Finding a Sense of Purpose in the Philippines

[bows00]

With retirement coming at the end of this year, I find myself thinking of how I will be spending my time in the Philippines.  

i will be 56, single, financially independent, and commuting from Hawaii to various locations until I find my ideal place to set down my roots.  

I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to find myself - to have a clean slate in life to discover who I really am.  I will spend a year looking within, and in my past... evaluating my strengths, and facing what I dislike and love to do.  Stephen Covey said it best - "You DETECT, rather than INVENT your purpose in life".  

Growing old does have it's benefits when done right and money is no longer a concern.  I will try to make the most of my new freedom in the Philippines...

[Queenie O.]

Bows-- sounds like a plan. The luxury of time when you no longer have to work, frees you up to explore your interests and options. Sometimes a purpose becomes clear over time?  I have just kind of relaxed more since moving here, stopped thinking about purposes and let things flow and play out as they go.

[bows00]

2 hours ago, Queenie O. said:

I have just kind of relaxed more since moving here, stopped thinking about purposes and let things flow and play out as they go.

Bottom line, are you happier now?  

[expatuk2014]

As like many here i am retired, we travel around a lot as the wife and sister want to visit as many churches as they can and i get to try different kinds of coffee and goodies from each place.

Such as peanut brittle from various markets. And different coffees, and it gets the wife out of the

Home and stops her washing clothes.

And compared to the UK i am much happier here

[sonjack2847]

When my wife gets back here I will ask her what my purpose is.

[Old55]

I'm looking at retirement shortly myself. It's a big step but honestly if the money is there IMO don't over think it too much. You are not burning bridges so honestly I agree with Queenie O....

[Mark Berkowitz]

My sense of purpose in the Philippines has been defined by learning about its culture and languages… but I don’t really see it as a purpose as such… it’s more of an adaption to what has become the new ‘normal’ for me.

Overall, I’m much happier over here than I was back in the US… but there are times when miss certain foods, such as over-stuffed sandwiches that are made on French/Italian breads with names that include: hoagies, subs, hero’s, grinders, po-boys and Philly Steak sandwiches.

 

Edited August 2, 2017 by Mark Berkowitz

[Jack Peterson]

9 minutes ago, Mark Berkowitz said:

but there are times when miss certain foods, such over-stuffed sandwiches that are made on French/Italian breads with names that include: hoagies, subs, hero’s, grinders, po-boys and Philly Steak sandwiches.

 Well mark, if Eating is one of your Purposes then you have found your "Shangri La"  let's face it, Food  and eating is the number one  pastime here

Edited August 2, 2017 by Jack Peterson

[Dave Hounddriver]

Finding a Sense of Purpose in the Philippines:

 

Easy!  A foreigner's purpose in the Philippines is to be a source of pesos to the local economy.  Other than that we would not be welcome here.

[Queenie O.]

1 hour ago, bows00 said:

Bottom line, are you happier now?  

Oh yeah..,. Can I add to that--I've been here a little over three years now and I'd say the first almost two years there was some angst and learning curve strains, but now I feel in the groove and am quite happy here.

Edited August 2, 2017 by Queenie O.