It’s a common question I get asked by my friends, family, and readers. On the other hand, I’d love a simple response from you all. When it comes to discovering my purpose in life, I don’t have a clear answer. That’s the best advice I could come up with: Just try a lot of different things and see what happens. It’s a sincere response. Answering questions with “I don’t know” is never a problem for me. When someone asks a question, I believe many people feel compelled to respond. As a result, there is an abundance of nonsense in the world. People are afraid of looking stupid, so they concoct the strangest stories. Even when we know it’s time to stop talking, we can’t help ourselves. The best way to put it is by quoting William Faulkner: “It is the heart-breaking stupidity of words, he said. Talk, talk, talk. “What’s so wrong with saying, “I have no idea”?
We don’t want to come across as sloppy or unprofessional. Also, we enjoy being liked by others. A simple “I’m not sure” won’t do for the person asking the question. Numerous times I’ve been there before. When I worked for a large corporation, “why?” was the most frequently used word by managers. What’s the point of this? What’s the point of that? When someone makes a mistake or something goes wrong, these questions are frequently asked. You know what, I have no idea.
There are times when things just happen without any effort on the part of anyone. What’s wrong with that? Only humans have the answers to all questions. Why isn’t that good enough for you guys? Scientists are an example. In our minds, they are magical beings who should be able to answer all of our questions. However, a closer look reveals that there are still many unanswered questions.
In reality, it’s often the other way around. Let’s say that I’d like to learn everything there is to know about the cosmos. The universe is either finite or infinite, for example. How can you look past something you can’t see if it’s finite? As if taking a rocket to the far reaches of the universe is as easy as hopping on a rocket. Psychology, for example, is another option. In other words, what is the secret to contentment? There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all answer.
As you can see, it’s impossible to answer these questions. Every day, it’s the same—there are a plethora of questions that go unanswered.
What caused you to become enraged?
What drew you to a particular career path?
What was the driving force behind your decision to relocate?
Why didn’t you send the email on time?
Inquiring minds want to know…
Ernest Hemingway’s novel A Farewell to Arms contains a few lines that, in my opinion, perfectly capture this idea. During World War I, Frederic Henry, an American who worked as an ambulance driver for the Italian army, had a conversation with a fellow soldier. When he first meets Catherine Barkley, an English nurse, they have this exchange:
“How are you?” “You’re not Italian, are you?” Miss Barkley inquired.
‘Oh no,’ she said.
Being a member of the Italian military struck him as odd.
‘I’m not really a soldier.’ ‘It’s just an ambulance,’ he said.
‘It’s a little strange.’ ‘Why did you do it, then?’
What do you think?’ I said. ‘It’s not always possible to find an answer to every question.’
‘Oh, yes, there is.’ Because of my upbringing, I had assumed there was.
Aw, how sweet of you.
As a result, I admire Ernest Hemingway, whose works you should check out. For the most part, we’re wired to expect an explanation for everything. In our personal and professional lives, including our jobs, relationships, and pursuits in the workplace. In the end, you will only find yourself frustrated if you keep looking for an answer to everything. Curiosity, on the other hand, is a positive trait. No, I’m referring to the tendency to obsess over trivial matters, such as whether or not you know the answer to a question. “So, what are our options? “There is no doubt in my mind that we do not know the answer to every question. And it’s more difficult than it appears. Why is that? We’re all worriers who despise uncertainty. No one is exempt from this rule. The best way to deal with your incessant doubts is to simply put your head down and do something. Follow your gut, heart, feeling, etc. instead of trying to rationalise everything. Without action, there is no result; therefore, it is better to take action than to ask questions.
