What defines a fulfilling or satisfying life?

Answer 1

It depends on who's life it is, they could tell you best. Some people are content with what they have, some are never satisfied. There isn't one response to suit everyone equally well.

Answer 2

Not too long ago I had the life-changing experience of sitting with an old friend as he lie on his deathbed.
He was well aware of his situation and faced it calmly.
We talked about his life and things he had done throughout his 80+ years. He was satisfied that he had done some traveling, had some adventures, loved some women, been in the navy, had some good long time friends, was able to help others with his profession.
I found it striking that he also had a clear cut memory of an old regret, that once someone asked him for help and he refused, for what seemed like a good reason at the time.That was something that stuck with him till the end.
He also wished that he had made more friends, he said that you can never have enough of them.
What made him feel the best was that he felt he had been of service to a lot of people through his lifetime. He had the unique opportunity to be of service to people in their time of need, and I think that is why he was able to face death so calmly.
My life will never be the same after that. I learned something.

Answer 3

As everyone else has said, it is different for different people.
I'm in my 50's now. When I was a very little girl I used to do this exercise (admittedly I was an old soul) that I was very old and on my deathbed. I thought about what kinds of things would be important to me as I looked backed over my life. I knew that I wanted to have more adventures than everyone I knew and that I wanted to be a person who helped people, not someone who hurt people. I very simply had divided everyone in the world into those two categories.

If asked now, I would say to have as much pleasure as possible and to give any help I can along the way.

I have had a spectacularly adventurous life and I am a person who helps people and tries not to hurt people. It all has worked out pretty well. :)

And when I use the word pleasure I'm talking about art, music, in home massages, travel, reading, friends, etc.

Answer 4

Not one person can really define what a fulfilling life would be for someone else. If I had to guess, though...

However corny it sounds, I would really have to say helping other people and making the world a better place. If, at the end of your life, you can think of something you have done to significantly change someone's life for the better, then I believe you have fulfilled your purpose.

Answer 5

Everyone's life has a different meaning. For me a fulfilling life is one lived on the 'middle path', realising that a human being has needs and longings and some if not all of those needs and longings must be met.
The source of all evil happens when a person is denied a balanced existence.

Answer 6

Life is what you make of it. A fulfilling or satisfying life would be one where you make choices on what you value and not based on what everyone else values and after you make your choices you own them by taking responsibility for the choices that you have made.

Answer 7

For me; reasonable job with reasonable pay, reasonable hours. Wife of long marriage. Wonderful son. Lots of vacations. Lots of Saturdays at the movies. And answering questions here on Yahoo.

Answer 8

Achieving goals set out for. Never having to say what if.....Never settle for less, Go for Your dreams because in the end they are what are driving your heart.