I’ve always had a purpose, but later in life, I think that what that is is different from person to person. It’s impressed upon me that a swath of westerners are seeking advice from human and artificial gurus, wondering at what it is that motivates them.

But I really think that’s very probably crazy. It’s like believing that you need someone else to tell you what your favorite song is.

It’s true that the human experience is performative and that having high marks is pleasing, but an objective successful life is only one type of purpose. If it’s the only thing you want, if it’s the only thing that’ll do, then you know that you don’t need somebody to tell you. If you don’t care how you get it, be comforted in knowing that you’re not alone.

But really, I just think that these are things that are comparative, and it’s a very common thing that we all subconsciously think of and do. Compared to some people, I have a lot of money. Compared to some people, I afford some decadence and luxury, some kind of impression of those things. But it’s not everybody’s purpose to be better. It’s only some unknown percentage of people that prioritize that. And for them, that is one of their purposes.

What we all have in common, though, is that our desires are self evident. No guru is required. In many instances, the move towards self actualization is unconscious. Gurus are either con artists or self-aggrandizing hucksters that are taking advantage of people that are sad and lonely. They should not be confused with educators or instructors.

A purpose is intrinsically who you are. It’s not something that you slip on. It’s what your clothing, what you dress up. To be less esoteric, it’s a physical living body that experiences sustainable and/or unsustainably pleasure. Have said many times before that I’m an epicurean man, because his philosophy was irrefutable. From the monk to the gamer, from the climber to the cook, you see them whittled down to a demented bum when they are without pleasure, without love from others and for the self. You look out at the world and you hate, hate, hate it, and no one is attracted to that. No one really cares to be around that.

You have nothing to give, and serving and giving of yourself is one of the rare sacred pleasures that some Christians try to own. Though, if all you want to do is take, if that’s your purpose, then it is not necessarily “bad.” Some people want power over others, to control them and to instill fear in them. These people are valuable because struggle creates strong people. It’s probably frightening to think about, when you picture boot lickers and fascists, but know that they are sad and angry, and they need help. Steel yourself, but do not give in to temptation.

So as said many times before, give without motive. Well, there’s a motive and that’s the pleasure you’ll derive from it, but let that be the only thing. Be selfishly generous, if you need a tagline from another huckster.