When I was approaching retirement I became concerned about what I was going to do with my time. Before I began working, I was an avid pool player. I gave pool up for 28 years while I was working, because work and a passion for gambling at pool was not compatible, at least, not for me. As I approached retirement I began playing pool again. The passion was still there. For the past 7 years since I retired, I have played pool several times a week and made pretty good money at it for the first 4 or 5 years. I still play, but with less of a money motive; I like to play doubles at $20 to $50 a head per game, which is "friendly," although you can pick up a nice piece of change. Occasionally, I'll play someone head up for the same amounts. But now I even enjoy just playing for fun. I still play good enough to beat most of the young players (20 to 50 yo).
Pool plus my AP play consumes a lot of time. Also, I am married and we go places together, such as a county fair coming up next week. We'll go down in the country to the fair, pick up a bunch of locally canned foods and preserves, a bushel of apples for $20, enjoy a picnic meal and shopping for crafts, and enjoy some country music.
Two weeks ago we visited family on Long Beach, LI, NY. Then last week the two of us went to AC where I played non-stop BJ, and she shopped non-stop (and spent very little, I might add). In November we're going to Vegas, where we have friends and family, and where you know what I'll be doing. It goes on and on.
At one time I had a little non-profit that served unsheltered homeless people. I did that for six years until the police rousted all the homeless I was working with from under the bridges where they were living. That work was very rewarding--anything where you're doing something for someone else is rewarding, and if you've ever done it, you know what I mean. I am now thinking of starting that activity up again. I guess in part it's the idea of having a purpose other than enjoying myself that appeals to me. Also, I am a typical Christian in that I have not really lived an ideal Christian life all these years, so as I get older I'm thinking time is running out for doing things I admire in others. If believing in something doesn't make you do anything different, I don't think the believing is worth much. Like everyone else, I am trying to work out the meaning of my life. I don't want to come to the end and look back and see that it was meaningless.
Funny you should ask me now, because I have been thinking of making this big change all week. I am completely sated with pool and BJ over the past several years. Time to do something worthwhile. I'll keep the pool and cards, too.
PS--This public statement may be just what I needed to get me up off my #ss. Now let's see if I follow through. :laugh: