Labor Day Question: What’s Man’s Greatest Purpose on Earth?

Live, Love, Matter

—Brendon Burchard

Today, we celebrate Labor Day. But have you ever wondered what man’s purpose on earth is? Close your eyes. Engage your imagination. Time to dream. Consider the best possible outcome for you and your family and friends. What do you see? Consider the environment in which you are living. Make no reservation in your dreaming. Consider all the best possible scenarios. Consider the physical environment. Consider the joys and happiness that are available in life.

What Brings Fulfillment to Man?

My question would be: What is the crown of it all? [ictt-tweet-inline]What situation would give you the best possible satisfaction?[/ictt-tweet-inline]

• Would it be the thought of having no problems?
• Would it be the thought of harmony and peace?
• Would it be the thought of wholeness in your physical body?
• Would it be thought of having plenty of money in several bank accounts?
• Would it be the thought of abundance, with everything you wished for available at your disposal?
• Would it be the thought of beauty, grandeur, opulence, and prosperity?
• Would it be the thought of love, joy, happiness and enriched relationships?
• Would it be the bounty of everything good that you ever needed in terms of travel, art, recreation and
• Would it be the success and prosperity of your endeavors in terms of business and enterprise, career and pursuits?
• Would it be the fulfillment that comes with contribution that you have made in the lives of as many people as you possibly could?
• Would it be the thought that in all of your existence, you are covered and there is no thought of evil befalling you ever?

No matter what your answer would be, I am willing to bet that if you took a long hard look at these dreams, the one that would give you the greatest fulfillment would encompass one or two or all of the following components:

The 6 Greatest Psychological Needs of  Man

I credit these 6 to Tony Robbins who himself credits Dr. Chloe Madannes for coming up with them.

1. Love
2. Contribution
3. Growth
4. Significance
5. Variety
6. Certainty

What is the Purpose of Labor Day?

Today, in the whole wide world, we are celebrating “Labor Day”. The word “Labor” sounds off to me. It kind of has a connotation of condemned to struggle. In fact, I bet you that this Labor Day is never celebrated by the “Jobless” in society.

This day is also marked by very many innuendos of “workers” clamoring for their rights. Several workers unions are fighting for a better way of life, ergonomics, working conditions and remuneration of their union members.

I guess the million dollar question that we must stop and ask ourselves is this: Why in the world are we here as humans? [ictt-tweet-inline]From one Labor Day to another, why are we in existence?[/ictt-tweet-inline] Is there something loftier in life that we are supposed to aspire to than the normal drudgery of working to pay bills so we can make our existence on earth palatable?

What Makes us fulfilled?

Indulge me for a minute. Let us revisit your highest dreams above. Remember the questions on fulfillment? Suppose you said that the dream that would give you the greatest satisfaction was “to have plenty of money in several bank accounts”. This indeed is a valid dream, who wouldn’t want it?

So let’s highlight it and take it further. Why do you think you want all that money? There must be an underlying reason for it, right? Suppose the reason you would give to this question is, “So that I can pay all my bills and take care of my family”. That is a valid reason. But then again, there is another underlying reason why you want to pay the bills for your family and take care of them.

All in all whatever motivation you have, it will boil down to one of the six major psychological needs: Love, Growth, Contribution, Significance, Variety and Certainty.

So what is the main purpose of the existence of man? I would love to suggest two answers to this. The first answer is a follow up to the above thought process. The second answer is so obvious most people would miss it.

Reason for Man’s Existence

“The main purpose of the existence of man on earth is to live to give and receive love, provide care and contribution to others as they grow in significance, experiencing the wonder of life in its variety and making sure that there is a certain definite end and safety to his existence”

–Lawrence Namale

The above is simply coined from the 6 psychological needs of man. Take a quick look at the above statement. Do you think there could be any loftier meaning for the existence of man? Those of us in spiritual circles could have some answers such as:

• To bring Glory to God: Ok great response. My question is, how will you do this?
• To be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, subdue it, have dominion in it. Still the question goes begging, how would you do this?
• To be in the Presence of God: Great answer still. But how is that done?
• To maximize his potential. How?

No matter what answer we come up with, I believe that the greatest man who ever lived can tell us man’s greatest purpose for living in two statements:

1. “The greatest among you shall be your servant” : This admonition covers the following human psychological needs: (Contribution, Growth, Significance, Love)
2. “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’: this two prong summary of man’s existence covers all the 6 psychological needs of a human being:
   1. Certainty: Loving God provides safety and certainty for an eternal soul. Nothing else guarantees it.
   2. Growth Variety: “As you love yourself”, there is no restriction on how you can love yourself. You are at liberty to experience life the way you want by loving yourself. If you love yourself, you will invest in personal growth.
   3. Love, Contribution and Significance: “Love your neighbour”, when you do this, your significance and contribution are catered for instantly. Loving your neighbour is through action, not just words.

But what is that one word that can fully explain the purpose of man on earth? I am willing to submit and bet that that word is “Work”.

The word Work as used in the scriptures means “Become the best possible version of yourself as you were intended to”. That my friend is the purpose for man’s existence on earth. Tell me what else is loftier than this.

Happy Labor Day. Live and become!