Seriously: What constitutes a life well-lived?
 

As we approach the twilight of our lives it is easy to reflect upon the quality of the life we have lived; memorable achievements, things we didn't do or wished we had, lasting legacies, etc. I think it would be very interesting to discuss what Village residents, experienced with life, consider a life well-lived; not the usual cheap cliches such as "accumulating the most toys" or even financial wealth which is but one small measure of success, but rather diverse and meaningful measures of a good life spent; things that will bring a smile to your face when your time ultimately comes. Serious thoughts Villagers?

I watched a tv show called “How to do Florida “ had a lady from TV, said she never had a broken bone, never had to see a doc. That isn’t a well lived life. A well lived life of any kind is dangerous and full of bumps! JMO!

Queen Elizabeth had a life well lived.

If you did more good than harm. If you made more friends than enemies. If you brought more joy than sorrow. If someone misses you when you're gone, then you did pretty well in my book. 🌈🙏

Could not care less

I have many regrets, have many sorrows, and have made many enemies. I also have had many successes and achievements, made many friends, and have had lots of joy. It all balances out to a very full life as I can honestly say I have experienced it all, both good and bad.

I ain't done yet.

The person is a success who has lived well, loved much, and laughed often.” — Robert Louis Stevenson

Thank you for those thoughts.

I would say you helped make the world a better place than when you entered it.

I don't believe you. You cared enough to respond on this. Zero response is the true indication of not caring at all.

That's the spirit! Keep up the good work.😊

Loving, helping and truly caring about others. Using our gifts to do so. When and where we can. "To whom much is given, much is required".

[QUOTE=What constitutes a life well-lived?[/QUOTE]

The answers will vary as it depends on whose standard one uses to measure. I try to use this standard:

Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness ...

I always hear parents say that having kids was their greatest achievement. I never got to do that, so perhaps teaching may have been mine. Inspiring the next generation to be the best version of themselves, taking on their future with courage, dedication, ethics, fairness and optimism is what I tried to 'achieve'.

Both of my wife's sisters are envious of what we done, and both are wealthier than us.

When you come into the world your crying and everyone else is smiling, when you leave your smiling and everyone else is crying

My great achievement was developing a relationship with God. His love brought me through all the bumps in the road. He taught me how to give unconditional love and how to forgive .

A life well lived is defined by one’s character rather than accomplishments. The best of characters are shaped when the focus is on God’s love and His ultimate desire for us.

Reflections on Aging by Edwin W Truesdale
When my hair is thin and silvered
And my time of toil is through
When I’ve many years behind me
And ahead of me is few
I shall want to sit I reckon
Sort of dreaming in the sun
And recall the roads I’ve traveled
And the many things I’ve done.

I hope there is no picture
That I’ll hate to look upon,
When the time to paint it better
Or to wipe it out is gone.
I hope there’ll be no vision
Of a hasty word I’ve said
That has left a trail of sorrow
Like a whip welt sore and red.

And I hope my old age dreaming
Will bring back no bitter scene
Of a time when I was selfish
Or a time when I was mean.
When I’m getting old and feeble
And I’m far along life’s way
I don’t want to sit regretting
Any bygone yesterday.

I am painting now the picture
That I’ll one day want to see
I am filling in the canvas
That will soon come back to me.
Though nothing great is on it
And though nothing there is fine
I shall want to look it over
When I’m old, and call it mine.
So I do not dare to leave it
While the paint is warm and wet
With a single thing upon it
That I later will regret.

Defending your life
 

what you call " bumps" i call if you don't get on your knees , god will put you them, one way or another. Our grading our lives is not the real issue. The answer to your query is , are you prepared to meet your maker?

2022 0916 Friday @ 07:57
It seems to me that some move through life keeping a lot of the bad alongside the good. What I am referring to are the memories of the bad being kept alongside the good. My default is not that way. My default is to keep the good in mind (and heart).

With that in mind, I see the accumulation of years and their memories as a whole lot of good. That is how I feel. That is how I feel when asked to reflect on the past.

I do like the response above about looking at one's children. I do so enjoy seeing my two children get together (one girl and one boy [young woman and young man; nine years apart]). They live in different countries (my son lives in TV; she lives in Florence, IT). When they are together, they are amazing.

Also
I am not so sure regarding the post about the queen (having lived a "full" life). She compromised nearly all of her life. She was "always" the queen and, as such, had no opinion (vs Charles who advocates, for example, for climate intervention, etc.). The queen was expected to be a queen, which she did exceptionally. She just didn't t have much of an opportunity to "let her hair down."

I suggest that keeping one's spirit elevated requires jettisoning those who would "bring you down." However, if in the presence of one who would do so (even if married to one of that ilk), I would suggest calling upon your formidable resources, like resiliency (and selective dementia).

If you can not find peace in a garden, through all of its seasons, you may have missed something in this life.

To those who reach for God to "find their place," I wonder how your life would have unfolded in the absence of God. Simply stated, what if a few turn of events through life would have bypassed religious education? What if you "didn't know" religion? Would you have found happiness? Would you have been fulfilled? I am not "educated in religion." However, I take exceptional joy in all the God has provided. I am so very thankful for the opportunity to live my life and I do look to Him (Her) who has made it possible.

Life has been wonderful to date. As one said it above, it isn't over. There is so much yet to experience. I will definitely find joy in today, and tomorrow, and the day after....

Then don’t answer!

Agree wonderful answer

Riding this train to the last station to see where I end up .

Exactly what I would have liked to say!

Little more specifically; having adventures, good friends, a loving family, having contributed. Feeling that you have done or are doing, right now, what you really want to do. And leaving a legacy in a way that you may be remembered the way you want people to think of you.

You don’t need me to quote the Bible, someone else has done it (which I believe in, by the way). So I will quote what the famous Hell’s Angel, Sonny Barger, said on his dying day: “Keep your head high, stay loyal, remain free, and always value honor.”

Just as I was born in London, Hitler started bombing us!:22yikes:

Quite sure you did a great job!

The crystal ship
 

when faces come out of the rain.

Life Changing Book & Web Site PLUS LAUGHTER - The Lighter Side of Life
 

Read this book: Gary Zukav "Seat of the Soul" to understand life. You'll find the answer to your post and so will all the repliers!
Here's the web site: Home - The Seat of the Soul Institute

On the lighter side, come laugh your troubles away.
Improv 2022 - Show on Friday 10/28/22 6PM-7:30PM

Ticket Information:
Improv 2022 - Show on Friday 10-28-22 Tickets, Rohan Regional Recreation Center, The Villages, October 28 2022 | AllEvents.in

To Purchase Tickets:
Book Tickets

For more information contact: Mike Roth 513-646-6523

Accumulating 5,000 posts on ToTV.

:posting:

:oops:

My family background is mainly nurses and teachers. I have two grown children and they will often refer to the influence a certain teacher had on their lives. Everyone needs a mentor and someone they can trust.

Life itself is no accident, it is a miracle - God's miracle not to be wasted. One lives in the hope of becoming a memory, lives with hope of life eternal and in the assurance that "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39).

Be an example and inspiration to all those around you, especially to your beloved family. And above all, Thankfulness is the beginning of happiness, gratitude turns what we have into enough and daily prayers of thanksgiving for the abundance in life gives contentment.‬ This is how to live in peace and having a life well lived.

O.K., I'll laugh at this. 😄😄😄 pretty funny.

Happy days, ! Ayyyyyy !
 

this is as close as to psychotherapy as it gets. Heres my take. I've read many aspiring responses in villager's responses but i found in my own life that events occur especially with family members who you can forgive, but who could care less that you do so. In these circumstances i've adopted the mind set of west bound european and american pioneers who knew as they embarked on their life's journey they would never see their loved ones again. It hurts, but it's best for all concerned. We do not all have father/ mother knows best lives.

My daughter and grandson gave me a shirt that says something like being a great dad leads to being an awesome Papa. To me that says it all. Did I do everything perfect or do all I could do, absolutely not but I feel I did good. Being diagnosed with incurable cancer at age 49 really made me think, now 9 year later we are still living. From many family vacations to camping to 19 years as a Scout leader to many years of coaching soccer, baseball, softball and basketball to meting involved in their school as 4 years of PTO President, 8 years running the annual wrapping paper sale and 9 years of running the annual haunted house I got to spend so much time with the 3 kids, my wife and all their friends. This was all so special.

Now it is grand children time, currently 2 (7&3) and soon to be 3, maybe this week and #4 comes in March. It is so exciting.

So toys, yes most have them and I told my wife to sell any and all once I am gone. House in MA, house in the Villages, camper in NH, camper to travel with, timeshare in Aruba, my F350 and my beloved boat.

One of my greatest joys is that all 3 kids still camp and many times with us. Our daughter and grandson are joining us in Aruba which is huge and I still have 2 to get to Florida to visit.

To quote a movie, It has been a Wonderful Life.

What a sad reply

If one could live one's life over again, how many things would you do the same and how many things would you change? I would not change 80-90% of what I did, so for me, that was a life well lived.

Very well said. Keys to the kingdom. And as we all learn — sometimes only at the very end — “All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice.
[And] be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you …”

Agreed, after screwing things up for 70 years I now see that God's kingdom is the only thing that matters.

Living by the golden rule and mindful thankfulness is at the core for me.
When I fail at either one, I’m disappointed in myself. I have a plaque with a quote questionably attributed to Abe Lincoln: “When I do good I feel good, when I do bad I feel bad, and that’s my religion.”

That’s the core. The other part of the equation for me to have a life well lived is to do what makes me happy. If that means staying home and reading or doing crosswords or whatever, I do it. There can be a lot of pressure in The Villages to be active all the time and to have a full calendar. If that makes you happy, go for it. But personally a full calendar means not enough me time. I’m a friendly introvert. I walk among you, smile, and joke, but I can’t wait to get home and curl up in my own private paradise I call home.