What Keeps You Going?

In my opinion, if one can be of service to others, that is the best way to live. Don't we feel our best when helping another? I have saved this quote from George Washington Carver:
"It is not the style of clothes one wears, neither the kind of automobile one drives, nor the amount of money one has in the bank, that counts. These mean nothing. It is simply service that measures success."

I think you should help your family and live for them but I don’t think that should be the big/only reason you live.
What keeps me going is dreams. while my dreams do often change they all have these things in common; A beach, the sun, fruit, a hammock, and
Some cool sunglasses.
Find the little things that make you happy and work up from there 🙂

@dfb since you asked “What keeps you going?” I will readily say that it is my faith in God. I am a Christian believer. I know that Mayo Clinic Connect is not the place to convert others to one’s spiritual beliefs, to diagnose ailments or to prescribe treatments ….. etc. We are here to support and encourage each other in our health journeys. We are not alone. But you did ask; so that is my answer. What brings you peace?

I agree with you. I only live for my daughter, to support her dreams, and mostly so I don’t cause her added grief and trauma. I hate life, but I love her.

My grandchildren

My husband just got a rare cancer. I am just barelly keeping my head above water. I'm not sure how people keep a home/caregive/take trips to the hospital w my spouse. I'm exhausted!

Every time I hear the Devil's voice from behind with a light tap on my shoulder, " So WHY do you think you need another month of life?"

It's this voice that often jolts me out of everything that is not what would make my next day or week spent with the assurance: "Well, I did keep doing to get the Most I could out of my last minutes and hours."

It also has helped me to know on their deathbeds what people regret most: Not working on developing enjoyable close connections, Not working too hard at the expense of what is more worthwhile in life, and Not taking more risks.

I have stopped trying to keep a journal. My 'partner' keeps reading it etc. I try to survive on my ssdi but livingon a couch and not having a key to the front door is hard to keep things in perspective. The couch seems more like a casket. No Options. With my health declining, Not much room for hope. I cant leave without anywhere to go. I have seen the end, it is near for me. Today is my birthday. 58 and feel like i died long ago

I will keep you in my prayers, hang in there! Blessings to you and I hope and pray 🙏 that things get better and better. I’m finding retirement hard to keep afloat financially and emotionally. It gets harder and harder to stay motivated to get out and make social connections that are more intentional now that I don’t have work to go to. I’m thinking of signing up for training for a as new consulting certification for helping others navigate dementia and helping family members. I feel it will give me some purpose, part time work and joy in helping others. Look into joining a church as well, that can always help! Blessings to you!