What are we here for?

A friend posted a very interesting question to me today. He asked if I know the reason for being here. Meaning, the reason for being born.

I gave him a rather stupid answer. I told him that we are all passer bys. We come. Stay for an average 70 years or so and then we'll leave. It's the best that I can think of. He asked further : do you know why you came then? and last for that 70 years?

I was struck dumbfounded. Yea man. What is the reason for me being a passerby? Or anyone else for that matter? Further thoughts on it suggested no absolute answers. Since no one is able to tell you the purpose for your existence, the best would be to define your own. Create a purpose for being here. Boy, is that a hard one! Especially when we do not have the gifts nor the talents to create a new drug for cancer or some new technique to stop earthquakes.

I hope we can do better that loitering. Eating. Studying. Playing. Travelling. Flirting. Catching up with the latest movies. Working hard. Getting successful careers. Earn big bucks. Re-producing. Nourishing the young. And let the whole cycle start all over again.

Is that all what we are here for?