[glok]

Ralph Waldo Emerson: "The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be honourable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well."

In, A Purposeful Life is a Healthier Life, Moheb Costanza discusses the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, later in life. His review of the literature indicates having a purpose in life reduces the risk of developing these diseases.

What's the meaning?

Purpose in life is regarded as one of six core dimensions of psychological well-being, along with autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relationships, and self-acceptance. People are said to have purpose in life when they can describe specific goals and objectives that give them a sense of directedness and meaning.

Costanza points to various studies to support his view of the conclusions he is advancing and offers quotes for our consideration:

"It may be helpful to think about purpose in life in terms of motivation and environmental enrichment," says neurologist Nick Ward of University College London, who uses functional neuroimaging to investigate how reorganization of brain networks in the cerebral cortex support the recovery of arm function in stroke patients.

"People who are more motivated tend to recover better after a stroke," he adds, "and we know very well from animal studies that environmental enrichment enhances neuronal plasticity."

Neurodegenerative diseases are very problematical. If having, or engendering, a purpose is a palliative reducing the risk of developing these diseases, I favor the idea. The problem I have is doing more of what I have identified as a viable purpose for me.

What do you think?

[PoorPrincess]

glok wrote:

Neurodegenerative diseases are very problematical. If having, or engendering, a purpose is a palliative reducing the risk of developing these diseases, I favor the idea. The problem I have is doing more of what I have identified as a viable purpose for me.

What do you think?
_______________________________________

Princess thinks this is very spot on correct thinking.
It certainly sums it up squarely how it is for a few more than a few of us who are older and have to think of the realities of such neuro generative potentials in our own not too distant future.

As well, what we may be good at now that is in align with our purpose now
at this age/stage/condition ... does not equate to going out and competing in our 60s with younger persons for 'jobs' for which they are hopefully ready, eager and proficient.

What it does equate to, remains as yet unknown to this one; still seeking that answer.

Thanks for asking, glok.

[brainhi]

I believe it is important to have many purposes:
Your love (or your reason for getting out of bed) for being a friend, mother, father, teacher, fireman, wife, husband, therapist, grandparent, bread winner, writer, painter, singer, leader...and so on.

The problem I face is that I have not figured out other purposes for myself. The one I love, I am doing through my career (which I discovered this purpose about 3 yrs ago - nothing in my life has yet to compare) - problem is it looks like it may have to end for financial reasons - and I am having a very very very hard time and much fear and doubt as to what comes next...and I do not have really any other "purposes" (affordable ones) to center my life on. Being able to take care of yourself/family financially - doing something you do not like to do or believe in - just palin sucks!

[PoorPrincess]

" Viable purpose" , yes, that is key here it seems.
It certainly is so for Princess at this age/stage/condition in life.

If only perhaps Princess were offered some interesting, engaging paid work for her extant wordsmithing capabilities, e.g. working online from home. That is her vision anyway.

[brainhi]

Originally Posted by PoorPrincess

" Viable purpose" , yes, that is key here it seems.
It certainly is so for Princess at this age/stage/condition in life.

If only perhaps Princess were offered some interesting, engaging paid work for her extant wordsmithing capabilities, e.g. working online from home. That is her vision anyway.

I "get it".
I have a pretty good business network - I am seeking out some support from them in figuring out the next chapter.

Good luck to you - not sure if you can affored to volunteer with an organization where you can "work" from home. Many times that can develop in to something else. Volunteers are usually so appreciated!

[Perna]

I do not think there is straight-line cause/effect between single groups of actions and disease. Yes, maybe not having a "purpose" can help one's propensity to develop a disease -- my father died and my stepmother quickly got senile/went downhill. However, I don't think anything is quite so simple that one can get a straight line bead on cause/effect in that way.

"People who are more motivated tend to recover better after a stroke" - but are they motivated to recover from the stroke or motivated to get back to their job or being race walking champion in their age class, or what? Does that matter? People who are younger tend to recover better after an illness too, those who are in better health or physical shape to begin with. Where do we put the emphasis? I think it is the nature/nurture argument all over again. If I am a committed writer and the left part of my brain is injured in a stroke, my being a committed writer won't help me much, I need other skills if I am to recover well?

I don't think motivation/commitment is a static thing where you have or discover "a"/"your" purpose and the rest of life goes swimmingly. Everyone has to die of something and the older I get, the more I realize that there is really less under my control than I thought there was when I was younger. I think one gets swept up in various "obsessions" like weight, food, jobs/working/occupation, exercise/the physical body, health, family, purpose/personal growth and expression and take whatever is of interest to an extreme that has to "unbalance" one somewhat. One cannot be all-in in one place and not be neglecting another which may/may not be important. Planting one's self in the sun but neglecting how much rainfall the area gets/is needed does not work for very long. Suggesting everyone drink 8 glasses of water a day when some are planted in clay soil that retains moisture, rots the roots?