In your life right now, do you consider yourself thriving, surviving or decaying?

In the past, most of my life has been surviving. I even had a period of around 7 years in my 30s (the 90s) when I was thriving. For that short period I was physically, mentally, socially, spiritually and financially at my life's peak performance.

Now I am decaying. Mentally, spiritually and financially I am surviving but physically I fight a losing battle daily. Socially I am at an all-time low.

I recall, during my 30s I was not aware that I was thriving. Life felt like a struggle to survive. Only by examining my life as a whole am I able to make such a comparison.

Right now I am content because I must accept my physical restrictions. I realize the inevitable decay of my vitality as time marches on. Perhaps one day I will look back at this moment and see it as a positive period?

When was your period of thriving? Are you thriving now?
While you were thriving, were you aware that you were thriving or did you feel that you were just struggling to survive?

hmmm, nobody <crickets>

I fight.

these are for both of you ...

I hear ya, me too. Everyday, sometimes moment by moment. So far I am winning too.
But, on review, has your whole life so far been a constant battle?
At the time it seems so but upon review, for me, I had a period of less struggle where things seemed to be more favorable than most.

I put one foot in front of the other each day and move forward... I only ask the Lord above for things and help when I truly need it.. the rest is up to me... I try to make clear precise decisions... I don't jump before I look... and I try to stay positive and upbeat each day... and let the day take me where it will... but I stay.. in the driver seat of my life at all times

I'm thriving. Not at the peak yet, but what I'm doing is part of getting there. And it's about the journey anyways, isn't it!
I got my book published, more is on the way.
I am painting and I got high hopes for that too.
I've found an absolutely great guy.

Financially there's lots to be desired, I cannot do whatever I want, barely can do anything really. Even buying clothes is difficult.
But... I can't complain, and I won't. I have a home, a large garden, still managed to hang on to my car and so on.
And if I do and get what I'm working on, it can only get better.
And I also got my freedom which means a lot to me.

Health-wise... I've got chronic stuff ever since I was 27. Not pleasant, but I won't let that stop me. Sure I can't do what someone without these ailments can do, so what?
I still got my book published, I look good, I am happy, I found great love, I go out, I play drums, I paint, and so on.

I am thriving. And I am happy!

Im not sure there was ever a time in my life where I felt was completely thriving, but I have had periods of my life where I felt like my life was either decaying or a fight for survival.

The higher thriving periods were probably in my mid 20s , and the higher survival periods were in my mid thirties .

At the moment I would say some areas are thriving, and some Im just surviving in. Its more balanced now I think , which I rather like :)

Also , a lot of thriving has to do with the mind set, and I actually think I have more of a thriving mindset at my present age than I did in my 20s when areas of my life were technically more successful.

Ps: I admire you for handling this challenging time in your life with so much grace Tom

lol,,, I haven't thrived since I got out of high school,,,life has always been survival,,,with blessings sprinkled in,,,

I am what I am. I go with the flow

I am what I am. I go with the flow

Life is a constant battle/struggle more or less for everyone, Sir. It is if you like a long learning experience lesson ... I constantly learn everyday and try to find peace in my heart, share a positive vibe for a person in need anytime I have the chance to do so. Thank you.

Um I dunno depends on the day and my outlook I guess..
my health is not where I would like it to be but this doctor
seems to better than the last four I fired so we shall see
oh ...just crap with my thyroid acting up
not life threatening just something I been dealing with since I
was diagnosed in 2000

depends on how far back I look ..five years ago I was still married
still miserable in my own life
still having to answer to someone else everytime I wanted to sneeze
still stuck out in the country, not in school and feeling trapped in my own life..like I was only put on this planet to take care of everyone else's needs..the kids, the pets, the house, the husband

definitely down-sized since then
don't have the need for the 3 bed house full of furniture right now
but that too may change in a year when I graduate
getting a little tired of it..being in school
been doing that off and on for years
but full time for the past four straight with one to go
looking forward to a time in my life when I can just work

This..

You, Ma'am have earned my respect. Hang in there. Hugs!

Surviving, and of course I don't mean in some sort of detrimental health issues. I can't really say there has been a time of thriving, unless we count childhood. Even then it was more of a time of surviving, as far as school went.

Perhaps I would go with decaying, as I see more of my possible humanity chipping, and slipping away with passing years on this planet. Even my empathy is slowly wearing away, as I become more like a rock as opposed to how I could be more cuddly.

I'm gettin' real good at barely gettin' by. Think I'll call it thriving.

I heard that quote a long time ago. I remember it raised my spirits because it was so true to how I saw life.


Thanx Peggy. Every extra day I am alive is not a blessing but it would be unfair to myself and others to be cranky about it. Being rude to people is not going to change my conditions. Taking it slow and easy is a lot better.


I still have empathy for others but it has changed. Seeing others as individuals causing their own problems due to delusions they cannot see.


I used to think that way too. Even during the period of my life when I was thriving, more so actually. At that time in my life, my thriving period, I was much more stressed about everything. I was always tired, always feeling I needed to perform better and always concerned about the impression I was making on others.
Constantly operating at 150% or more I took very little time to reflect on what I was learning as life wisdom. I was in a perpetual state of driven hunger for more.
I pushed so hard I failed to heed my physical limitations. I burned myself out physically. Then, once my body started to fail, my head failed to heed.
I spent a decade fighting my physical limitations before my brain caught up. Right before my body crashed, I was fighting to hold onto everything, too afraid to let go for even one day less everything comes crashing down.

Fighting to survive switched to fighting to live. Everything was lost. I was stripped of everything I thought was important.

My engine stalled and I slowed to a crawl. When I finally switched gears and popped the clutch to restart my engine I was barely moving. My dr told me if I tried to burn rubber again my engine would be forever lost so I feathered the gas and crept slowly back to life. I keep my speed slow and my engine running. Now I get to look at the scenery and I realize, its beautiful!

Struggling is a something not constant, I myself I move with both.