Do you have a purpose in life?

[Bob Of Burleson]

People Who Feel They Have
A Purpose In Life Live Longer

IdeaStream.org

Do you feel like you wander aimlessly through life, or is there a reason you're here? Psychologists say people with a sense of purpose may stress out less. Or they may lead healthier lives.

We know that happiness and social connection can have positive benefits on health. Now research suggests that having a sense of purpose or direction in life may also be beneficial.

To find out if having a sense of purpose has an effect on aging and adult development, Patrick Hill, an assistant professor of psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, looked at data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, which is funded by the National Institute on Aging.

Hill and his colleague Nicholas Turiano of the University of Rochester Medical Center looked to see how more than 6,000 people answered questions like "Some people wander aimlessly through life, but I am not one of them," and other questions that gauged positive and negative emotions.

They found that 14 years after those questions were asked, people who had reported a greater sense of purpose and direction in life were more likely to outlive their peers.

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[GFB]

Yes..my purpose is to fix Planosteve.

[BillB]

Keep groceries on the table.

[Dancer]

I agree wit both Greg and BillB. BUT! Food on the table is gonna be much easier.

[LibraryLady]

Yes..my purpose is to fix Planosteve.

[LibraryLady]

Anyone ever see the Steve Martin movie (The Jerk) in which he discovered his special purpose in life?

[grouchy]

At this point my biggest purpose is to be around long enough to help Tanner and Trey develop thru their early teen years. I would love to see them as men, but it is not in the cards.
Having said that, I don't have a bitch coming about anything in my life. I was dealt a good hand.

[Jay Weaver]

This is one of the easiest questions I have ever had to answer. YES!