Have you fulfilled your potential?

No, I don't think you're alone, Galen. I find myself frequently thinking of that saying "at the end of your life you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the things you did". I think there are many in my case

I used to think that, but then I thought - I have had a really quite exciting life, what the hell. I may not be a millionaire or done all the things I dreamt of, but I like my life.

I feel the same. Some of it is because of not having the same self-knowledge when I was sixteen as I have now. I made the 'mistake' of taking the advice of people who thought they knew what was best for me, with the best possible intentions on their parts, but they were wrong. I didn't have the confidence at sixteen to insist on my choices. However, I did learn from this and hopefully my daughters benefited. Hey ho.

You are not alone Galen, I certainly feel like that, but I have stopped beating myself up on this one as I have realised everyone would need several lives to fulfil their potential and that often the information you need to understand your own capacity comes after the possibility to do so.

I also know that health and energy levels put a break on some of the things I now have time to do. Life's a b.... really but don't let it get you down.

Just feel that reaching the end of my life, I should have done more! Don't know what , but?

Sounds like you've done an awful lot to me, Galen

Similar to others. My life has been a series of generally happy accidents, not well planned. When i was in my 50's I was disapointed that i had not achieved more, but stress was the limiting factor for me.
Now when I look back I am content with my life, we have lovely children/grand children, our health, a roof over our heads and money left over at the end of the month.

I often wish I hadn't been sucked into the 'marry young, have children, support your husband with his career' ethos but then I wouldn't have had them so it can't have been all bad.

I don't suppose anyone's going to come on here and say I've done a fantastic job and completely fulfilled my potential'. Modesty is a Gran thing but I bet there are people reading this who have led really interesting lives and helped other people in all sorts of ways. This could range from quietly bringing up a happy family (easier said than done) to feats of bravery and all points in between. Even if life hasn't gone well, will people not have learned from it? Is that a kind of fulfillment?

Yep I feel the same. The trouble is it is so easy to look back with hindsight.

Blimey galen you are the same age - more or less as me I haven't nearly reached the end of my life ! and neither have you sod it!!!

My only regret was not having our children earlier, we married young, but due to ill health on my part we had to put off starting our family until quite late. But there was nothing we could do about that, so just fate.

No! I feel that when DH died 12years ago this month. I went into a decline! I should have socialised more, taken up my interest in law, that sort of thing.
Now I'm practically chair bound I'm really regretting it, and dreading when they tribunals stop a year in March!

Looking back, some would say that there was no way that I would be in the situation I am now. Two alcoholic parants (if you can call them that) Father went to prison for GBH, lots of violence.
Then at 18 fate took a hand. Fast forward, my OH and myself were able to retire at 55, buy a house abroard, sell that, buy our Motohome, see most of Europe and meet some amazing people.
So yes, I've reached more than my potential.

I certainly feel you've done a great deal in helping others *Galen, which is not of inconsiderable worth. You also display lots of fortitude, which is not to be sniffed at.

Sometimes I feel what you've expressed. From a poor education and unhappy childhood, I set my expectation bar very low. Fortunately, I turned it around and worked in an area which made complete sense. Those sad days still hover, but as I grow older I find increasing pleasure in the minutiae of everyday life. It is as it is. Onwards........

The only thing hindsight is good for, in many cases, is beating yourself up

It's sad that you feel that way Galen, although understandable why, when ill health prevents you doing many things. Maybe something else will pop up to replace your tribunal work? You clearly have many valuable skills, are there other ways you could exploit them, arthritis permitting?

You sound really low, which is sad x

Well - what is stopping you taking up your interest in law now? Even if physically it is difficult you can surely realize that potential - there are courses you can do from home - look at the OU. Doing a course with the OU will of course get you in contact with like minded people.

Look at a year in March as a challenge and plan and begin to fill your life up with other stuff. You have so much to offer and I am sure there are groups who would love your help.

I don't expect that I have but I'm not particularly bothered. At the time I could have done things it was generally the wrong time. I wish I had done more when young but I was too shy, you can't change that- it improved with age. It is never too late anyway - if I wanted to do things I could now.

On the face of it I feel I did not reach my potential. There are paths I wish I had not taken, and other paths that I only now know were possible, with hindsight.
Oh to have a wise head on young shoulders.

I recall divorcing at 46 and my son who was at uni, encouraging me to consider a uni course. However with a home to keep and having a job I was sure of, and a son to look out for....... It seemed unattainable and was pushed to the side.

But we do not know if reaching our potential would equate with happiness.
And perhaps wishing and dreaming of what our potential might have been depends on how content we are at our present time of life.

Another cheery thread.

Well, I'm pretty happy with what I've done, most of it probably mundane, and frequently dictated by circumstances.
I couldn't have been a Dr. (my mother's choice of career for me!) I was too fed up with academia by the time I left school.
Possibly I might have made better choices, who knows!

How do you know what your potential was?

I suppose my main problem at the moment is boredom. I HATE being bored.
I'm reading 1-2 novels a day. CBA to take up a new crochet project and have been too ill with combination of this urti and arthritis flare up to go to archery.
I'm trying to find some cause that would like the throw I crocheted to raffle?
The wool cost £80. So I don't want it raffled for £30!
Any ideas?

Stop being bored and do a course like something with the OU. Try doing some art. When you are feeling better perhaps you could do some volunteer work like reading to someone or teaching someone to read etc.

There are loads of causes what are your personal favourites? Mine is children so I would see if a childrens' charity is interested in it. Mind you it is rather lovely.

You could try selling your handiwork on ebay, Galen, and donate the profits to a cause of your choice?

Galen you know that the tribunal work will stop in a year's time so as others have intimated, now is the time to start something else. I personally think that you need to meet like minded people, you do not want to be staring at 4 walls in a year's time.

Medical law would be fascinating and you could break it down further as that is very broad, to a specific medical subject which you enjoy.