Why Are We Here?

            Are we all here for some specific, predetermined purpose? Or are we merely stumbling through life randomly bumping into new experiences and new people? There are those of us who do not believe that a God has chosen their path, and that they are the ultimately in control of their own destiny. Others, however, believe that we are simply tools of the almighty used much like the brushes of a painter working on his life’s masterpiece.

            One such character who believes the latter is Jasmine, from the book by Bharati Mukherjee. She was brought up in India believing in Karma and reincarnation; the belief that good actions are repaid in kind, and that we live many lives in many forms. “…The Lord lends us a body, gives us an assignment, and sends us down. When we get the job done, the Lord calls us home again for the next assignment.” This is how she is able to deal with all the adversity and misfortune in her life. As she speaks of her father, who was gored by a bull after getting off a bus, perhaps his assignment was to crush a piece of gravel and that upon completion God called him home. Or perhaps is assignment was to face an early death, so that Jasmine would have the opportunity to marry who she wishes and travel to America.

            On the other end of the spectrum is her lover Taylor in New York. A man of science, he can not imagine a world in which an individual could exist to serve so small a purpose when man is capable of so much. In his words, “Where’s the incentive to do anything?” While she doesn’t portray her rebuttal aloud, we are enlightened with the notion that one should strive to do the best in all their actions, for they don’t know what it is that they have been chosen to do.

            I believe that this idea is much tougher for many Americans to comprehend. We are constantly bombarded with stories of pointless violence on the news. Everyday, a new electronic gismo makes life even easier and causes us to think less. And let’s face it, for the most part life is a popularity contest where most of us do and buy anything and everything possible in order to fit in and be likes. The notion that is bodies are shells of a soul that has lived several lives sounds foolish to most. Jasmine believes differently however, and that to decorate one’s “shell” with make up or fancy clothes is somewhat funny to her. No one can know which theory is right, but I’d like to think that if we all did our best in every action that we took we would find more satisfaction in our own lives.

-Truth