The Power Of Purpose E-LETTER

As we closed the contest on May 31, we felt a sense of great gratitude. The overwhelming response from 97 countries and all 50 United States has made us very proud. Because of your participation, something wonderful and empowering took place.

The thousands and thousands of essays received have fully investigated life’s most fundamental issue—the question of purpose, and its powerful effect on our lives, our families, our nations, and our world. If our greatest global problem is spiritual emptiness—living without meaning and purpose—raising awareness through this new prize has been worth it tenfold.

You have shared your innermost thoughts and feelings. You have generated all kinds of unique styles to express purpose and explain why it is important to you. Some of you wrote about purpose implicitly, others merely wove it loosely into the essay. For many of you, purpose is quite clear; to others, purpose is an ongoing question:

Why do we feel the need to explore outer space when so much is
needed on earth?
Why is nuclear war still a possibility: don’t we know better now?
Is saving ones own life from a tragedy more important than saving
a loved one?
Why does even the smallest act of kindness reap so many powerful rewards?
How many generations will it take to truly eradicate prejudice?

We cannot close this competition without saluting Sir John Templeton, whose vision made this project possible. Templeton’s goal has been nothing less than to provide a vehicle for discovery, creativity and expression. Through his encouragement, you found the time, the talent and the energy to write an essay.

A great inspiration. Remarkable impact. Extraordinary outreach.