--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People want their reason for living to be…" description: "\"People want their reason for living to be a singular thing, like a career or a relationship, because this makes an individual feel secure in the physic..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aee/caroline-myss-1439_answers_people-want-their-reason-for-living-to-b_2546517.png" --- # People want their reason for living to be a singular… ![“People want their reason for living to be a singular thing, like a career or a relationship, because this makes an individual feel secure in the physical world. We don't fare well in the realm of the invisible - so telling someone that their purpose is multilayered and includes the arduous journey…” quote by Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aee/caroline-myss-1439_answers_people-want-their-reason-for-living-to-b_2546517.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aee/caroline-myss-1439_answers_people-want-their-reason-for-living-to-b_2546517.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aee/caroline-myss-1439_answers_people-want-their-reason-for-living-to-b_2546517.png) > “People want their reason for living to be a singular thing, like a career or a relationship, because this makes an individual feel secure in the physical world. We don't fare well in the realm of the invisible - so telling someone that their purpose is multilayered and includes the arduous journey of discovering who they really are is not always the answer they want to hear. But consider the complexity of the question: "What is my reason for living?" How can that question not include a journey into the depths of your own life?” [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People seek a single, concrete purpose for security, avoiding the complex, layered journey of self‑discovery. **In simple terms:** People want simple purpose, not complex self‑exploration. Key Takeaway Embrace multifaceted purpose. Themes purpose security self‑discovery identity complexity Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career counseling - therapy sessions - personal retreats - life coaching Key Concepts existentialism psychology spirituality Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of your life feel most secure? - How might embracing complexity enrich your sense of purpose? A Different Perspective Complex purpose can feel overwhelming and may cause anxiety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Complexity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complexity/) [Depth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depth/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Journey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journey/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Meaning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaning/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Realms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realms/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“The question is not, "Can they reason?" nor, "Can they talk?" but "Can they suffer?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-question-is-not-can-they-reason-nor-can-they-talk-but-can-they/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What is it that should trace the insuperable line? ...The question is not, Can they reason? nor Can they talk? but, Can they suffer?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-bentham/what-is-it-that-should-trace-the-insuperable-line-the-question-is-not/) [Jeremy Bentham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-bentham/) > [The question is not, 'Can they reason?' nor, 'Can they talk?' but rather, 'Can they suffer?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-bentham/the-question-is-not-can-they-reason-nor-can-they-talk-but-rather-can/) [Jeremy Bentham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-bentham/) > [“To question reason is to trust it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-stokes/to-question-reason-is-to-trust-it/) Mitch Stokes > [“Sometimes you know the answer to a question deep down but you ask the question for some other reason.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-dare-pearce/sometimes-you-know-the-answer-to-a-question-deep-down-but-you-ask-the/) [Allan Dare Pearce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-dare-pearce/) > [“We only know a tiny proportion about the complexity of the natural world. Wherever you look, there are still things we don’t know about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-attenborough/we-only-know-a-tiny-proportion-about-the-complexity-of-the-natural/) [David Attenborough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-attenborough/) > [''we're all borne for a natural reason, discovering your reason for living on earth is the ladder to your opportunity''](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-c/we-re-all-borne-for-a-natural-reason-discovering-your-reason-for/) Jonathan C > [If you're a leader, your whole reason for living is to help human beings develop - to really develop people and make work a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/if-you-re-a-leader-your-whole-reason-for-living-is-to-help-human/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [“I could just remember how my father used to say that the reason for living was to get ready to stay dead a long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-faulkner/i-could-just-remember-how-my-father-used-to-say-that-the-reason-for/) [William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/) > [Who wants to become a writer? And why? Because it's the answer to everything. ... It's the streaming reason for living. To note, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enid-bagnold/who-wants-to-become-a-writer-and-why-because-it-s-the-answer-to/) [Enid Bagnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enid-bagnold/) > [“I had no idea if my only reason for living could be saved”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tillie-cole/i-had-no-idea-if-my-only-reason-for-living-could-be-saved/) [Tillie Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tillie-cole/) > [“When you find your reason for living, hold on to it. Never let it go. Even if it means burning other bridges along the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abbi-glines/when-you-find-your-reason-for-living-hold-on-to-it-never-let-it-go/) [Abbi Glines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abbi-glines/) > [There is always a reason for that you are living for it just takes time to understand what it is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/there-is-always-a-reason-for-that-you-are-living-for-it-just-takes/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [“reason, then why were you still living with your father afterward? You didn’t move, did you?” I shook my head. “No, my father lost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annabel-chase/reason-then-why-were-you-still-living-with-your-father-afterward-you/) Annabel Chase > [“I am free: there is absolutely no more reason for living, all the ones I have tried have given way and I can’t imagine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul-sartre/i-am-free-there-is-absolutely-no-more-reason-for-living-all-the-ones/) [Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul-sartre/) ## More by Caroline Myss > [Your spirit is the part of you that seeks meaning and purpose. It's the part drawn to hope, that will not give in to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/your-spirit-is-the-part-of-you-that-seeks-meaning-and-purpose-it-s/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [“Manipulating or controlling others through the use of one's illness or suffering,for example,was-and remains-extremely effective for people who find they cannot be direct in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/manipulating-or-controlling-others-through-the-use-of-one-s-illness/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [Being of service is not an option, it is a biological necessity. Every kind of action we do for someone is a reanimation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/being-of-service-is-not-an-option-it-is-a-biological-necessity-every/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [In general, if a couple cannot expand their original rules and boundaries to accommodate personal growth, the relationship disintegrates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/in-general-if-a-couple-cannot-expand-their-original-rules-and/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [If you have life, you have purpose. It can't be otherwise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/if-you-have-life-you-have-purpose-it-can-t-be-otherwise/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [Intuitive guidance means having the self-esteem to recognize that the discomfort or confusion that a person feels is actually directing him to take charge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/intuitive-guidance-means-having-the-self-esteem-to-recognize-that-the/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [If you don't appreciate what you have in life right now, whatever it is, you will never realize your purpose. Without appreciation, you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/if-you-don-t-appreciate-what-you-have-in-life-right-now-whatever-it/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [Becoming adept at the process of self inquiry and symbolic insight is a vital spiritual task that leads to the growth of faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/becoming-adept-at-the-process-of-self-inquiry-and-symbolic-insight-is/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [One atom is as purposeful as our planet. What is in one is in the whole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/one-atom-is-as-purposeful-as-our-planet-what-is-in-one-is-in-the-whole/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [We #fear our intuitions because we fear the transformational power within our revelations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/we-fear-our-intuitions-because-we-fear-the-transformational-power/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [It is your birthright to discover your sacred contract. It will guide you to find your divine destiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/it-is-your-birthright-to-discover-your-sacred-contract-it-will-guide/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [We have converted our wounds into a type of relationship currency that we use in order to control situations and people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/we-have-converted-our-wounds-into-a-type-of-relationship-currency/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [The love that flows through your heart purifies not only your own spirit, but the love you share with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/the-love-that-flows-through-your-heart-purifies-not-only-your-own/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [Your body is your own planet Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/your-body-is-your-own-planet-earth/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [Whenever you become empowered, you will be tested.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/whenever-you-become-empowered-you-will-be-tested/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) [Explore all 241 Caroline Myss quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) ## More Answers quotes > [The one thing that I keep learning over and over again is that I don't know nothing. I mean, that's my life lesson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/the-one-thing-that-i-keep-learning-over-and-over-again-is-that-i-don/) [Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/) > [Sometimes a question can hurt more than an answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/sometimes-a-question-can-hurt-more-than-an-answer/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [You feed yourself. Make sure you have all the information, whether it's aesthetic, scientific, mathematical, I don't care what it is. Then you walk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/you-feed-yourself-make-sure-you-have-all-the-information-whether-it-s/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [I have long felt that the way to keep children out of trouble is to keep them interested in things. Lecturing to children is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/i-have-long-felt-that-the-way-to-keep-children-out-of-trouble-is-to/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [“As long as you keep searching,the answers will come.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kynock/as-long-as-you-keep-searching-the-answers-will-come/) [Mitch Kynock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kynock/) > [The answer to deep anxiety is the deep adoration of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/the-answer-to-deep-anxiety-is-the-deep-adoration-of-god/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [A dialogue is very important. It is a form of communication in which question and answer continue till a question is left without an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/a-dialogue-is-very-important-it-is-a-form-of-communication-in-which/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [There is a comfort in rituals, and rituals provide a framework for stability when you are trying to find answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-norville/there-is-a-comfort-in-rituals-and-rituals-provide-a-framework-for/) [Deborah Norville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-norville/) > [A religious person answers to God, not to the elected or non-elected official.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/a-religious-person-answers-to-god-not-to-the-elected-or-non-elected/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [Instead of asking a girl how she feels, try looking through her recently listened to songs. The lyrics are the answer to all your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-asking-a-girl-how-she-feels-try-looking-through-her/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For someone to ask 'Who did you play for' and to be able to answer a single name 'Liverpool' that would be brilliant...I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-carragher/for-someone-to-ask-who-did-you-play-for-and-to-be-able-to-answer-a/) [Jamie Carragher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-carragher/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) > [Enjoying life isn't about finding the answers, but living the questions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-margolis/enjoying-life-isn-t-about-finding-the-answers-but-living-the-questions/) [Sue Margolis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-margolis/) Browse all 7,843 Answers quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "People want their reason for living to be a singular thing, like a career or a relationship, because this makes an individual feel secure in the physical world. 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