"There are two great days in a person's life — the day we are born and the day we discover why." William Barclay
If the two great days in a person's life are the day we are born and the day we discover why, we only have control over the latter. We already have experienced the first great day - our birth; actually we have been placed into the flow of humanity without our choice or approval. So then, determining the "why" is the most salient and significant search for most of us. Of course, meandering through life aimlessly is an option, but then we would fail to experience one of our great days.
There is probably no single answer to the question of "why." Some religious individuals weave God (or a Higher Power) into their equation for determining (as the French call it) their raision d'être - reason for being. This spiritual approach to determining the "why" seems to be a source of solace, joy and contentment for many individuals. Any sacrifices and the delayed gratification of this approach until the hereafter are frequently the price of securing this "why." There is often much good that arises from seeking a God-centric "why," as well as some evil from the extreme religious fanatics of all religions.
In addition, the religious who use prayer to God might experience another benefit: by praying, a person acknowledges the possibility of achieving what he or she is praying for and increases the chances that their wish contained in the prayer will be realized. It is a form of "positive thinking," which has been touted for eons as one of the most important ingredients of all successful endeavors. If there is some supernatural benefit to praying, all the better; if there is none, certainly the effect of most prayer, positive thinking, is a strong incentive to pray, if you want to achieve a goal.
Seeking the "why" by attaining many titles, both current and emeritus, and accumulating material and financial possessions, seems to be the choice of many. Certainly, many people have found purpose to their lives in seeking, gaining or maintaining lasting fame or fortune. There is a paucity of extremely successful individuals who sought their "why" in this way, but even the less successful achievers can apply this "why" to themselves.
There are also personal and altruistic pursuits that attempt to define the "why," and they can include a wide assortment of life-long commitments to improve the lot of other human beings as volunteers. Or, the choice can be a personal effort to attain the highest potential as a human being in as many ways as possible, and in doing so through good works and example, make the World a better place than before.
There are probably many other "why" choices for sane or other minds; and having a well-defined "why" in our lives seems to motivate and involve us in striving to find purpose for our being born and completes the experience of living both of the great days of our life.
Every person who wants to experience these two great days has to discover their "why." Have you?
Edited by Elaine Burns
