This Bulletin Article Could Change Your Life...

[Forum Boss]

If you are over 45 you should read this article.
It could very well change your life (for the better), and may even extend your life.

Carpe Diem Friends — Our Time Is Limited, Make Every Day Count « Daily Bulletin

Photo from Gunwerks Sheep Mountain L3 Mountain Shooting Course in July 2021. Register Here. This story is not directly about firearms, or reloading gear, or any of the little details of our sport. It, instead, is about life... and, sadly, about death.

bulletin.accurateshooter.com

The theme is about living life to the fullest -- and not having regrets in later life.

One person who read this article said it was the single best article we have ever published in the Daily Bulletin. Another fellow, now in the process of selling his business and moving toward retirement told me: "That’s a fantastic article! I personally can relate on several points...."

Living a Life with More Good Times, and Fewer Regrets​

There were five key life lessons stated by men late in life -- things they wished they had done different.
When senior-age men were asked about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, five (5) common themes were mentioned over and over. Here are the first two:

1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
“This was the most common regret of all. When people realize that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. ”

Lesson: Don’t wait to follow your dreams. Be true to yourself.

2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.
“This came from every male patient [surveyed]. All of the men… deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence.”

Lesson: Don’t let your work crowd out other important aspects of life.

READ FULL ARTICLE for ALL FIVE Life Lessons:

Carpe Diem Friends — Our Time Is Limited, Make Every Day Count « Daily Bulletin

Photo from Gunwerks Sheep Mountain L3 Mountain Shooting Course in July 2021. Register Here. This story is not directly about firearms, or reloading gear, or any of the little details of our sport. It, instead, is about life... and, sadly, about death.

bulletin.accurateshooter.com

 

[Retired Grunt]

I live my life like there's no tomorrow....
Well not really anymore. In 2016 I had a Mild Colon Cancer and when It was over I told my wife I wanted to start shooting, bought an M1A to shoot CMP and Highpower but my back said no, so I switched to F-Open. This was a bucket list thing, I just can't empty the bucket. I learned too much and am having too much fun, the challenge is endless in the chase for that better score.

 

[LVLAaron]

If you're over 25 you should read that article.

 

[Straightshooter1]

I've learned to live and enjoy life like I eat . . . the term that best describes that is to "savor" and appreciate what I have (not cramming as much of everything down my throat as possible nor living in fear of what life brings or might bring to the table).

I've been lucky to make it to 74, anything more is all gravy.

 

[Bill Norris]

Some say once they hit the retirement age and actually try to stop they find it hard to not keep on working because they simply need to be occupied. That is not the case with me. I began to work on a farm early as a child and quit school to get a job at 16. At 18 went to work for Dupont. Got my GED and bounced around about every 10 years from Dupont to CP & L (power company) Ithaca (sewing machine mechanic with a woman hooked to each machine) and the list goes on until 1993 decided I was smart enough and good enough at carpentry to start my own construction company. Stuck with that for 20 years and decided it was time to call it a day in 2013. I do not regret stopping work. I can certainly find something better to do to occupy my time and I do. "Take that job and shove it" is my thoughts. LOL.

 

[457ciSBC]

The human experience is most often recorded as birth to death, sunrise to sunset. When in reality the human earthly existence is really a rolling countdown from one’s first breath. When I was younger, the thought of the sunset never really entered my mind, as I was invincible and thought that I would live forever. Then as the benchmarks and time stamps of life come and go, you begin to realize that you have passed the apex of the life cycle and you are now at the downhill leg of the journey, now labeled a senior citizen!
I no longer let things beyond my control spin me up, I don’t sweat the small stuff and I appreciate the opportunity to still be able to suck up air on this small planet . So I was staring out the open front door the other day and my wife asked, what was I looking at and I replied, oh just listening to the songbirds. I find that I’m more appreciative of much simpler things now.
I tell my grandsons; be kind, don’t be afraid to fail, chase your own dreams, be aware that chasing a dollar can have a high price and try to live your best life, everyday.....because Life is very deaf, so knock loud.

 

[dryhumor]

A few years ago I was on my way to see my mother at the hospital. She was in stage 4. About to begin “comfort care”.

About 15-20 minutes out, the doctor called me and suggested I not tarry. “Time is limited” he said. Those three words hit me harder than just about any other words in my life.

Live life like there’s less time ahead than behind. Regardless of how old you are….

 

[300_whisper]

Dam...deep thread. Sadly, wifes and kids change a lot of things. I feel like I can’t enjoy things until I have financial security and the boys college fund set. To get financial security you have to work hard and a lot. I’m 33 but I think about this a lot. I seriously want to retire at 50. I always joke at work that all I want to do is shoot guns, hunt, fish, and work out. We shall see how that goes.

 

[tangocharlie]

I am now 68. I lost track many years ago of the 16-17 hour days; the 7 day weeks, the months that went by without a single day off. I was doing what I thought needed to be done for family and security. I had plans for after I retired. Lots of shooting, always wanted to fish the Keys, but - my body gave out. Hips, knees, back, and now one eye gone. Married 50 years this month to a real lady that loves me enough to get me to my gun club regularly. Loves me enough to know that I gave it all I had for us. Don’t sacrifice living for a little more in your paycheck. Don’t forget that your body, like it or not, is not a renewable resource. I do have some new parts, but it just ain’t the same.

 

[js2013]

I've got all the time in the world. I discovered a diet that'll allow me to live forever! And so far so good

 

[spencerhenry]

I had some pretty tough times around the age of 34. I made it out and now have a HUGE appreciation for where I am, who I am, the friends I have and what I have done so far. I am now 50, and life is far better than I ever thought could be possible.
It was raining and windy yesterday, when I stepped out of my hangar after piddling on my airplane, I said to myself, "what a beautiful day". I chuckled, because it was really kind of a crappy weather day.

 

[caihlen]

These are good, strong words.

 

[DirtySteve]

I made that decision a few months after a co-worker was killed for the first time.. I made the decision I will not get old an look back and say, "Gee, I wish I would have.....". Of course my wants and desires are pretty minimal. But it holds true...

 

[ronsatspokane]

Old saying in the motorcycle community: "Ride it like you stole it". Applies to far more than motorcycles.

 

[Kittitas George]

As I've said on here before, "I have a pocket full of memories, not a pocket full of wishes". I have been blessed with many good friends, some going back to day care during WWII. Stay positive and flex-able, don't paint yourself into the corner, have some options ready.

 

[Bojo]

I made that decision a few months after a co-worker was killed for the first time.. I made the decision I will not get old an look back and say, "Gee, I wish I would have.....". Of course my wants and desires are pretty minimal. But it holds true...

How many times has your co-worker been killed so far ?

 

[Mr. Zorg]

I am now 68. I lost track many years ago of the 16-17 hour days; the 7 day weeks, the months that went by without a single day off. I was doing what I thought needed to be done for family and security. I had plans for after I retired. Lots of shooting, always wanted to fish the Keys, but - my body gave out. Hips, knees, back, and now one eye gone. Married 50 years this month to a real lady that loves me enough to get me to my gun club regularly. Loves me enough to know that I gave it all I had for us. Don’t sacrifice living for a little more in your paycheck. Don’t forget that your body, like it or not, is not a renewable resource. I do have some new parts, but it just ain’t the same.

My health started giving out in my late 40's for something that my father had and got bad in his late 50's. I thought I'd have 10 more years and had some plans, I retired at 50 for medical reasons and I've had worse curveballs thrown at me in the intervening years by my body, not things my parents or siblings experienced but it's just the way things are. I've beten lung cancer for now (5 years come September) with a ruptured colon occurring during chemotherapy - I had 5 surgeries and 4 strong chemotherapy treatments in a 13 month period - so I've come through a lot worse than what I'm currently experiencing. Currently I'm struggling to retain vision in my left eye - it's not a question of good vs poor vision quality with what I'm experiencing, but more a binary yes / no outcome - but right now as the old Magic 8 Ball would sometimes say "signs point to yes" at this point so I know somewhat what you're posting about. I'll celebrate my 25th anniversary at the end of August this year, congrats on your 50th Golden anniversary!

My first official paycheck was from Wendy's when I was 15 but I worked mowing lawns before that and afterwards too. I had my share of 16+ hour days and long stretches without a day off. I worked my way through college and it took a long time but eventually I finished debt free and began having a career instead of chasing jobs.

There's no way now for me to take the travel that I'd planned during retirement but fortunately I made holes in my schedule and traveled quite a bit with my wife after establishing myself in my career. Life is truly what happens when making other plans. Certainly I have some regrets I don't think it would be possible for me not to, personally. Being adaptable and finding pleasure in smaller things is what I've found to be important since my mid-20's, and it's still true for me today.

 

[hogpatrol]

My father used to tell me "Don't be a wish I had".

 

[br1111]

My health started giving out in my late 40's for something that my father had and got bad in his late 50's. I thought I'd have 10 more years and had some plans, I retired at 50 for medical reasons and I've had worse curveballs thrown at me in the intervening years by my body, not things my parents or siblings experienced but it's just the way things are. I've beten lung cancer for now (5 years come September) with a ruptured colon occurring during chemotherapy - I had 5 surgeries and 4 strong chemotherapy treatments in a 13 month period - so I've come through a lot worse than what I'm currently experiencing. Currently I'm struggling to retain vision in my left eye - it's not a question of good vs poor vision quality with what I'm experiencing, but more a binary yes / no outcome - but right now as the old Magic 8 Ball would sometimes say "signs point to yes" at this point so I know somewhat what you're posting about. I'll celebrate my 25th anniversary at the end of August this year, congrats on your 50th Golden anniversary!

My first official paycheck was from Wendy's when I was 15 but I worked mowing lawns before that and afterwards too. I had my share of 16+ hour days and long stretches without a day off. I worked my way through college and it took a long time but eventually I finished debt free and began having a career instead of chasing jobs.

There's no way now for me to take the travel that I'd planned during retirement but fortunately I made holes in my schedule and traveled quite a bit with my wife after establishing myself in my career. Life is truly what happens when making other plans. Certainly I have some regrets I don't think it would be possible for me not to, personally. Being adaptable and finding pleasure in smaller things is what I've found to be important since my mid-20's, and it's still true for me today.

The big event that changed my life is when i accepted Jesus and his blood washed me clean and i made a commitment to live life in his path, and i thank god i didnt pass before that point. I love this thread as its all about enjoying life and Don,t load yourself up with worries and regrets. live each day as its your last.

 

[yotehater]

When I hit 59 1/2 the Mrs reminded me there weren't any pockets in a shroud. Spend it penalty free and enjoy. I've earned it.