This thread is a variant of what is the purpose of life.
While karma is a well known eastern concept meaning cause and effect simultaneously, with a Biblical equivalent of what you sow is what you reap, there is no Biblical equivalent to dharma. Dharma is the work you were meant to do, one that is most beneficial to the world and satisfying for you.
As the Founding Father’s put front and center, our purpose is to pursue happiness, which is success, the progressive realization of worthy goals. This is highly individualized. While I set a lifetime of worthy goals for myself BEFORE I got out of high school, my circumstances changed in losing $1M in real estate during the Great Recession.
One can end it all, lament for life or establish new worthy goals. I chose the latter. Recently divorced right before retirement, I accepted my daughter’s invitation to relocate and live with her in taking care of my granddaughter. I told her she needs a wife. And I told this to her hubby, who is deployed until the end of next year.
Playing the role of wife, doing the easy work around the house, is very satisfying for me at my age and providential set of circumstances. I lived in a 3 generation household with my father’s father. My mother lived in a 3 generation household with her mother’s parents. I know how blessed I am to give my 5 yo granddaughter that experience and to deepen our relationship. Playing with her, hearing her giggle, gives me unspeakable joy. Praise God.
I’m now her primary caregiver when my daughter works, making sure she gets on the school bus, be there to get her off the school bus and throughout the day I do the needful: Cooking, cleaning, taking care of dogs, cats, chickens and most recently, a tree frog. I also made myself a list of home improvement ideas that I enjoy going over with my daughter. If she buys the supplies, I’ll do the labor. Beyond that, I don’t have a specific list of tasks I’m yearning to complete other than live to bring glory to God and hope this answers your question.
