INSPIRATIONAL STORIES AND PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
SOUGHT BY WORLDWIDE ESSAY COMPETITION

The contest, sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation, has been designed to encourage people to think about the benefits of noble purpose. Purpose may be defined as something more important than our simple survival, something not merely intellectual, but in our souls. It is something outside of ourselves, greater than individual human beings or even groups of people. Purpose can change public policy, define our relationship with nature and the cosmos, and inspire the spark that makes ordinary people do extraordinary things.

But finding that purpose, bringing it out, and putting it to extraordinary use can be some of the most tremendous challenges we face. Essays explaining one’s own internal development, either personally or professionally, and the role purpose has played in that development would constitute one type of structure for this type of essay.

A more public form of personal reflection—that is, a sermon—would also be welcome. These inspiring religious speeches, which have fallen out of favor as a literary form in the last number of decades, may provide entrants with a lively alternative to the more introspective personal essay.

Entrants may want to consider the idea of vocation. Traditionally a religious concept, in which men and women were literally supposed to find their “calling,” vocation has become an important notion for people of various faiths and spiritual beliefs who are trying to discover their natural talents and enjoyments. What kind of life gives you the most fulfillment? How do you know? How has your life changed since you discovered your own purpose? How have you changed the lives of others? As in all the genres, using concrete notions to clarify this difficult concept will be appreciated by the judges.

The distinguished panel of judges includes Nancy Brinker, Founder, The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation; Paul Davies, Professor of Natural Philosophy, Australian Centre for Astrobiology; Hugh Delehanty, Editor in Chief, AARP Publications; Marian Wright Edelman, President, Children’s Defense Fund; and Rick Warren, pastor and author of the 13 million copy bestseller The Purpose Driven Life.

There is no entry fee. The deadline for submissions is May 31, 2004. All entries must be submitted on the internet, in English, and must contain 3,500 words or less. The competition is sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation.