What it means to live a life of purpose in modern times

In today’s busy, noisy world, it’s easy to feel like we’re just surviving instead of truly living. And while we now have more tools to connect with one another, phones, Facebook, WhatsApp, social media, many people report feeling more alone than ever. Studies show that despite being constantly “online,” loneliness, anxiety, and depression are on the rise. We see more division, more anger, more discrimination. In a world so connected, we are, in many ways, more disconnected than ever.

That’s exactly why living with intention matters now more than ever. Purpose doesn’t come from the number of messages on your phone or likes on a post, it comes from how we choose to show up each day. Choosing presence over distraction. Kindness over convenience. Faith over fear.

To live a life of purpose means choosing to move through your day with intention. It means being present, not perfect. It’s about aligning your choices, big and small, with your values, your faith, and the kind of life you want to leave behind.

For our comunidad, living intentionally often starts with remembering where we come from. Our abuelas and abuelos may not have talked about “mindfulness” or “purpose,” but they lived it, by caring for others, praying without fail, and finding joy in the little things.

Today, that might look like choosing to unplug during dinner, saying no to things that drain your energy, or carving out time each morning to pray and plan. It might mean working a job that provides for your family, but also engaging or serving in your parish or checking in on a neighbor.

Living with purpose doesn’t require a fancy title or a perfect home. It’s about waking up and asking: “How can I be a blessing today?”

And it’s also about coming together. Host a community potluck. Volunteer with your church or a local shelter. Start a WhatsApp group just to pray for one another. Check in on someone who’s been quiet lately. These acts may seem small, but they create ripples of love in a world that desperately needs it.

When we align our lives with our faith, our values, and our gifts, we not only feel more fulfilled, we become a light for others. And that is at the heart of living a vida noble.