Enjoying Life

[Piobaire]

I was thinking about this weekend while driving to work this morning. Have a bit of a busy weekend planned. More golf, a BBQ/houseparty, wine tasting, dinner out with some friends, etc.

Just looking back as I start off my 40s. To you geezers (say 35 and older), has life actually gotten more enjoyable for you? Did your 20s/maybe early 30s seem full of delayed gratification and getting some major life tasks done, and now things just seem to be humming? I was thinking, look at the tough times Kunk just went through and now he's a bajillionaire. Matt seems to have changed countries (like me) and has a thriving business (and a future memoir book deal I'm thinking). GT has relocated his family and created a whole new life in a new country. Some of you just got your first house, etc.

Just wondering.

 

[gdl203]

Good for you - that's great.

My major step function in enjoyment of life was the arrival of the kids. I know it's a clichÃ

but it cannot be explained simply in words. Again, step function or exponential effect, not sure, but something way more than linear.

 

[gomestar]

What is your theory on life? Have a good time. All the time.

 

[Piobaire]

Originally Posted by gdl203

Good for you - that's great.

My major step function in enjoyment of life was the arrival of the kids. I know it's a clichÃ

but it cannot be explained simply in words. Again, step function or exponential effect, not sure, but something way more than linear.

IMO, nothing is cliche when you're living it. Happy for you.

Originally Posted by gomestar

What is your theory on life? Have a good time. All the time.

I try to keep myself centered with a couple of popular notions. Don't sweat the small stuff (and it's all small stuff) and no one will care in 100 years.

Also, I think surrounding yourself with people that care about your well being is a good thing.

 

[JayJay]

I can't imagine things being better in my life. All the pieces have come together fantastically over the years. Lots of what I call "pinchable" moments, professionally and socially.

 

[globetrotter]

yeah, every week it hits me how great my life is. there are little things that I want to improve - I want to get a kayack, I want to join a CSA, I want to grow my own hrbs, for instance. those are the types of things I am thinking about - essentially, my life couldn't get much better. last year I was thinking that I really needed a few buddies to hang out with. last sunday on the spur of the moment called two guys I like and have a lot in common with, and within 5 minutes we were sitting in my yard, smoking havanas and drinking a bottle of wine. now I have maybe 15 buddies I can hang out with. my kids are doing great, we go to the beach almost every evening (we can walk there) and see friends.

I thought that I had a good life when I was younger. even when I was thinking about the whole issue of moving to the states, I thought that I had a pretty good life and I wasn't sure that the stretch was worth the "marginal improvement". I honestly had no idea how good life would get.

 

[Mr Herbert]

im in my late 20s and pretty much as you describe. feel like everything is for delayed gratification. work long hours, put most of my income into property investments, my social life has deteriorated heavily in the last couple of years (half my friends had kids, the other half are still acting like they are 19, im in the middle)...

really hoping this all pays off - like it seems to have for you.

 

[jpeirpont]

Long as I have to work, I'm not sure I can enjoy life to its fullest. I hate feeling obligated to work.

 

[Matt]

my life is pretty cool.

 

[acidboy]

I am definitely happier now in my late 30s than I was in my 20s.... and its not just because of kids (although they really bring joy in our lives), and not also because I'm more financially well-off now than say 10, 15 years ago. I guess your mindset and attitude change over time, and now I'm at a point where I don't have the need to prove myself to others, nor do I care what other folks think of me, nor am I bothered with issues and insecurities that were pestering me back in the day. And this was a tough year for us- with my accident, my mother in law's condition, marital issues, etc... but if you were to ask me if I'm happier now its definitely a big yes.

 

[Tigris]

Originally Posted by gdl203

Good for you - that's great.

My major step function in enjoyment of life was the arrival of the kids. I know it's a clichÃ

but it cannot be explained simply in words. Again, step function or exponential effect, not sure, but something way more than linear.

+1. My sister babysits and the little tyke brings so much joy to our dysfunctional family.

 

[holymadness]

I am too young for this thread full of golden oldies.

 

[Roy]

Originally Posted by Mr Herbert

im in my late 20s and pretty much as you describe. feel like everything is for delayed gratification. work long hours, put most of my income into property investments, my social life has deteriorated heavily in the last couple of years (half my friends had kids, the other half are still acting like they are 19, im in the middle)...

really hoping this all pays off - like it seems to have for you.

I thought it was just me. My life's pretty damn good, but everything you do now seems to be for 'later'.

 

[tagutcow]

O hai there. I have arrived to **** all over this thread.

 

[Connemara]

I imagine I'll be happier in 10 years. By then, I will (hopefully) be "somebody." Have a little power, a little influence. Make a difference. But I really can't complain right now...I just bought a new car, a new laptop, and I have a new job.