Nothing More Than a Particle
We don't figure.
Spinoza said that we are nothing more than a particle, an insignificant speck of dust in an infinite cosmos. The implications of this are numerous and something we would do well to bear in mind if we are to understand the nature of our existence.
Life on planet Earth tends to be difficult for most people and leans toward the tragic for many. The laws that govern our existence do not have us in mind at all. An accident can end a life in an instant, various diseases generally cause much suffering, the relationships between people tend to be problematic, nations often do their best to destroy each other, and to cap it all, an asteroid might just put an end to the adventure.
In the midst of all this, people go looking for peace, joy, pleasure, and any number of other fantasies that might bring a sense of reassurance. In reality, life presents us with tragedy, drama, and risk. Just consider your own life and that of others. Everyone knows some tragic event in their life. They certainly know drama, and we all live with significant risks. It is better to adopt a realistic attitude to life instead of pursuing the things that life does not offer, namely peace, joy, constant pleasure, happiness, and other inventions of a frightened species.