The Dalai Lama once said, “The purpose of life is to be happy.”
According to him, people are born with an inherent sense of kindness and warmheartedness toward others. So, if the ultimate goal in life is to find happiness then being kind and good to others should help us achieve that.
The Dalai Lama’s view is very optimistic about the nature of people, which feels quite refreshing nowadays. But, is he right in saying that the purpose of life is to be happy? After all, happiness means different things to different people.
Let’s find out in this article.
How Do You Find Your Purpose In Life? Top Tips
Finding out what your purpose in life is can be daunting.
Purpose varies from person to person, and no one can find it but you. Some people spend their whole lives searching without ever finding it.
But that doesn’t mean they don’t have a purpose! It only means they were looking in the wrong places.
Finding your purpose is easier said than done, so we’ve prepared some pointers and suggestions to get you started.
1. Identify What Brings You Inner Peace
The Dalai Lama believes the key to happiness lies in peace of mind. This inner peace is something you can’t buy from a shop. Instead, you must cultivate it within yourself.
So, if we want the kind of happy life the Dalai Lama describes, we must find what brings us inner peace.
Basically, it’s time for some soul-searching. What do you love doing? What makes you feel at ease? What gives you a sense of fulfillment in the present moment? (To help you out, you might be interested in this article on how to find what makes you happy.)
When you’ve answered these questions, you’ll be well on your way to finding your purpose in life.
2. Focus On Self-Improvement and Well-Being
If you want to find your purpose in life, you must understand yourself and your own shortcomings.
If you can’t be honest with yourself, you won’t honestly know what makes you happy. Self-reflection is integral to knowing what you want out of life and how you can get there.
Taking the time to reflect on things you can improve is only the first step. From there, you need to make a conscious effort to improve them. This can take a long time, but the effort is worth it.
If you don’t work to improve your life, you won’t find fulfillment or purpose in the long run.
You may think, “I don’t deserve to be happy.”
This isn’t true! Everyone deserves to find their own happiness. However, some people have a lot of work to do before they can be truly happy.
3. Contribute To Your Community
Doing things that benefit others is an excellent way to find your purpose in life.
One of the most effective ways to help others is to get involved in community outreach programs and services.
We must remember that despite all our different cultures and beliefs, we’re all human beings. There isn’t a nobler purpose than helping others who are having a tougher time managing than you are.
Wanting to make a difference means more than just public gestures and charity. Making a difference is also about changing your mindset to think more carefully about how your actions impact those around you. By doing that, you’ll begin to feel like you’re making a difference while also improving your own view of yourself.
Kindness is contagious. Offering a helping hand can add a dash of positivity to someone’s life if they’re battling. They, in turn, might pass this on to the next person! Setting off a chain reaction of kindness is one of the most satisfying things you can do.
So, if you’re looking for a sense of purpose, remember that community service is an excellent place to start. It’s a great way to give back, feel connected, and make a real difference in the world.
4. Practice Compassion In Your Daily Life
Compassion is at the heart of humanity. It’s what allows us to feel empathy for others and motivates us to help those in need.
When you live with compassion, you see the world from a different perspective. Rather than being focused on yourself, you become more aware of the struggles that other people are facing.
You realize that there is more to life than your own problems and that we’re all interconnected. You’ll find that your purpose becomes clearer and that you’ll want to help others in any way that you can.
In your day-to-day activities, make time to offer a smile to a stranger. Don’t be shy about handing out honest compliments when meeting new people. If you see someone having a difficult time, ask if there’s anything you can do to help.
You might not think that these small acts of kindness make a difference, but they do. Your simple act of kindness can completely change how someone’s day goes. Kindness is important! They’re the building blocks of a more compassionate society.
5. Form Habits That Bring You Happiness
There can be a few reasons why people feel like they don’t have a purpose in life. One of the more common reasons is that they don’t feel in control of their lives. If that sounds dramatic, look at it like this.
Many working adults start their mornings early with breakfast and morning chores. Then, they go to a job for most of the day, work hard, and come home tired. It can feel hard to fit anything else into the day!
You might feel as if you don’t have an abundance of free time in your day.
People need to work to support themselves and their families. While working is essential to maturity and developing a sense of responsibility, it can be overwhelming.
Human existence shouldn’t be all about work! So, what’s the solution?
You need to form habits that bring you happiness in your daily routine!
Schedule time to just relax and slow down. Don’t take on extra responsibilities, even if you can squeeze them in. Find time to do things that make you happy, such as reading, listening to music, or spending time in nature.
People aren’t meant to run on an empty tank all the time. How can you find your purpose in life if you feel like all you do is work?
6. Make Time To Cultivate Your Relationships
Cultivating relationships is very important.
If you feel like your life lacks direction, tell your friends and family. Speak with them about the struggles you’re going through, and get their advice.
You don’t have to take it, but it’s always helpful to have a second opinion.
Most people battle with a lack of purpose, especially later in life. Don’t be afraid to tell the people in your life if you’re one of them. If you have strong relationships, they’ll be more than happy to listen and try to help you out!
7. Take Satisfaction In Making Progress
If you’re struggling to find your purpose in life, chances are high that you’re putting a lot of pressure on yourself.
When searching for your purpose, trying to succeed on the very first try is tempting. The desire to instantly find the knowledge or answer you’re looking for is an ever-present part of modern living.
But you must remember that the journey is just as important as the destination. You probably won’t figure it out right away, and that’s okay!
Take satisfaction in the fact that you’re even on the journey in the first place. The effort you put in is just as important as the result. And, more often than not, the journey is more rewarding than the destination.
So, cut yourself some slack and take your time, okay? We promise that your life’s purpose won’t disappear overnight if you take time to relax.
The Purpose Of Life Is To Be Happy: True Or False?
So, with all that information fresh in our minds, let’s get back to the central question: is the purpose of life to be happy?
Well, that depends on you!
Whatever your purpose in life might be, being happy will make the ride a whole lot smoother. Consider this – happiness is how people find their purpose. If something brings you a strong sense of happiness, peace, and satisfaction, it may just be your calling.
If you want to know if you’ve found your purpose, ask yourself if you’re doing what makes you happy. Does it have a positive impact on your life?
Does it positively impact those around you? If the answers are yes, then congratulations—you’ve found your purpose!
We believe that the purpose of life is to be happy and to be happy, you need to find your purpose. Purpose is one of the elements of happiness and is something that you determine for yourself. It’s not set in stone, and it can change over time. What matters is that you live a life that’s authentic to you and brings you true happiness.
Final Thoughts
We hope you’ve found this article helpful!
Keep seeking out your purpose in life. You may be feeling a little lost – don’t worry, it’s normal! If you keep at it and remember that happiness is a habit, you’ll be closer to understanding your calling.
If you’re looking for a way to track your happiness, consider using the Do Happy App. This app is dedicated to helping you get a little dose of happiness every day on your journey toward finding your purpose!
