Hugo Cabret

Tonight I finally saw Hugo! And of course, I loved it. What a wise 12 year old. While I definitely enjoyed the entire movie, there was a particular scene that stood out to me more than the others. Isabelle asked Hugo what her purpose is- and at first, he replies by saying "I don't know." Seconds later, he tells her to follow him. He brought her to the very top of the clock and explained to her how he likes to view the world as a machine because machines do not come with more pieces then it needs- a machine comes with everything it needs to function- nothing more, nothing less. Therefore, if the world is a machine, we are all a part of the world, and so, we each have a purpose for being here.

This scene provoked many thoughts for me. I definitely do not feel purposeless- I do truly believe that I am here for a reason. I guess the issue is, I am not quite sure what exactly that reason it. When I think about my life, currently, I feel satisfied. For the moment. I have many short term and long term goals and I think I am doing well in accomplishing my short term goals. Which is positive because achievement of my short term goals is what will aid me in achieving my long term goals.

I don't think most people realize, or even understand, how important it is for me to be what I am currently doing. I am so content going to school full time, working part time, and I am about to start volunteering at a domestic violence shelter in just a couple of weeks. The thing is, I am doing this effectively. I am taking care of myself, doing what I need to do to ensure that I remain in my wise mind, while maintaining other responsibilities. I don't want to add judgments to this, and at the same time, I am aware that many people don't see this as impressive because the majority of people can do what I am doing, and more. However, when I take comparisons out of the picture, and focus on me and my life, the significance becomes quite clear to me.

Sometimes I think that just like the achievement of short term goals help me reach my long term goals, perhaps we all have smaller purposes and the fulfillment of those smaller purposes bring us to the mastery of a larger purpose. I don't like to refer to purposes as small or large because I believe that everything and everyone has a purpose and that all of these purposes are equally significant. However, I also believe that maybe some purposes are more subtle to the human eye, while others make more bold of statements. I don't know though because I think that many times its the subtle aspects of life, or the facets that are perceived as little, that appear to have a strong influence on me. Perhaps purposes just have different ways of revealing themselves. Or perhaps the subtle purposes are what manifests the louder purposes.

If the world is a machine, like Hugo believes, every part of a machine works together to complete a specific task. If that is the case, then each and every step we take, each and every situation and person we encounter, will assist us in fulfilling our principal purpose. Maybe we are all connected and if we each aim toward fulfilling our individual purposes, we can together, master one, universal, purpose. So, instead of sitting here, analyzing every aspect of my life as an attempt to discover what my true purpose is, I am going to remain in this moment, and continue going about my days, striving to be the best me I can be. In order for me to even catch a glimpse of what my fundamental purpose is, I need to ensure that I am effective in mastering the footwork that will lead me there.