Have you fulfilled your potential?

eBay, no, I'd have problems with th inland revenue

I'm not sure I had any potential to fulfil. how does one know?However I am happy enough pottering about, still have DH which means a lot, and family and friends.

Not a lot I can do about it anyway! Bit flippin' late

Have I fulfilled my potential? - it is difficult to know what one's potential is or might have been. I've done lots of things that I am proud of: brought up a family, shared my love of music with others through running choirs and workshops and sparked that enthusiasm for lots of people, had two different careers that I think were worthwhile.

My biggest regret is not learning the piano - well, I had a few lessons, but then had to choose between that and the singing lessons, which won.

I do look back and think that I should have appreciated my good health while I had it, as life is a bit of a physical decline at present.

Whilst there are things that I would like to have achieved and haven't, I do think that we cannot achieve everything and I feel pretty content with what I have done.

Galen - might you consider becoming a phone person for Silverline, or is that not your sort of thing? You can do this sitting down. I am sure that with your background you could be a valuable person on any advice line. Having increasing physical limitations is so very frustrating - you have all my sympathy.

I know I could gave done better at school. I hated maths, if only I had tried harder I could have passed my 11 plus. It might have made all the difference if I could have sat GCE's. As it happens I had a very satisfying career as a RMN specialising in care of the elderly mentally ill. I don't regret a single day of that, but having no school qualifications to enter on application forms was rather embarrassing and may have held me back.

I shall cogitate profoundly on all your sage advice!
For now

Silverline - or indeed, CAB - would be my choice for you.

Good luck, Galen. Lots of options still available!

Sex chat line!?

I would point you toward CAB. You would be an asset to them - knowedgable, articulate and forthright.

Galen - be proud of all you have achieved.

Which is much more than most people.
I was told I could have got a State scolarship but I was unable to go ahead and do that and I think that defined my future.

But I am content now.

Charleygirl's suggestion is a good one.

Perhaps not! - scholarship

Galen not sure that you'd have problems with the Revenue for selling one item on eBay. I think they are only interested in people who are running businesses.
Sorry if that's intrusive, not intended to be.

I'm with janeainsworth on this, galen. Also, you could show the charity of your choice when advertising your item, which might encourage more people to bid on it.
I probably haven't reached my potential either, but it isn't something that concerns me. Would I have been any happier as I pushed myself towards that potential? More than likely not .

Galen - I empathise with feeling low, you've had such a lot of health and personal challenges it'd be a miracle if you weren't in a reflective mood.

Law would be an interesting area for you and you've so much to give. The cuts to legal aid mean there is a real need for support for people denied legal advice. You're medical / tribunal background means you have a real grounding - CAB/Law centres/MacKenzie friend are all options. All the court buildings are accessible to wheelchair users - worth a thought. Meanwhile, my Pollyanna gene recommends a bit of blessing counting (ducks behind sofa to avoid crochet work being shot across room by Galen's arrows)

Like some others I don't know really what my potential was / is.

It's not something I worry about. I like my 'normal' life and having a nice home, a loving family and good friends , I feel that's a good achievement.

I expect there are many things I could have done but I've worked hard, helped others when I could and been a little bit naughty at times so maybe that was the potential I had to achieve.

Blimey Galen if you feel that you "could have achieved more" it makes me look like one of life's complete failures !

You are 70. Not exactly ancient is it? and with a wealth of knowledge and experience that I am sure some organization would bite your hand off for.

I wonder if this is loneliness talking? Regret even?

In the words of Meera Syal. Life isn't all Ha Ha Hee Hee jings

No indeed. I know that very well. But on the whole I think self-analysis/criticism is not a good thing. It could be a downer, and what's the point in that?

Some people could do with more self analysis/critiscism imo.....

Agree Tegan - what's that quote ' the unexamined life is not worth living' .

I quoted Meera Syal to DD2 once which caused a strop (ooh dear!)

I think CAB as someone suggested, or something similar, would be a good idea Galen.
You have so much expertise and knowledge it would be good to use it to help people and give you a sense of fulfilment.

Galen you may also find something interesting at your local U3A. You would be learning and meeting people.

My local U3A has lunches out on Sundays for those who are on their own. I am sure that not every restaurant is suitable but if you went for Sunday lunch regularly, the organiser would soon latch on that it should be a disabled friendly restaurant. I am aware that they all should be but from personal experience I know that they are not. 2-3 steps to you and me are a mountain whereas others do not understand.

Now is the time to get things moving.

Jings, I agree, self analysis of what is past, being regretful, can be self defeating and as you say a downer. However I do think the "Today is the first day of the rest of you life" and we can have an effect on what is to come. Unfortunately, so can others, which is a bit of a bugger.