This post is written in response to Chris Shaw's August 2026 IndieWeb Carnival prompt, Purpose.[1]
Purpose is an interesting construct. It can be assigned externally, as a concrete statement of utility ("the purpose of a hammer is to pound nails"); or internally, as a guiding principal of behavior ("my purpose in life is to provide for my family").
Purpose can be highly subjective and situational. You and I may have different views on the utility of a hammer, and that utility may depend on context. A hammer can be useful when building a cabinet, or useful in defending oneself from an attacker. We could try to generalize by saying that the purpose of a hammer is to hit something, but this doesn't always ring true.
Groups of humans may align in purpose. A nonprofit organization is created to feed the hungry. A community library is built to share knowledge. Groups may have many purposes, and they don't always harmonize. What is the purpose of government? Survey ten people, you may get ten different answers. There's that subjectivity again; it gets messy, fast.
Internally, purpose is ours alone to define. Purpose can give shape to intention, which in turn can drive direct and specific action. My purpose in life is to feel connected to others. The fulfillment of purpose starts with my intentions: community engagement, participation, an exchange of ideas. Intention is a basis for specific actions or behaviors: I attend a community townhall, an event at my child's school, or participate in an indieweb carnival.
Action without intention is random or impulsive. Intention without purpose may be misdirected or unsatisfying. Purpose unsupported it is little more than the foreshadowing of regret.
The recipe for fulfillment has only three ingredients, but you need them all: purpose, intention, and action. Combine in various quantities, and season to taste.
~nullish
Special thanks to Chris Shaw for hosting this month's carnival, and for suggesting this thought-provoking prompt.
[1]https://thoughts.uncountable.uk/august-2026-indieweb-carnival-purpose/
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