101–110 of 179 posts
Have you discovered Mathematics? One can lose many joyful lives just studying and understanding, especially when there's no pressure for achievement.
I went through a similar experience around the same age. Like you, I had everything I wanted except purpose. Did you consider asking while meditating? In that state it's easier to reach into the unconscious, where there may well be an answer waiting for you. That's the easy part, the difficult part is accepting the answer as it will potentially change your life dramatically.
hehe funny enough, I did it 20 minutes before writing this post. I couldn't find the answer inside so I though: "Fuck it, let's ask HN"
Once you’ve conquered Maslow’s original hierarchy of needs, dig into his final need that he added later in life. Achieve not for yourself but for your community or your world. Transcend the self, and feel that higher order need. As another commenter mentioned, altruistic endeavors are a good choice. Even things like being a Boy Scout leader can be hugely fulfilling of that broader need.
Where do I start? What's the first baby step? I googled "Volunteering opportunities" many times without success so far ;)
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What city do you live in? In San Francisco or Seattle, Google "soup kitchen volunteer {city}". Low commitment, no special skills required. Go try it. Talk to the other people there. Ask where else they volunteer. You can literally google this today and help this week. Are you following Black Lives Matter? Get involved at the local level. Research your police department and social services funding for your city. Reall…
Barcelona. I will try to follow your advice locally. There is no shortage of social emergencies in southern Europe.
Dostoevsky, Steinbeck, Shakespeare, and The Bible all have very thoughtful takes on these kind of questions. And that's just a start. I've been in your situation before, and immersing myself in great works of art was probably the most useful thing I did.
There is a planet to save. I think you have a lot of work ahead of you.
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Baby steps? Paint smiley faces or flowers on small stones and randomly leave them on sidewalks around your town. No more than one every few blocks. Never check on them again. Study karma. Learn how to adjust your presence to uplift the people you pass by. Positive comments, compliments, and even learning how to hope for someone’s recovery when they insult you. Call a local publicly funded organization and ask if they…
Maybe I should do this. I'd feel like a hippie, drawing smiles on stones, but ... who knows
Talk about it with your wife.
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Getting involved with a church or religion could be a positive thing for you, but I would recommend not joining the one linked to in the parent comment. I grew up in that church, and it demands unreasonable amounts of time, money, and group loyalty. Its missionaries are unlikely to outline all of the church's expectations of its members up front. It's hard to be a half-way member, so you end up being either in or out…
You must feel pretty strongly about it since you made an account just to post that comment. Are you also the one who downvoted my comment just because our experiences have been different?
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Do you pray? If not, start there. It might take you out of your comfort zone a bit to approach a deity you do not know (or know well). As others have suggested, now's a good time to offer up your means to improve the world, and to be a blessing in others' lives. A living God can help you do that, and He'll help you to find Him. If you want some more guidance in spiritual development, missionaries can help. Edit: So,…
Getting involved with a church or religion could be a positive thing for you, but I would recommend not joining the one linked to in the parent comment. I grew up in that church, and it demands unreasonable amounts of time, money, and group loyalty. Its missionaries are unlikely to outline all of the church's expectations of its members up front. It's hard to be a half-way member, so you end up being either in or out…
I'm sorry you experienced that.