Arthur C. Brooks tells how his son Carlos returned from the Marines with a marriage, deep friendships, and a clear answer to why he's alive: to serve others. Brooks argues that meaning comes from service, faith, and commitment to something larger than yourself, and that each person must forge their own path.
When my son Carlos came back from the U.S. Marine Corps, he had answers. He was living answers. What had he done in the Marine Corps? He'd had deep conversations all night long without devices. He had close friendships that he will hold for life, people that he truly loves. He fell in love with somebody and married her at the age of 22. He served others, even risking his life to do that. And in so doing, he found the meaning of his life. Here's his answer, I asked him when he came out of the service, "Son, why are you alive?" And he said, "Because God made me to serve others." For what would you give your life? I would give my life obviously for my faith and my family, but for my fellow Marines and for the United States of America. That's my boy. That's why he's happy. His path is not your path. His beliefs, his values are not your beliefs and not your values. You have to find your own, and that's the thrill. That's the fun in life. That's the journey that awaits.
