The purpose of life is to matter, to count, to stand for something, and to make a difference in this world we live in, even if it's only in the life of one other person. We have all asked from time to time: What is the meaning of life? What is the purpose of life?

Beethoven once played his latest sonata for a group of his friends. The music filled the room. As the last note lingered, the friends asked Beethoven, "What does it mean?" Beethoven's only answer was to return to the piano and play the entire sonata again. When he finished, he said to his friend. "That is what it means."

Someone saw this sign on a subway wall: "Life is one contradiction after another." Underneath someone else had written: "No it's not."

On a bulletin board someone found this cryptic message: "This life is a test. It is only a test. Had it been an actual life You would have received Further instructions on Where to go and what to do!"