Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with purpose

What is the Purpose of this Structure?

Effigy2000 — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:16:17 -0800

Does anyone have any idea what this structure is, or what its purpose might be? More pics and information past the break. My fiancee and I have driven past this this thing on our way into work for the last couple of years and we've often wondered what this structure's purpose in life is. I'm hoping Metafilter might finally be able to provide us with an answer.

Some info I can give you is that this structure, which looks sort of like the words most painful waterslide, is situated in the suburb of Oxley in Queensland, Australia. It's located next to a Harvey Norman store (a white goods and furniture store) but as this view on Google Maps shows, the store is only new whereas this structure has been there far longer than that, so I'm certain it has nothing to do with the store. A couple of salespeople I asked at the store had no idea what it was either and wanted to know what it was themselves! And if that wasn't enough evidence, these pictures show that it's fenced off from the store on a whole other property, which I think must be a farm because this picture shows some cows standing near the structure. That last picture also shows some rubble which may or may not be related to the structure's purpose.

Our theories are that it could be some kind of artistic structure, but it's in a semi-industrial area so that seems unlikely. It might have something to do with aviation (there's a small airport nearby) but if so, I don't know how it relates.

Here's one last picture and a street view for your further consideration. Any idea what this thing might be? Or what its purpose might be? Please help put our enquiring minds at ease!

Why be friends after a breakup?

RajahKing — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:23:10 -0800

After a breakup that is not mutual, what is the purpose of staying friends with the person who dumped you? I am curious to hear your opinions, in regards to personal growth/health/happiness, as to why it may be a good or bad practice to stay friends with exes.

My story that generated the question is simply that I was dumped recently after a ten month relationship (in an entirely appropriate way) but I miss her and feel hurt, and right now I can’t imagine why I would or should put myself through the pain of ever seeing her as a friend. She seems to desire friendship. We move in separate social circles so avoiding her is not difficult. On the other hand, a friendship would be feasible in the sense that we live close to each other and participate in similar team activities.

I am in my early thirties, have had a normal amount of relationships, and in fact remember being friends with exes in the past (usually as a result of mutual breakups). But I am not asking about my situation in particular; I know I need a lot of space right now to get over it, lick my wounds, and maybe down the road I’ll feel differently. The question is more about the purposefulness and/or personal growth aspects.

So, do you think there is a purposeful reason, for personal growth, happiness, or otherwise, to be open to post-relationship friendship?

This is my first question for AskMeFi, I hope its appopriate vis a vis the guidelines - thanks.

When the future is everything, how do you deal with it being put on hold?

Anonymous — Mon, 26 May 2008 15:20:52 -0800

I tire of the summer hiatus from academia. I live with a very strong work ethic and moral sense of duty that causes me a sort of existential crisis when my life seems to be put on hold. This feeling cannot be ignored, and cannot (seem to) be reconciled. Do you have similar experiences? I'd love to hear stories... I'm a 21 year-old university student, majoring in psychology, with a whole lot of ambition, and a genuine lust for knowledge, transcendence, and the betterment of man.

I spend most of my time during the school year working incredibly hard in academia because I thoroughly enjoy it, and feel it is the best way I could possibly spend my time to meet the above moral ambitions. When I'm not working on academics, I'm working on making money because I am a poor college student with ~$30,000 in debt and I scrape to live paycheck-to-paycheck while putting some away to pay this off. These are pretty much the only two ways my time is spent (I admit to kicking back at night with the occasional movie with my girlfriend who is very much like me, or videogame, or leisurely book).

The thing is, even during the summer when, apart from work (which is a mere 25 hrs a week), I have all the time in the world, I just can't seem put away my tireless work ethic that I've spent the other 8 months living with to the side and relax. I get restless about wasting time, so I spend some of it reading non-fiction literature, and the rest wondering how I should spend my time.

I feel like I'm isolated from the world and contributing nothing to it, which is is partly true because as a university town it empties out during the summer when everyone else goes home, but with my on-campus job I can't do the same.

I'm not looking for psychological advice, or "go see a therapist" comments. This is a completely different matter. Have you been in a similar situation at all? I imagine I'm not the only one who takes the future and academia so seriously. How do you console yourself during the restless period of the summer?

Have you been in this same mental space and read a book that turned your world on its head? I'd love to hear some recommendations or similar stories.

Movie clips for sermon illustration

kraigory — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 23:27:35 -0800

Sermon Illustration (preferably a movie) for questioning the meaning/purpose of life, or the idea of having a "new life" or renewed spirit. I'm doing a message at my church and I'm having difficulty coming up with a movie clip or something to illustrate the message. I am introducing the message by asking about the meaning of life, and it'd be cool to have some movie clip to show where the meaning or purpose of life was questioned. AND, i'm talking about having a "newness of life"- "I have come so that you may have life, and have it abundantly" - Jesus. So, any clip (like a humorous clip) where someone felt they had a new life, or were renewed. Or even where someone falsely thought they were, and ended up finding out they weren't. (I picture an old lady thinking she is young again, jumping out of her wheelchair and dancing around, only to fall to the ground quite quickly, or something like that).

Any ideas? Thanks!

life purpose frustrations

workinprogress — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 08:00:38 -0800

What is my life purpose? Am I currently living it but am too ungrateful to realize it? More inside... [LONG]... I am a 29-year old, Hispanic, gay female. I am an attorney and working as in-house counsel for an international beauty products manufacturer. I oversee the litigated matters for the company ranging from products liability, employment, environmental and regulatory matters.

I am currently in a 4-year relationship with a woman who has a 5 year old son (she is in the middle of a custody dispute with the biological father after the child informed a therapist that his father was touching his genitals and licking his ear and face). We live in a very conservative part of Florida (north Florida). We have a very good relationship in that we get along very well, sharing similar interests. I am also very involved in her son’s life and he lovingly refers to us as his “two mommies.” I am originally from southern California (since the age of 18) and my partner is from South Florida.

I have been a practicing attorney since 2002 having worked in bankruptcy and the title insurance industry. I don’t feel like the law is my “passion” but I don’t know what else I would be doing with my life. I went to law school because I didn’t know what else I wanted to do with my life and I felt I had to do something. My only other hobbies are reading and baking. I really enjoy baking. I try to do so every chance I get. Many have suggested I open my own business. On the other hand, my parents think that the next logical step for me is to open my own law office. While that seems practical, I don’t know if I want to do law for the rest of my life. My current job is OK considering that my boss is in Europe. Nevertheless, he micromanages everything me and my colleagues do. This really stifles how I do my job. I am not really learning anything as I have to go to him for every step I take in any given case I am handling. His main concern is maintaining the department budget as low as possible. He does not understand that litigation in the US is very expensive and very slow. My salary is close to $80K/yr.

I don’t really like where I live as it does not have many things to do for fun and is not the most “open” environmental for someone in my situation. The upside is that I live near my parents and sisters but my sisters do not plan to stay here for a long time as they feel like me about this city. This city is more like a stepping stone in my future. I would really like to live in California but I know it is very expensive. However, I think I could be paid more over there considering I have 4 years of working experience as an attorney. Also, with this custody dispute going on and the presence of the father (who, coincidentally, was not in the child’s life until my partner met me) in the picture, I am sure my partner will be restricted as to where she can move with her son. I would consider living in South Florida (anywhere but Miami) but salaries are generally so low in Florida! Also, I don’t know how successful I would be in finding a job I really enjoy down there. The main problem is: what is my ideal job? I hate litigation, I am a good communicator both verbally and in writing, I am a team player (not competitive like the typical lawyer) and a hard worker. I enjoy working in-house as I don’t have to worry about billable hours and the competitiveness of the big firms. It is also a lot more laid back than the stuffiness of big firms. However, I want to be in a place where I can learn new skills, hopefully be mentored and feel inspired by what I am doing or at least feel like I am making some kind of contribution. I don’t really know what my life purpose is or where I am headed in life. Anyone have any advice for someone in my situation? Should I stick to what I have been doing up to now and be grateful for what I have? I sometimes feel like I am never satisfied and probably never will be instead of being thankful of the things I already have in my life. Like my mom always tells me,”Nothing is perfect.” Is my life pretty good that I should stop complaining? If so, why do I feel like I am missing my true path in life? I always feel like there is something bigger and better out there for me.

Are we just wasting our time?

randomthoughts — Sat, 09 Sep 2006 17:46:11 -0800

What do the various religions around the world suggest we should be doing with our time? Sometimes I feel like I am just wasting my life away and was wondering what exactly the major religions say or suggest us humans should do with our time on this planet?