There is no purpose in life unless you believe in a higher entity that caused you to be born that has something for you to do. If that's the case you will never know that your every action has been previously planned. On the other hand you could he a random happenstance.
There can be purpose without belief in a higher entity. My son is a great example of that for me. peace.
The point of living is its better than not being alive. If you don't believe in an after-life, you can choose how you go through life and how to get out of it what you personally want, i.e. what makes living worthwhile and more enjoyable. Having just one of your chosen objectives is better than having no consciousness of anything. If you do believe in an after-life, then living a life within your given religious framework is the only way by which to progress on mortal death to a higher level of existence. As this lasts forever, life is a vitally important experience.
I like these question-threads. However, the answer to this one is above my pay grade. Well.. here is what Picasso had to say: "The purpose of life is to find your gift. The meaning of life is to give your gift away." --Pablo Picasso
The purpose is hopefully the positive contribution that we make to this earth will outweigh the pollution and carbon footprint that we bring to this earth. Look at Stephen Hawkin. Yes he polluted earth as well but he made so much important discovery in his life that helped us living on this earth better and more enlightened and that far far outweighs the so called carbon footprint that he's left on this earth and this is what people will remember him for, a person who persevered despite his dreadful illness to make us understand things better, not how much poop he's made throughout his life. And when we fail or think we failed or didn't complete what we wanted to accomplish, we hope our children will do better, will one day finish what we started with the knowledge and skills that we taught them and the positive influence that we leave on them. This is WHY you are not supposed to neglect your children but be constantly guiding them throughout their whole lives. So get off this forum, find something that will leave a POSITIVE imprint on earth that you want to do and just DO IT!! If you find you need to learn the skill on how to do better what you want to do, then go back to school. There is NO age limit for getting an education. If you are REALLY concerned about your carbon footprint, DON'T eat too much!!! You are supposed to only eat up to 70% full, that way you won't poop too much. And eat local, eat organic when you do eat. Life is not what it is; life is what you DO and the choices you make! Happy living!!