In this section, I want to reflect on a question that I have been hearing more often around me, especially as I get older:
"What is your purpose in life?"
Honestly, as a 19-year-old, I still don't have a clear answer to this question. I remember that in the ninth grade, our teacher asked us to write an essay about this topic. At that time, my classmates mostly talked about things like finishing school and getting into university. I remember writing something like this:
"I think finishing school and going to university is not so much a goal, but rather a necessity for those who want to move forward in that direction."
But I don't remember whether I wrote what my own purpose was in that essay. Maybe I didn't, or maybe I did—I'm not sure. However, even today I still think the same way: many things we call "goals" are actually necessary things for us.
But isn't the thing we call a "purpose" a bigger concept? Isn't it something that motivates a person and pushes them to act? At least, I have heard purpose defined this way. But I'm also not sure how accurate this perspective is. Maybe what we call purpose also includes small things, and there is no need to think so deeply about it.
I ask myself again: "What is my purpose in life?"
I still cannot give a clear answer to this question.
When I ask myself in which field or profession I see myself and whether I want to move forward in that direction, I still cannot find an answer. Because I have never had the concept of a "dream job" since childhood.
The idea of doing one job for forty or fifty years—until retirement, if my life allows it—honestly makes me feel bored. Of course, I have nothing to say against people who love their jobs or are truly devoted to a profession. On the contrary, I wish all of them success.
Sometimes I also think: maybe life itself does not have a purpose; maybe we are the ones who give it meaning and purpose. One sentence my university professor once said still stays in my mind:
"A person without a purpose cannot live."
That sentence felt a bit strange to me at the time. Yes, I have daily responsibilities like eating, sleeping, waking up, going to university, studying, and passing exams. These are necessary for life to continue. But I don't seem to have a "big purpose worth fighting for." This inevitably leads me to the question: if I don't have a purpose, am I really living?
In reality, I would like to live a calm and happy life. Could that be my purpose? I don't know. The only thing I know is that I am not putting serious effort into developing myself in a specific direction right now. I admit that I am a bit lazy, and some things simply do not interest me.
But I don't want this to leave a negative impression on you, the reader. This doesn't mean that I am living my life like a zombie. I continue my daily life; I attend my classes, I work. My grades are quite good. I have friends and family. Everything is going well in that regard.
But whether this question is answered or not, life goes on. If we want to live in better conditions and provide those conditions for our families as well, we must do certain things whether we like it or not. We must put in effort, endure difficulties, and keep working continuously. Of course, if one day we become wealthy, we can live a better life by working less. That's why we need to constantly strive and keep trying.
To be honest, I don't really think that someone like me, coming from a lower background, will become very rich. But I don't want you to think like me. For me, being extremely rich is not very appealing. Being able to meet my own and my family's needs, and saving a little money for traveling and having fun, is enough for me. But like everyone else, I wouldn't say no to being rich or to money. After all, we are human, and we always want more. And one of the seven deadly sins is greed.
I would like to thank everyone who read the second part and wish them success in their lives. I try not to make the topic too long so as not to bore the reader, but also make sure not to leave it unfinished. I will write the next chapter when I feel motivated; of course, if readers want it sooner, I will write it sooner.
Good night; and if it is morning, good morning.