Let’s take a look at the humble photon for a moment - a quantum packet of energy.
In the visible wavelength (light), photons are 100 to 250 times smaller than a human hair.
They have no physical mass, they move without hesitation, without resistance, without question.
However, they have an incredible amount of purpose.
They carry light and heat, they drive photosynthesis in plants, and our own production of Vitamin D; necessary for our organs to function, the strength of our bones, the function of our muscles - without it, our bodies would literally fall apart.
If photons disappeared right now, the consequences would be catastrophic.
We would fall into complete darkness, Earth would freeze over almost immediately.
Even if we survived that, we would be completely blind, plants would die, livestock would starve and the food chain would collapse.
Oxygen levels would drop, the atmosphere would collapse, and even matter itself - DNA, proteins, water and all other molecules would cease to exist.
The fundamental building blocks of the universe are held together by photons, they enable the very existence of everything.
They are so important, in fact, that in the story of Genesis; they were the first thing God spoke into existence:
“Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.”
Now, whether you choose to place your faith in God, science, or both; one thing is quite clear.
The humble photon is foundational for all of existence - so if you’ve ever been called a ‘ray of sunshine,’ that’s pretty damn profound.
What else might we learn from the photon? Well, its primary utility (even if it’s unaware) is to enable all of existence. But, it serves many, many functions:
Enable photosynthesis - the foundation of the food chain.
Regulate Earth’s climate by providing warmth and energy.
Drive biological functions (circadian cycles, vitamin D production).
Allow humans to see and navigate the world.
Enable colour perception and depth awareness.
Power internet, radio, TV, and satellites.
Enable medical imaging (X-rays, MRIs, laser surgeries).
Enable the transfer of energy across space and time.
And much, much more.
But the point here is this; its utility is contextual.
A photon can feed a plant, but it can also warm your face while you drink a coffee with your partner.
It can allow you to receive life-saving medical treatment, or power the solar panels on your roof.
It can help you to explore the universe, or light the room for you to read a bed-time story to your child.
All photons share the same fundamental nature, but much like humans - the impact they have on the world is determined by their wavelength, and where they are.
So if something as simple, as fundamental as a photon - a packet of energy, can have an incomprehensible number of functions, which one is actually its purpose?
If everything they do is their purpose, why would a physiologically, emotionally, spiritually and psychologically complex human have just one?
In just one day, we could:
Be a caring friend.
Be a loving parent.
Be an inspiring leader.
Protect our loved ones.
Be an empathetic listener.
Or just give someone the smile they need to get through their day.
These could all be a purpose, but our true purpose is much simpler than that.
We have to ask; what are we really called to do, at the most basic, fundamental level?
See, just as the Earth was once formless and void, our lives can feel that way too.
And just as God said; “let there be light,” we are called to declare: “Let there be love!”
Just as photons are the great enabler of existence, love is the great enabler of humanity.
The same way that a photons purpose is to deliver its energy, our purpose is to deliver our love.
This isn’t some airy-fairy, palatable version of love either; for some people, love will be raising their kids well, being inspiring leaders and empathetic listeners.
For others, it will be fighting bloody battles on the frontlines for the advancement of peace.
For others still, self-love is what will hold them together when they would otherwise fly apart, like photons do for molecules.
Our purpose isn’t in how we love, it’s that we do love - so if you live a loving life, congratulations; your purpose is already being fulfilled.
However, unlike photons, we are self-aware.
Photons are ejected from their source at or near the speed of light, only finding their utility once they reach their destination.
They don’t get to choose whether that’s warming a childs face, reflecting off the surface of the ocean, or being blasted into the vacuum of space.
We get to choose.
We decide if and where our love is delivered.
So that begs the question; where should we deliver our love?
The answer is quite simple - wherever our particular wavelength of love is most needed.
Which, inevitability is to another living being.
You can appreciate, enjoy, or be in awe of material possessions - but you can’t love them.
Our love is most needed in the alleviation of others suffering.
Just as light pushes back against darkness, so love pushes back against suffering.
Darkness still exists, make no mistake - there are some spots in the universe that no amount of light can illuminate.
Our task is to find the dark places that our love can illuminate.
Light will never fully erase dark, and love will never fully erase suffering - yet the photons still relentlessly carry on with their purpose, as should we.
Like photons sustaining and nourishing plants, our love sustains and nourishes people.
So, we should not ask what is my purpose?
But: where should I direct my purpose?
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Purpose/meaning is the avoid/approach mechanism in all forms of life. Photons are not life.