I’m 41. I’ve been thinking through the reality that my life is probably closer to the end than the beginning.
But then I think each morning that God has given me a new day and I have the power to make the most of it. Just because you’re half way through the sundae doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the rest of the sundae.
I started taking piano lessons in January. I found I’m not too old to learn something new.
In short, I’m pretty happy most of the time. I do wonder if I should be doing more wth my life than I’m doing, but I think God is just planting a seed in me and the answer to that question will be revealed soon.
I think I’ve been pretty happy in my life because I believe God has a purpose for me and is subtly guiding me through life. Things happen for a reason.
I don’t know how atheists stay happy after a certain age. I know some do, but it would have to involve a whole different model for viewing life. I guess you could say “life has no purpose other than pursuing pleasure”, but that approach is a difficult way to find happiness at 20 and an almost imposssible way to find happiness at age 40.
That's the best thing I've read today. I'm 37 now and over the years it has always been my way to stop what I'm doing, where I'm going and change directions. Someting new, different, challenging. It gets trickier as one's responsibilities increase.
Ever notice how quickly time passes now that you are in a routine? I'll bet that those piano lessons add alot of time to your week.
Myself, I'm looking at the banjo...
“I don’t know how atheists stay happy after a certain age.’
Maybe it’s because we don’t feel there’s some purpose we’re supposed to be fulfilling, and it most cases, aren’t. No guilt.
That’s a beautiful post - I’ve saved it.
...a lady pirate looking at 50.
While I'm not exactly an atheist, I'm probably close enough to answer your question. As a deist, I don't believe in any sort of metaphysical afterlife, any sort of divine judgment, any sort of purpose to life beyond what we give it.
And yet, I'm the happiest person I know.
It's no more difficult than this: I care about the things I value. I love my country. I love my family. I love my culture: science, literature, art, etc. When I die, I want to see these things in good condition, so that they will be as healthy and prosperous as possible for as long as possible after I'm gone. Because I love them, I work hard on their behalf. What has that to do with God or an afterlife? They matter to me, and that's enough.
Furthermore, it pleases my vanity that I be remembered and held in high regard after my death, and that my works and thoughts continue to exert a positive influence on the things I love and value. That legacy is the only sort of afterlife I have available to me; why wouldn't I seek to maximize it? Why doesn't everyone?
Meanwhile, I'm having a blast. The world is a beautiful place for me. I laugh hard. I live the life of the mind. I enjoy my work. I work very hard and am comfortably well compensated for it. I have a smart and gorgeous wife, and I love to take her out dancing. We have four wonderful kids. I'm healthy and reasonably fit (for my age). I have a splendid book collection and a big house to hold it. I look out my window to a lovely vista in Pennsylvania Dutch country, which I adore. I enjoy fine Scotch whisky, delicious food, great literature, and good music. How dare I not be happy?