Have you ever wondered why you are here? Why, out of all the possibilities in the universe, you exist in this moment, on this path? You were put on this earth with a divine purpose, one that you may not fully understand today or even years from now. And that’s okay. The plan exists whether or not you can see it. If you could see it, you might not recognize the road to get there. The path is not a straight line; it bends, it twists, it sometimes disappears entirely, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, life surprises you.

Your purpose is not just in the big moments—it is found in the way you move through your days. It is in how you treat people, how you respond to challenges, and how you carry yourself when no one is watching. The simple, ordinary moments are not so ordinary when you realize they are all pieces of something greater. A kind word, a patient heart, a willingness to listen—these are not just small acts. They are the threads that weave together the life you were meant to live.

During high school, the great running back Saquon Barkley won a gold medal in the 100-meter dash. During one of the girl’s races, a runner finished first, but due to a mistake with the clock, the officials required the race to be run again. The girl didn’t win the second time. Barkley, recognizing the unfairness, went to her and gave her his gold medal, saying, “You deserve this.” You can’t tell me that this wasn’t Barkley’s purpose that day. His purpose wasn’t about winning—it was about recognizing and honoring someone else’s effort and dignity.

Sometimes we think that we are only put on this earth for one reason, even though we don’t know what it is. But the truth is that our purpose is fulfilled every day. We were put on this earth today, and our purpose may be different than it will be tomorrow. You don’t have to look for this grand, end-of-life purpose. No, your purpose is a culmination of a million things you do over the course of your life.

Your grandmother Cookie is a great example. I’m certain that one of her purposes is to make people feel good through her kindness. I write this from Madrid, where last year Cookie gave a bracelet—just a simple $10 gift—to a woman named Mar who works at the front desk and another to a woman named Rosa who works the breakfast shift. She simply told these ladies how great they were and how much they helped make her trip special. When we arrived this year, Mar immediately recognized her and gave her a big hug, and the next morning, Rosa embraced Cookie as if she had just reunited with a long-lost friend. For that moment, that was her purpose. Do you see the point?

There will be days when you wonder if what you do matters. There will be times when you feel lost, when your efforts seem futile, when you question whether you are moving in the right direction. But the purpose is there, even when you can’t see it. Your job is not to have all the answers. Your job is to keep going, to stay open, to trust that each step matters even when the destination is unclear. The only way to reach your purpose is to keep moving forward, even when the way is uncertain.

You have been given a finite amount of time on this earth, and it is not to be wasted. Every minute is an opportunity. Chase the good things. Pursue knowledge, love, kindness, growth. Spend your days creating, learning, sharing. Be grateful for what you have, and don’t just feel gratitude—express it. Gratitude is not just a thought; it is an action, a way of living that acknowledges the beauty of life even in its imperfection.

Reaching your divine purpose is not about waiting for something to happen to you. It is a formula made up of effort, of taking what you have been given and making the most of it. Your talents are gifts, and you honor them by using them well. But effort alone is not enough. You must also learn to forgive yourself. Life will bring mistakes, failures, and disappointments. When they come, don’t dwell. Flush them away, let them go, and move on. So what, now what? The past cannot be changed, but the future is always within your hands.

Take time for self-reflection and prayer. These are the moments when you reconnect with your soul, when you listen to the quiet wisdom inside you. Life moves fast, but slowing down to reflect is how you make sure you are truly living and not just moving through the motions. Care for others not just in grand gestures, but in the small, daily ways that show people they matter. Nurture your soul by living authentically, by being honest with yourself, and by staying true to your values even when it is hard.

Be gentle with yourself and others. Be generous with your time, your kindness, your attention. Listen more than you speak. Pay attention to the opportunities that come your way. They may not always look the way you expect them to, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t the right ones. Every day is new. If yesterday was great, wonderful. But today is a new challenge, and tomorrow will be another one. You don’t get to coast on past success. The rent is due every day. The work of living with purpose never stops, but neither do the rewards.

I want you to know that Pop really only cared about one thing—trying to do the right thing for everyone, including myself, every day. And sure, I have made mistakes. But I have no regrets, and you shouldn’t either. Life is too short for regret; learn from your past, but don’t let it weigh you down. While I want you chasing success, however you define it, you must be careful once you start getting to the top of whatever mountain you are climbing. Remember that poison is always drunk in golden cups. Stay humble, stay aware, and never lose sight of what truly matters.

There is an endless capacity for love but not an endless capacity for hate. We can only dislike and hate so much before it takes over our lives. But love is different. The more love you have and express, the better life becomes. It is impossible to have too much love or to be loved too much. Love expands, it strengthens, and it heals. Make sure that love is what fills your heart, not bitterness or resentment. The more you give, the more you will receive in return.

The road ahead is unknown, and that is part of the beauty of it. Walk it with faith, with effort, with kindness, and with courage. Trust that each step, no matter how small, is taking you exactly where you are meant to be.