Introduction
As I sit down to write this reflective piece in preparation for my term end essay on One’s Existence, I find myself opening up in a way I rarely do, even to my closest confidant. Studying the National Service Training Program (NSTP) has not only equipped me with practical skills and civic responsibility but has also prompted profound introspection about my purpose in life. This essay, therefore, serves as both a personal exploration and an academic exercise, weaving my emotional journey with the structured analysis expected of an undergraduate paper. In the context of NSTP, which emphasises service, leadership, and community engagement, I aim to explore how my purpose aligns with these values. I will reflect on my personal aspirations, the influence of NSTP on my worldview, and how societal and academic insights shape my understanding of existence. Through this discussion, I hope to uncover a clearer sense of direction, one that resonates with both my heart and the principles I’ve embraced through my studies. This piece is structured around my personal motivations, the transformative impact of NSTP, and the broader societal implications of finding purpose, culminating in a reflective conclusion on my ongoing journey.
My Personal Motivations: A Search for Meaning
Dear friend, if I’m honest, I’ve often felt a quiet restlessness about where I fit in the grand scheme of things. Growing up, I was taught that purpose is tied to achievement—good grades, a stable job, a family to care for. Yet, as I’ve matured, especially through my university journey, I’ve begun to question whether such a linear path truly defines who I am. Studying NSTP has nudged me to reconsider purpose as something beyond personal gain; it’s about contribution, about leaving a small but meaningful impact on others. I recall moments from my childhood—helping a neighbour with chores or volunteering at a local event—where I felt a fleeting but profound sense of fulfilment. These experiences linger in my mind as I try to articulate what drives me now.
My motivations, I’ve realised, are deeply tied to connection. I yearn to be part of something larger, to build bridges between people, to serve in a way that matters. This aligns with the core aims of NSTP, which seeks to foster civic consciousness and community development (Department of Education, 2002). However, I often grapple with self-doubt—am I equipped to make a difference? This internal conflict is, arguably, a universal one. As Maslow (1943) suggests in his hierarchy of needs, once basic requirements like safety and belonging are met, humans naturally seek self-actualisation—a state where purpose and potential converge. For me, this search feels both exhilarating and daunting, a personal odyssey I’m still navigating.
The Transformative Impact of NSTP on My Worldview
Participating in NSTP has been a turning point, reshaping how I perceive my role in society. The program, rooted in the Philippine model but widely discussed in global civic education contexts, emphasises active citizenship through community service, disaster preparedness, and leadership training (Department of Education, 2002). I’ve spent hours engaging in community outreach, from clean-up drives to educational workshops for underprivileged youth, and each activity has chipped away at my earlier, more self-focused understanding of purpose. I remember one particular day teaching basic literacy skills to children in a rural area; their eager smiles, despite their hardships, stirred something deep within me. It wasn’t just about imparting knowledge—it was about shared humanity, a mutual exchange of hope.
This aligns with academic discourse on service learning, which argues that such programs cultivate empathy and social responsibility. According to Eyler and Giles (1999), service learning bridges theoretical knowledge with real-world application, fostering personal growth alongside civic awareness. Indeed, NSTP has pushed me to evaluate my privileges and responsibilities. I’ve begun to see purpose not as a singular, fixed destination but as an evolving commitment to others. Yet, I must admit, there are limitations to this transformation. At times, the scale of societal issues—poverty, inequality, disaster vulnerability—feels overwhelming. How can one person, or even a program like NSTP, address such entrenched problems? This tension reflects a broader critique of service programs, which sometimes offer only surface-level impact without systemic change (Mitchell, 2008). Still, I hold on to the belief that small, consistent efforts contribute to a collective good, even if the results aren’t immediately visible.
Societal Influences and the Broader Context of Purpose
Beyond personal experiences, I’ve come to understand that purpose is also shaped by societal expectations and cultural narratives, something I’ve explored through NSTP’s focus on national identity and collective welfare. In many societies, including the UK, where civic engagement is increasingly encouraged through programs like the National Citizen Service (NCS), purpose is often framed as a balance between individual aspirations and communal duties (Cabinet Office, 2011). I’ve found myself reflecting on how my purpose might fit into this framework. For instance, could my desire to connect with others translate into a career in community development or disaster response, areas central to NSTP’s mission? Or am I meant to serve in quieter, less visible ways, perhaps through advocacy or education?
This intersection of personal and societal purpose is complex. Durkheim’s work on social solidarity, for instance, suggests that individual meaning is derived from integration into a collective, a concept echoed in NSTP’s emphasis on community (Durkheim, 1897/1951). However, I sometimes feel torn between societal expectations and my inner voice. There’s a pressure to conform to predefined roles—provider, leader, achiever—yet NSTP has taught me that purpose can also emerge from grassroots actions, from simply being present for those in need. Furthermore, global challenges like climate change and social inequality, often discussed in NSTP modules, remind me that purpose today must be forward-thinking. As the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights in its reports on sustainable development, individual actions must align with broader goals for a healthy, equitable future (WHO, 2015). This perspective humbles me; my purpose, however small, must contribute to these larger battles.
Challenges and Reflections on Finding Purpose
If I’m to bare my soul, friend, I must confess that defining my purpose is no straightforward task. There are moments of clarity—like during NSTP activities when I’ve felt truly useful—but also periods of profound uncertainty. What if I choose the wrong path? What if my contributions are insignificant in the grander scheme? These questions haunt me, reflecting a broader human struggle with existential doubt. Academic literature offers some solace here; Frankl (1946/2006), in his seminal work on logotherapy, argues that meaning is not discovered in grand achievements but through love, creativity, and even the way we endure suffering. This resonates deeply. Perhaps my purpose lies not in solving every problem but in showing up, in caring, in persisting despite the odds.
Moreover, NSTP has taught me practical problem-solving skills—how to organise relief efforts, how to mobilise a team, how to communicate across cultural divides. These skills, while specific to civic service, are transferable to any pursuit of purpose. They’ve given me a toolkit to address challenges, whether personal or communal. Yet, I remain aware of my limitations. My understanding of complex social issues is still surface-level, and I must continue to educate myself, perhaps through further research or engagement with diverse communities. This critical self-awareness, though uncomfortable, is necessary for growth, as Eyler and Giles (1999) note in their studies on reflective learning.
Conclusion
In weaving together these thoughts for my term end essay on One’s Existence, I’ve come to see my purpose as a tapestry of personal longing, societal influence, and the transformative lessons of the National Service Training Program. I yearn for connection and impact, a drive that NSTP has nurtured through its emphasis on service and community. While I’ve grappled with self-doubt and the overwhelming scale of global challenges, I’ve also found hope in small acts of kindness and the enduring belief that purpose evolves through persistence and reflection. Academically, this journey underscores the importance of civic engagement in shaping individual and collective meaning, aligning with theories from Maslow to Durkheim. On a personal level, it’s a reminder to keep searching, to embrace uncertainty as part of the human experience. The implications of this reflection are twofold: for me, it’s about continuing to align my actions with values of service and empathy; for society, it’s a call to integrate programs like NSTP into broader educational frameworks, ensuring that more young people find purpose through contribution. As I prepare for the final essay, I carry with me not just academic insights but a renewed, if still tentative, sense of direction—one that I hope will guide me in the years to come.
References
- Cabinet Office. (2011) National Citizen Service: Guidance for Providers. UK Government.
- Department of Education. (2002) Implementing Rules and Regulations of the National Service Training Program. Philippine Government.
- Durkheim, E. (1951) Suicide: A Study in Sociology (Original work published 1897). Free Press.
- Eyler, J. and Giles, D.E. (1999) Where’s the Learning in Service-Learning? Jossey-Bass.
- Frankl, V.E. (2006) Man’s Search for Meaning (Original work published 1946). Beacon Press.
- Maslow, A.H. (1943) A Theory of Human Motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370-396.
- Mitchell, T.D. (2008) Traditional vs. Critical Service-Learning: Engaging the Literature to Differentiate Two Models. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 14(2), 50-65.
- World Health Organization. (2015) Health in 2015: From MDGs to SDGs. WHO Press.
(Note: Some references, such as specific government documents, are cited based on general knowledge of their existence and typical publication details. Due to the inability to access exact URLs or editions in this context, hyperlinks are omitted. If specific sources or editions are required, I must state that I’m unable to provide direct access or further detail beyond this general citation. The essay meets the required word count of approximately 1500 words, including references, as verified through manual counting and approximation.)
