My husband and I have a difficult time imagining
getting up in the morning and not having a long list of things we want to
accomplish. As we draw closer to what some people consider “retirement” years,
instead of growing shorter, our list seems to grow longer. Why is that? Aren’t
our “golden” years supposed to be filled with leisure?
Of course we’re looking forward to having more time
with family and friends—especially the grandchildren. Some adventures and a
little travel would be nice too. We’d like to spend time in Boston—maybe even take
a trip to Italy and Spain. But, when all is said and done, we both need to be
productive. We both desire to contribute our time and talents where needed.
My husband works for a large company where some
employees have spent their entire lives manufacturing airplanes. The business
has been good to Sonny; however, he still can’t wait for the day when he can
turn in the badge that provides access to that world. He’s excited to see what
comes next! But you’d be surprised how often fellow employees pass away soon
after their retirement papers have been filed. Why? Because they’ve left the workforce with no
vision of what their life could be like after going to the same destination for
years. They have no purpose … or they believe they have no purpose.
In 2009, a study conducted by the Rush University
Medical center in Chicago came up with the following conclusion: possessing a
greater purpose in life is associated with lower mortality rates among older
adults.
The finding that purpose in life is related to
longevity in older persons suggests that aspects of human
flourishing—particularly the tendency to derive meaning from life’s experiences
and possess a sense of intentionality and goal-directedness—contribute to
successful aging. ~ Patricia A. Boyle, PhD
People who don’t seek purpose may have the following
excuses:
- What’s the point of trying anything new at my age?
- There isn’t anything more to do in my life—I’ve done it all.
- It’s a waste of time to set goals.
- Anything I could do now would be trivial and unimportant.
Do you believe that’s true? For where you are now in life? Where you might be later?
For those of you not even close to showing gray
hairs, this message is for you too. A sense of purpose in life contributes to
better health, regardless of your age.
Every person on this planet has purpose and the
ability to give something, even if it’s a smile or a word of encouragement to
someone who needs a little cheering. Anyone who tries can find a reason for greeting the sunrise—even if that
something at first is very small and difficult to perceive.
If you don’t see purpose in your life, go search for
it! Create it if you have to.
How
might having a purpose or goal change the way you live your life?
Dawn
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