A question came to mind regarding hope.

I was going to suggest that people reading this thread read Mans Search for Meaning. That book changes me every time I read it.

I am very old. I will be 90 next month. Since my husband died 3 years ago, I have lost hope of ever having a meaningful life. But yet I am still here - even without hope. I am relatively healthy. I live alone. I am independent. I can drive. In short, my age has not prevented me from living like a "normal" person. But still I do not look forward to however many years I have left. Please no religious remarks.

I am very old. I will be 90 next month. Since my husband died 3 years ago, I have lost hope of ever having a meaningful life. But yet I am still here - even without hope. I am relatively healthy. I live alone. I am independent. I can drive. In short, my age has not prevented me from living like a "normal" person. But still I do not look forward to however many years I have left. Please no religious remarks.

Although it would be high-time we think, consider in our noggins fully and completely, that this title, 'Man's Search for Meaning' should be thought of with inclusiveness of women, e.g. 'Women's Search for Meaning' which I am quite sure is considered or taken into consideration present day whenever any gender reads this amazing book. This book was assigned reading for my college Philosophy class circa 1982. It's been a book that I found difficult to read because of the raw truthful reality of not only the writer's real life experiences at the time he wrote the book but how the writer expressed himself in such a manner to enlighten humanity to open their eyes to the reality of just how far humanity can plummet downward to destroy one another. Over the years, I never forgot this book and about two-year ago found a copy of the book on EBay and reread it again and again.

Hope 'is' the light! Hope 'is' life itself!

This week I began my yearly campaign to control the invasive stilt grass that threatens to take over the woods behind our house. The stilt grass grows fast and kills the other ground cover plants.
Every morning I weed whack for one battery charge of the lightweight weed whacker.
It gives me about 15 minutes of exercise and by mid-June the ferns, sea oats and other small plants will have recovered.
Repeat in September.
This gives me hope!!!

I am very old. I will be 90 next month. Since my husband died 3 years ago, I have lost hope of ever having a meaningful life. But yet I am still here - even without hope. I am relatively healthy. I live alone. I am independent. I can drive. In short, my age has not prevented me from living like a "normal" person. But still I do not look forward to however many years I have left. Please no religious remarks.

Same here. We seniors (soon to be 77 & 80) moved 2 years ago to 6 acres, 10-15 miles from a good grocery chain. People think we’re nuts ( but others we know are leaving the sunny south back to the wintry north). We now have a pond, two gardens ( one with raised beds off the ground), wild apple trees etc. It’s a constant battle against weeds which don’t bother me ( husband too busy to help 😂). I bought a battery - run weedwhacker, leaf blower and chainsaw. Nothing new for me except the batteries. I’m in the process of removing bushes which require constant trimming and replacing with perennials. I get as much exercise as the batteries allow until they need charging, walk our dog every day down our quiet road and eat a few fresher vegetables than I can buy. My plan is put in more raised beds next year and get the pond stocked with bass. Gives me hope. PS. I don’t mind winter but arthritis makes it hard to go snowshoeing any more.

I am sorry for your loss and understand why you might feel hope-less. One day at a time is my motto so when I feel that way- I think of just one thing I can do today for someone else, not me. I will tell you that when I take the focus off of me me me (which I am very prone to do) and think of using my energy to help someone else, it is actually amazing how much better I feel. I second the book Mans Search for Meaning. I read it twice a year. I am sending you a hug. I have been there!