What’s really worthwhile? What’s the point of all this effort and energy we expend day in and day out? Where’s the goal line? Or, to put the question another way: What’s the purpose in our lives? Many of us are so inundated with the flood of events, information, and obligations of everyday living that we hardly have the time to ask ourselves these questions, much less answer them. Enjoying a lazy morning and a cup of hot tea on the porch while contemplating why we’re here on planet Earth is a luxury most of us simply can’t afford. When we must meet deadlines at the office, for example, and we are falling behind or running in place rather than sprinting ahead to reach our goals, it’s tough to look at the bigger picture of our lives. Problems flare up like the Hydra’s heads: cut one off, and two grow back. …