Noble Purpose

CATEGORY: REAL WORLD

Why:

Adolescents often have a strong sense of justice, which can transform into a deep sense of purpose oriented around helping others.

Warm-Up:

Can you think of a time when you acted selflessly, for someone else's benefit?

Exploration:

Soccer star Sadio Mané is famous for refusing to fix his cracked phone, despite earning a huge income as a professional athlete. His noble purpose is to help those in poverty in his country of origin, Senegal, and he would rather spend his money for that purpose. We each have the ability to help others, and when that gives us a sense of purpose, our lives become happier and more meaningful. Is there a cause that appeals to you, a way you could help the world in some way? Hint: look for something in the world that seems wrong to you. Start educating yourself about this issue. No matter how young you are, you can play a role in helping.

Additional Resources

Some students already have a strong sense for a "cause" that speaks to them. For others, they may be aware of an injustice that bothers them, like homelessness, but have not yet realized they can take action around it.

For still others, a "cause" may feel abstract, but they may have a personal passion and want others to enjoy it as well, for example through an art practice. Finally, some will find their cause through an inspiring example of someone fighting for justice, like Greta Thunberg and her work for environmental justice.