AGING IS A CHOICE Part 25 – The Importance of Purpose
by Robert Manni
If I were to ask you, What purpose does your life have? What would you say? For many of us, it’s not a question we often ask ourselves or ever reflect upon. Yet, having a sense of purpose in life is vital to our well-being. It not only impacts the quality of our lives but also our longevity. According to Havard Health Publishing, a JAMA Network study of over 7,000 adults aged 50+ showed a purpose-driven life actually reduced the risk of early death. Not only that, people with a higher sense of purpose are less likely to experience heart, circulatory, or blood conditions. And this study is not alone. There are many more that support this concept. People who have and maintain a strong life purpose live longer and enjoy their lives more fully than those who do not. The question is how do we find purpose in our lives as we age?
Our western culture can often be guilty of devaluing our aging population. Too often, seniors are ignored. Instead of serving our community as teachers, mentors, and guides for the next generation, their vast experience is put to the curb. It becomes the task for every aging person to revisit or re-create their own purpose and meaning through introspection, goal setting, and service. No one will do this for them.
Finding your life purpose is not a uniform proposition at any age but becomes even harder in advanced years. It takes time to revisit and re-evaluate one’s life experiences and values to determine: Who am I? What am I? And how do I serve?
Here are some ideas to help you find, refine, or clarify your purpose.
For some of us, we might find purpose and meaning by supporting and guiding our families. For others, purpose may be found in volunteering to further a personal cause or to benefit a community organization. For example, if you love animals, many shelters and rescues need people for pet socialization, walks, and foster care. If that doesn’t appeal to you, revisiting your interests might lead you on the right path. You might find purpose in creative outlets such as writing and painting or in personal advancement such as learning a new skill or language. Maybe you simply want to stay in shape, travel, or simply kick back and enjoy the things that have always brought you happiness. Whatever your purpose may be, live by it. It could turn out to be the most meaningful chapters of your long life.
In closing, I’d like to leave you with this thought. Regardless of how society values you or what others think you are capable of, it has been and always will be up to you where you want to place your energy. Look to your passion, your people, the impact you can have, and the reasons why you believe you exist. Whatever you decide is your purpose, make it something that brings you joy. It’s your life and you deserve the best. After all, aging is inevitable but how we age is a choice we make every day.
