Thank you @ELAmental for putting forth this GREAT question for the tribesteemup community. It really had me digging deep into my thoughts and soul as I dissected what it all means to me

"What Is The Meaning Of Life & Why Are We Here?"

I believe when people hear these two questions, their thoughts immediately turn to religion. You know, the old argument of "Creationism vs. Evolution" theories.

Let me start this answer and post off with an explanation of who I was in the religious realm of life many years ago and then the way I evolved as an adult to my own thinking and beliefs.

Image Source-Pixabay

I was born into a semi-practicing Roman Catholic family. What I mean by semi-practicing is this...

• I attended weekly catechism classes all through elementary/primary school; I even had my first Communion and Confirmation at the local Roman Catholic church.

A catechism is a summary or exposition of doctrine and serves as a learning introduction to the Sacraments traditionally used in catechesis, or Christian religious teaching of children and adult converts

I attended these classes, learned about the Ten Commandements, learned and memorized all the Catholic prayers and once a week I repented for my sins during confession. I was usually admonished by the priest (Father), told to never do it again and to say two Hail Mary's and one Lord's Prayer then the Father scooting me on my way and waited for one of my classmates to enter the confessional.

• As a family we attended church services for the major holidays, funerals, weddings, Baptisms, communions... you get the idea. My mom would take some of our Easter or Christmas food in a beautiful basket every holiday to get it blessed by the Father during church services.

When I was an adult with my own children, we attended a non-denominational church. But something was missing.
Even now, I was attending a Christian church that has a great congregation, are very community orientated and have always extended a hand to us. But still... something is missing.

Not a day goes by that I don't listen to Joel Osteen... his messages really speak to me.I have many of his books and some of the pages are dog-eared saving some of my favorite inspirational words from him. Some days you just need that lift me up

So what was missing?

My inner soul being content. My inner joy being filled. My inner happiness being fed. My own belief that I can worship any way I want to. Not having to have someone preach to me. Knowing that I have sinned and that my Father in Heaven can forgive me for my errors.

So for me... being here and what is my purpose doesn't necessarily gear towards the religious factor. It is more about being filled to brim of my soul with personal growth, well being and merriment.

I hope I didn't upset anyone, hurt anyone's beliefs or cause someone to dislike me with this statement

But NOT being full-force, attend church services every Sunday and Wednesday and adding to the tithe does not make me a bad person. It makes me who I am.

"What Is The Meaning Of Life & Why Are We Here?"

Life to me is:

• Working for a common goal you share within your family
• Being unconditionally loved by those you care about and love
• Be able to provide needs for my family
• Be able to protect my family
• Appreciating ALL that we have been given (whether the clean air we breathe or the warm home we reside in)
• Learning to rely on myself and my inner circle of family
• Knowing that when I shut my eyes every night, that God had given me one more day to succeed
• Waking up every morning knowing God has given me one more day to succeed

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