Finding 'Deep Purpose' In The Second Half Of Life

Writer and professor Arthur Brooks joins Morning Joe to discuss the lessons from his new book 'From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Your Life.'

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Finding 'Deep Purpose' In The Second Half Of Life

[ronkirk]

I took ten years off work when I hit 35 and when I went back to work, I retired early at 54. Not good career moves, but I've had much more time off to backpack, sail, paddle and bicycle tour than most folks my age. I'm now 71 and still going strong. Paddled the coast of Maine last summer, backpacked the Long Trail in Vermont in the fall and this wintered paddled 6 weeks on the St Johns river and ICW in Florida. More bicycle touring planned this winter in Florida and a Colorado trail thru hike this summer. Stay active and stay young (at heart).

[Rnankn]

LOL, I needed to eat greens, go outside and do yoga at 25. But it worked wonders. Dealt with some hard stuff, looked better, felt better, and rediscovered myself all because of that holy triad.

[selah]

Needed this reminder and redirection at THIS moment… thank you “want what you have”

[urielriley]

Wow this is such a great episode. I love Morning Joe💯💜🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀

[ricardodsavant]

Last year, having reached the second half of my life, I quit my job. Now I grow and sell organic cannabis and psilocybin mushrooms and couldn't be happier. 🙂

[stuarto]

It’s so true, i just dropped all of the people i know and now I realise what a fkkn drag they were on me
Especially with all their issues forever borrowing money drinking / drug taking, overdoing it, thinking I’m their personal cab or handyman yet when I ever asked them for something RADIO SILENCE, why i never done it sooner is beyond me, i got more time for me and what I want to do, i got more money, don’t have to drive all over the place and no more being a dog’s body

Like Whitney Houston sang
“ I’d rather be alone than unhappy “

[IExpectedBSJustNotThisMuchBS]

Love it. Happiness is love. As someone whose sudden disability in my late 40s was something my partner couldn’t handle (didn’t sign on for — news: I didn’t either), I was left in a position where I’m too sick to make real life friends let alone have love in my life. Because I have income that would allow me a dinner out once a week, but a body that can’t do that, I’ve invested the little energy I have in producing something that will help the elderly and infirm. Not only is it meditative, but it allows me to put love out in the world. Love doesn’t have to be romantic and it doesn’t have to be directed toward you to benefit from having love in your life. Also, I thought I had real friends and not deal friends and so so many people who become debilitatingly I’ll. People over estimate their capacity to be a real friend. Remember this when a friend becomes I’ll and dispatch with the excuses and character assassinations that protect you from having to cope with the reality of life.

[jamiemiller]

The older I get the happier I've become. I just turned 40, my youngest child just started college, and I feel so free and optimistic. I was dreading getting older, but this is the best place I have ever been mentally. It's harder to lose weight but the benefits out weight the weight.

[DC-kxqj]

I started meditating in the early 70s. I'm convinced it has literally saved my life more than once.

[garlicbreathandfarts]

I moved the Mediterranean and go diving and fishing all the time. I love my old man purpose.

[catalinacurio]

Get busy living life, things you always wanted to do but never did, skiing is great fun as is travelling. 😊

[devilmtn]

This is for real. Try it. What have you got to lose? ♥️

[curiousk]

Start being honest about your "feelings" would be helpful.

[jeanlynch]

I'd be a lot happier if this country wasn't heading towards facist authoritarianism.

[danieldesimonedanny]

Retired at 50 now its all fishing & hunting and long range marksmanship. Tons of $$$ and a nice house I bought cash.

[amyfriedlander]

Here's a problem: in our youth- obsessed culture, few people want to learn from other people's experience and learning.

[HopeWins]

Yes yes and yes! I have crested the 60 years threshold and am finally getting a handle on my newfound freedom and getting comfortable with my redefined life goals. After three years, I am finally adjusting and appreciating my new mission in life after forty years of raising children. I do wish I had taken better care of myself and spent less time trying Shield my kids from life and its pitfalls, but only because they found them anyway. I would have had more money now but more money can always be earned. The biggest thing is you only get one body and you better take care of it. Even at the expense of helping others sometimes. Live and learn. I just now pray I get to live out a long and happy Sunset of life. Doing what I can with what I have. Learning lessons from the past and then forgetting what lies behind and turning toward the prize ahead. Never quit people. One life. No refunds. Make It Count.

[JohnnyPeacenic]

When you get older you only fight for the most important things

[freedomfinder]

Thanks for this interview! More like this, please.

[georgebutler]

I LOVE HOW THE RICH DESCRIBE HAPPINESS, I'VE SPENT MY WHOLE LIFE IN SURVIVAL MODE T'M NOW 62 YEARS OLD A DISABLED VETERAN ON A FIXED INCOME I SPENT A LARGE PART OF MY LIFE HOMELESS I DID FIND MY HAPPINESS IN THE MOUNTAINS BUT OUR GOVERNMENT TOOK THAT FROM ME BACK WHEN GW BUSHITTER WAS PRESIDENT