Science and Theology News, November, 2004, by Frederica Saylor
Original article at www.stnews.org/news_essayists_1104.html

When scrubbing the bathroom floor or sharing an umbrella on a rainy day, most people don't think they're fulfilling their purpose in life. Purpose, they may say, refers to something greater—like ending suffering or running a multi-billion dollar corporation. Divining the meaning of their lives is something most struggle with, often not realizing that even in the smallest acts, purpose takes seed.

To spur people around the world to think about this idea, the Templeton Foundation sponsored "The Power of Purpose Awards: A Worldwide Essay Competition." In September, out of more than 7,300 entries from 97 countries, 19 winners were selected. (The Templeton Foundation also publishes Science & Theology News.)

Michael Reagan, president of Lionhart Books and managing director of the contest, said the competition was designed to illuminate the brightest aspects of individuals.

"The winners saw and gave examples of the best of the possibilities of human nature," he said.

"I think these days, when you say the world 'purpose,' it's being defined by these bestsellers, which I think is fine, but it shouldn't be that narrow," said Hugh Delehanty, editor in chief of AARP Publications and contest judge. "I think it's the possibility of touching someone's life in a deep way, and I think these stories can do that; they can inspire people."

Submissions were accepted in the categories of personal reflection, journalistic report, scientific inquiry and fiction. The judges—including Delehanty; Nancy Brinker, founder of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation; Paul Davies, a professor of natural philosophy at the Australian Centre for Astrobiology; Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund; and Rick Warren, author of The Purpose-Driven Life—then selected one grand prize winner, four second-prize winners, four third-prize winners and 10 fourth-prize winners.

August Turak, whose essay "Brother John" won first prize, said his story was one he'd been thinking about for more than 35 years. The contest finally prompted him to write it down, but he said he had no expectations of winning.

"The greatest thing that has happened with me since this award are the people who have written me, saying, 'My life's a mess, and your essay's given me hope,'" said Turak, a businessman and founder of the Self Knowledge Symposium. "To heck with $100,000—that's absolutely the most incredible thing that's come out of this."

Randall Frame, acquisitions editor for Judson Press, said his experience working with Haitian nuns whose purpose was to nurse and hold malnourished children motivated him to submit his essay.

"I just think people in our culture, especially, have gotten a lot more selfish when it comes to purpose," said Frame. "I think purpose is a lot more often defined as succeeding financially, and in business and power, as opposed to being defined as giving ourselves to others. We have lost sight of the fulfillment that can come from sacrifice and are too focused on the perception that purpose comes from wealth."

Inspired by a column she read about black women's organizations of the 1930s to 1950s, Elizabeth Orndorff composed her fictional essay about a woman whose service was to maintain a bathroom at a beauty parlor for black people.

"To me purpose is servanthood—our purpose toward God is serving others. So I remembered the story of these women that kept a bathroom," said Orndorff. "I hope that this will inspire [people] to see that purpose does not have to imply a lofty, huge, headline-gathering act. It can be the smallest, menial thing...If you can find a purpose in cleaning a bathroom, then you can find purpose in anything that serves other people."

Reagan said the winning essays will be published as a book. In the meantime, the pieces are available free of charge to any publication that wishes to reprint them.

"The idea here is to inspire," said Reagan.

Frederica Saylor is health editor at Science & Theology News.