The Art of Living a Fulfilled and Purposeful Life After 50
Dear Support for Aging readers,
As promised, I am delighted to introduce you to our first Support for Aging Guest Blogger, Chris Palmer. I’ve known Chris for many years, and he is a respected local author with a wide range of insightful and interesting books. He is also an end-of-life activist.
His latest book is Achieving a Good Death: A Practical Guide to the End of Life. He frequently gives pro bono presentations on aging, death, and dying to community groups. Chris serves on the board of the Bethesda Metro Area Village in Bethesda, Maryland. His website is www.ChrisPalmerOnline.com, and his email is christopher.n.palmer@gmail.com.
We are happy to welcome you, Chris!
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In my early 20s, I was unhappy. Life felt chaotic, haphazard, and overly busy. While on the outside, I looked reasonably successful, I felt adrift. I had no clear direction, no deep sense of purpose. One day, it hit me—I had never thought seriously about what I truly wanted from life or what mattered most to me. I was moving through life without a flight plan.
That realization changed everything. I understood that I needed a vision, a written articulation of my values, my goals, and the type of life I wanted to lead. I wanted to live in a way that, when I reached my deathbed, I would have few regrets.
Finding My True North
I sat down and wrote my Personal Mission Statement (PMS)—a declaration of what gave my life meaning, what I stood for, and the kind of person I aspired to become. This document became my constitution, my guiding light, and my vision. Whenever I faced a significant decision, I consulted it, ensuring that my actions aligned with my values.
As I wrote my PMS, my sense of aimlessness disappeared. I had direction, clarity, and excitement about the life I was designing. Instead of drifting, I was steering my ship toward my “True North.”
The Three-Legged Stool of a Meaningful Life
Through this process, I discovered that a fulfilling life rests on a three-legged stool, and all three legs are needed to avoid a failed life. I wrote a book on this topic titled Finding Meaning and Success: Living a Fulfilled and Productive Life (Rowman & Littlefield, 2021).
1. Leg 1: Vision – Your Personal Mission Statement (PMS)
Your PMS is your compass. It answers profound questions:
What gives my life meaning?
What do I stand for?
What truly matters to me?
What kind of person do I want to become?
Having a clearly defined vision protects you from getting bogged down by trivial matters. It keeps you focused on what is essential.
2. Leg 2: Goals – Structuring Life Around What Matters
With my PMS in place, I created my life goals based on my PMS and structured them around the four fundamental dimensions of human nature:
Physical: Maintaining health through regular exercise, good sleep, and a nourishing diet.
Social/Emotional: Cultivating deep relationships with family, friends, and community.
Mental: Engaging in lifelong learning through reading, writing, and meaningful intellectual pursuits.
Spiritual: Living purposefully, embracing gratitude, and staying true to my values.
By organizing my goals in these categories, I created a roadmap for a balanced, meaningful life.
3. Leg 3: Action – Moving Forward Relentlessly
A clear vision (leg 1) and strong goals (leg 2) mean little without action (leg 3). Success in any field—whether personal or professional—requires consistent, relentless action.
Thomas Jefferson famously observed, “The harder I work, the more good luck I seem to have.” Action bridges the gap between dreams and reality.
History offers a powerful lesson in the perils of inaction. President Abraham Lincoln grew exasperated during the Civil War with General George McClellan, who refused to advance his troops. “McClellan has the slows,” Lincoln complained. Don’t have the slows. Seize opportunities. Take initiative. Move forward with urgency.
At the same time, learn to say no to distractions that pull you away from your purpose. Time is precious. Protect it fiercely.
Living Well to Die Well
In my book Achieving a Good Death: A Practical Guide to the End of Life (Bloomsbury, 2024), I dedicate an entire chapter to a powerful truth: Living well leads to dying well. I learned this from the nurses at Montgomery Hospice, where I work as a volunteer.
When we live in alignment with our values—building loving relationships, serving others, and acting purposefully—we will reach our final days with few regrets.
If you want to die peacefully, knowing that you lived fully, start today. Define your vision. Set meaningful goals. Take relentless action. Because in the end, a life well-lived is the greatest gift you can give yourself—and those you love.
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