Turning 50 This Month And No Purpose Yet?

[arakboss]

I will be turning 50 this month and have been thinking about the lack of purpose in my life. Some devote their lives to cleaning up pollution, philanthropy, promoting liberty, educating others, fixing homelessness issues, etc. I am talking about big picture stuff not activities that mostly benefit myself or my family.

I would like to hear from others who have found a purpose and whether it has filled a void they had been experiencing.

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[bigbearbear]

Are you sure you're not experiencing mid-life crisis and confusing it with a lack of purpose?

I'm close to your age but for me, meh, I leave these "big picture" stuff to idle gentlemen who doesn't have to work for a living and have too much time on their hand.

 

[arakboss]

Are you sure you're not experiencing mid-life crisis and confusing it with a lack of purpose?

I'm close to your age but for me, meh, I leave these "big picture" stuff to idle gentlemen who doesn't have to work for a living and have too much time on their hand.

Maybe, but I am starting to feel like what separates us from beast is that we strive to do more than just work and play. I have received a lot from the planet and society but have done little to give back. If they wrote an obit for me it would read, "He worked and played. The end".

 

[JustSomeGuy]

I was born and raised on a ranch. My family has always been passionate about providing food for those in need, and I spent a lot of time in my youth working towards that goal.

After high school, getting my Bachelor's degree and serving in the Army, I went back to college to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

During my studies I got interested (and later passionately interested) in space exploration. So, I worked in the aerospace industry and eventually started my own business as an engineering consultant to several of the major players in that industry. It was a very fulfilling career knowing that I was playing a tiny part in humankind's quest to explore the cosmos.

Eventually I reached a point where I felt that changes in the industry and the rapid pace of advancement in the field were starting to leave me behind, so I sold the business and bought the family ranch from my father.

Now, having come full circle as it were, I am continuing the family legacy of providing food for those in need by donating 10% of the ranch production to various programs throughout the PNW.

My only suggestion would be to find a need/cause that you have a passion for and focus your energies there. A lot of people underestimate the value of even a single hour of time donated to a worthy cause.

 

[arakboss]

I was born and raised on a ranch. My family has always been passionate about providing food for those in need, and I spent a lot of time in my youth working towards that goal.

After high school, getting my Bachelor's degree and serving in the Army, I went back to college to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

During my studies I got interested (and later passionately interested) in space exploration. So, I worked in the aerospace industry and eventually started my own business as an engineering consultant to several of the major players in that industry. It was a very fulfilling career knowing that I was playing a tiny part in humankind's quest to explore the cosmos.

Eventually I reached a point where I felt that changes in the industry and the rapid pace of advancement in the field were starting to leave me behind, so I sold the business and bought the family ranch from my father.

Now, having come full circle as it were, I am continuing the family legacy of providing food for those in need by donating 10% of the ranch production to various programs throughout the PNW.

My only suggestion would be to find a need/cause that you have a passion for and focus your energies there. A lot of people underestimate the value of even a single hour of time donated to a worthy cause.

The last sentence you wrote is especially inspiring to me. I recently heard a speaker (Les Brown) talking about finding your purpose and acting on it. One thing he said that stuck out was something like, start small if you can't start big. I have many years of work life ahead of me but I can start small. The hard part will be finding something that is really important to me.

 

[DB is Here]

The same thing hit me at 40 and after some consideration, I found that I was happiest when I was pouring into others. I was lucky that I had a job that allowed me to share my skills and help others become providers too, later it was my wife and I investing time with other couples to help improve their marriages. The simple fact that you're beginning to consider these legacy thoughts is a good sign. I have no doubt that in a short time something will reveal itself as a new life goal/purpose to you...good luck.

 

[Hop Sing]

I will be turning 50 this month and have been thinking about the lack of purpose in my life. Some devote their lives to cleaning up pollution, philanthropy, promoting liberty, educating others, fixing homelessness issues, etc. I am talking about big picture stuff not activities that mostly benefit myself or my family.

I would like to hear from others who have found a purpose and whether it has filled a void they had been experiencing.

I think it is quite laudable that you are thinking like this. Since we have never met, I have no suggestions for what you could do, but for me the natural world has always been a gift so I volunteer helping the local conservation district and watershed council with their fish and wildlife habitat restoration projects. Also, at home I plant native and other plants that benefit songbirds and pollinators.

As someone else wrote, even an hour's worth of volunteering can mean a lot to those who can use some help.

 

[Flopsweat]

...The hard part will be finding something that is really important to me.

Starting small might help with that. It would give you the opportunity to find out what you like. Sounds like fun. That whole "it's not the destination, it's the journey" thing.

 

[arakboss]

Starting small might help with that. It would give you the opportunity to find out what you like. Sounds like fun. That whole "it's not the destination, it's the journey" thing.

I am really concerned about the obestiy problem plagueing the country including myself, my family along with much of the country. I have no idea how I could help with that but there is definitely a problem that needs more attention.

 

[Flopsweat]

I am really concerned about the obestiy problem plagueing the country including myself, my family along with much of the country. I have no idea how I could help with that but there is definitely a problem that needs more attention.

Get on Duckduckgo and search for things like "obesity forum", "overcoming obesity", "weight loss support" and the like. Skim anything that looks useful. This will lead you to better terms to search for, then rinse and repeat. In a few hours you'll have lots of reading material and probably some contact information.

 

[albin25]

I am really concerned about the obesity problem plaguing the country

Maybe you could start something as simple as a weekly "cooking healthy program" for seniors through a local organization ... 'cuz lord-all-mighty, it's sometimes really hard to cook proper meals for just 1 or 2 people and not fall into the high fat/salt/sugar TV type dinner/pizza trap. Maybe organize a "buyers club" so seniors can pool purchases at wholesale clubs to take advantage of that great price on those 100lb bags of flour, gallons of salad dressing and sides of beef.

Sometimes I wish that someone would invent "Senior Chow" or "Bachelor Chow" ... comes in flavors and just add water, makes it's own gravy! maybe Chili flavor and beef stew? ........... slogan... "feel like a PUP again!"


If you're interested in going into politics, you can say you're against fat, pass anti-obeseity laws that will actually increase it, while "saying" you're doing "something" about it.... (but ONLY if there's buckets of money in it)
.... that will guarantee you can keep busy and also keep as many relatives as you want, busy too! Then if/when it looks like things are accidentally improving, you can start creating an awareness of the bigotry of "Fat Shame-ing" to make obesity a civil right.
See ? never bored.... 'cuz politics can always make sure the problems only get worse.

 

[Certaindeaf]

He who dies with the most pine whittlins at his feet wins.

 

[slimmer13]

Seems like my purpose is to fill in the holes my dogs dig.

 

[Flopsweat]

Maybe you could start something as simple as a weekly "cooking healthy program" for seniors through a local organization ... 'cuz lord-all-mighty, it's sometimes really hard to cook proper meals for just 1 or 2 people and not fall into the high fat/salt/sugar TV type dinner/pizza trap. Maybe organize a "buyers club" so seniors can pool purchases at wholesale clubs to take advantage of that great price on those 100lb bags of flour, gallons of salad dressing and sides of beef.

Sometimes I wish that someone would invent "Senior Chow" or "Bachelor Chow" ... comes in flavors and just add water, makes it's own gravy! maybe Chili flavor and beef stew? ........... slogan... "feel like a PUP again!"


If you're interested in going into politics, you can say you're against fat, pass anti-obeseity laws that will actually increase it, while "saying" you're doing "something" about it.... (but ONLY if there's buckets of money in it)
.... that will guarantee you can keep busy and also keep as many relatives as you want, busy too! Then if/when it looks like things are accidentally improving, you can start creating an awareness of the bigotry of "Fat Shame-ing" to make obesity a civil right.
See ? never bored.... 'cuz politics can always make sure the problems only get worse.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Speaking for myself....

I would think that there is no time limit for finding or deciding on a purpose in life.
As well as , one's purpose can change over time...
Or even be unknown to you , but very "purposeful" to someone else.

A purpose in life is very personal....one's path in life , is one's own...it may cross with others...but its still your own.

I have had two very fulfilling "purposes" ( that I know of at least) .
My time in the Army was meaningful...
And working as a Behavior Specialist at my school is also meaningful , both to me and others.

Being the simple sort , my purpose is simple :
Enjoy life and do no harm to others....I am content with that.
Andy

 

[Flopsweat]

View attachment 844627

OMG, Babish has invented real-life Bachelor Chow.

 

[partsed]

Speaking for myself....

I would think that there is no time limit for finding or deciding on a purpose in life.
As well as , one's purpose can change over time...
Or even be unknown to you , but very "purposeful" to someone else.

A purpose in life is very personal....one's path in life , is one's own...it may cross with others...but its still your own.
I have had two very fulfilling "purposes" ( that I know of at least) .
My time in the Army was meaningful...
And working as a Behavior Specialist at my school is also meaningful , both to me and others.

Being the simple sort , my purpose is simple :
Enjoy life and do no harm to others....I am content with that.
Andy

I think a book about your time in the military would be fascinating and I would be eager to read it!!

 

[Andy54Hawken]

I think a book about your time in the military would be fascinating and I would be eager to read it!!

There I was....

Thanks for the kind words...they mean a lot.
Andy

 

[partsed]

In the "immortal" words of Nike.....

Just do it...

It would be a great legacy to pass on to your family and generations to come!!!

 

[Jasonanddeonna]

Volunteer work or mentoring. There are so many opportunities to "give back" and help those less fortunate. Schools, senior living centers, nursing homes, vet hospitals, food banks, homeless shelters, Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, churches, and many, many others.

In general, people feel better and "find a meaningful purpose" when serving others even on an individual or 1:1 basis. It does not have to be world changing. In fact, it generally starts with individual relationships and growing. Share your talents, but mostly your time and willingness, with others and you will find many things more meaningful to you. Look outward, not inward.