The Evolution of Purpose: Finding the True Meaning of Life

Childhood Dreams: Boundless and Bright

There comes a point in everyone’s life, when our perceptions of purpose, goals, and the very essence of what life means to us will inevitably evolve. For many, this journey is not just about change, but also growth, understanding, and enlightenment, the culmination of which invariably leads us to ask ourselves the question, “What is the meaning of your life?”

When we are children, our dreams are unbridled, powerful, and vivid. The prospect of becoming an astronaut or the hero who saves the world is not just a whimsical fantasy but a genuine aspiration. As young adults, we continue to nurture these dreams, often in defiance of the grim realities that gradually unfold around us.

I remember even as late as my early 20s, when I was still a medical student at Barts and The London, sitting in West Smithfield Library and drifting into daydreams of returning to Kurdistan and liberating my people from the clutches of hardship, oppression, and dictatorship. In my heart, I truly believed that with the right team, and the right spirit, I could achieve this, and in so doing, I would bestow upon my people the freedoms, justice, and the nation they truly deserved.

The Inevitable Shift in Perspective

Yet, as the inexorable hands of time ticked on, realities shifted, and my dreams began to waver. Wars back home raged, one after the other, unending and unreflecting… and setbacks mounted, and plans were perpetually postponed. By the time I reached my early thirties, a realisation dawned upon me – perhaps I was holding onto the dreams of a past self, a younger version that saw the world through a different lens. Finally, I realised that I was too old to keep dreaming and it was time to face reality.

Facing this reality, however, was not about abandoning my values, principles, or ideals. It was about aligning them with the person I had grown into and become. The once burning desire to be a 'saviour' transformed into a profound need to redefine my purpose. And then, amidst this whirlwind of introspection, a singular question reverberated within me: “What is the meaning of your life?”

A Personal Transformation: From Saviour to Supporter

As I grappled with this question, I realised that age and experiences had reshaped my understanding of purpose. The dreams of leadership and altruism, while noble, were replaced by simpler yet equally profound aspirations: to be a supportive and devoted husband, a loving father, a beacon for my children, and a leader within my community, the same community that had made me the person that I am today.

In other words, I needed to face the fact that my early childhood dreams would not come to fruition, and that life was not as simple as me stepping into it and offering myself and all that I am, and then expecting the world to simply appreciate, understand and support in my mission. And what is precisely my mission?

Rediscovering Myself: Service and Community

Now you might be thinking ‘I don’t have time for this… I need to get on with my work… there’s no time for all this reflection and introspection’… This was precisely my mindset when I was still working towards my dreams… But today, having realised that I have indeed achieved my dreams and that they were not the same dreams as I thought I had or indeed needed to have, I now face these very same questions and the urgent need to reflect on the meaning of my life and mission is upon me.

My mission evolved into serving my community, the one that welcomed me when I left my homeland, and striving to be an exemplary human being.

In redefining my purpose, I discovered that the meaning of life is not static. It grows, matures, and sometimes even transforms entirely based on our experiences and realisations.

This has been the essence of my life journey thus far. It's more than just a question of purpose; it's a testament to evolution, growth, and the relentless human spirit.

Now, as you reflect upon your own path, I pose the same question to you:

What is the meaning of your life?

Dr Sertip Zangana MBBS PGCert MREs MAcadMEd FHEA MRSB FRSA