted, introvert, adventurous, cautious, daring, in need of excitement or tranquility. With this as a backdrop, does the rest of our life fall into consistency with what makes us happy or in opposition to it?
IMO, I think that should include consideration of our “purpose” in life. We can choose many career paths or purposes, but to be truly happy and successful, that purpose should be somewhat consistent with who we are. So purpose is a higher order decision that should be based in part on what makes us happy, though not necessarily so. The choice of a purpose is always a compromise, as GGB states may be the case between artistic pursuit and money. The starving artist can be quite miserable if his kids are hungry. The successful business man can also be unhappy going to a high paying job he hates.
So I think purpose should be influenced by what makes us happy but not entirely determined by it. I do see a problem if the purpose makes one truly unhappy. IMO, the important thing is to be at peace with the compromise you make between work and happiness, and still be able to tap into whatever it is that makes you happy to round out your life. At least that is how I’m looking at this issue.
