I feel like I haven't contributed to this world

[Rad1um]

31 years old here. I have a good stable life. I have a good stable savings. Ive learned C++, got my EMT license, studying German, volunteered at several convalescent homes and attend church just to help out the people in need. I contribute to my city as much as i can. Part of the local elementary and junior high school Parent/Teacher council. Its not much but i've started 2 new food bank in 2 separate cities that give out food on a weekly basis. And I rent an apartment complex for 800 dollars a month for the sole purpose of letting all the kids who dont have computers or internet access to come and do their homework. I have 11 desktops and 5 laptops, 2 laser printers all ready in case anyone wants to use it. In one of the poorest neighborhoods and nobody has ever tried stealing from me. Sometimes the parents come in and search for jobs. And im really happy about all of this.

* Why do I state all these skills acquired and things ive set up?????

I have come to the conclusion that, I've done most of this stuff out of sheer boredom. I think that im hitting mid life crisis or something because none of these things feel like any kind of accomplishment. I mean what EXACTLY did I manage to do?? ANYONE could have done any of this, hell, people ARE doing way more. Making a significant contribution to society and here I am doing the same thing I was doing yesterday, the same thing I will be doing the day to come. WHERE is this going? It feels like its just the same. I need to do something. Maybe even run for city council. I've thought about it. Politics??? I dont think im cut out for that stuff. I give a shit about the people too much to do something so selfish.

I called my city and asked them for a meeting to see if we can knock out some of the poverty. They said that there are no funds available and that there are public social services available to those in need. What do I see not even 3 months later? A brand new fucking FOUNTAIN and beautiful steps walking inside a police department. NO FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY, but lets build a huge fountain of water with BIG BOLD GOLD letters.

Have any of you felt like you're just a consuming bag of meat? Throughout all the skills I've acquired throughout everything that we have done. Food drives and mass blanket giveaways, it feels like its a culmination of NOTHING.

[Antbregante]

It sounds to me like you did quite a lot. You just don't give yourself enough credit.

[Thetruth1400]

Sounds like a midlife crisis at it's finest. Best bet is to realize that, do something that's going to make you feel like you're contributing, then move on.

It happens to everyone, but if you're having serious trouble coping with it, talk to a therapist, it's the best thing you can do.

[Wreckeded]

Maybe helping people just doesn't provide satisfaction. Must be why nobody else does it.

[Stir]

Boredom is the best incentive we've got.

Take cats. Cats don't get bored. When they don't have something to do, they'll just sleep. For hours. Sure, they'll want to excersise, but that's not because they're bored.. It's because they feel like moving more than they do sleeping.
Dogs are also good at the lazy.
Lions are masters of it, in the mammal category of things.

Humans? We get bored. And when we get bored, we want to stave off the boredom. So we start doing things. Inventing things, helping people, coming up with simple life hacks, writing stories, songs, plays... And we build things.

Take the spear. It's a simple device, really. Human hunt. Human kill. Human eat. Human shelter against weather? Human more time AFTER because human already comfortable. So human have spare time. Hmm... Human make pointy stick that makes hunting easier. Human hunt with pointy stick; human saves time. Human have more spare time. Human grow bored...
Human invent new ways to kill things with sticks. First stick with sharp bone. Stick with sharp rock. Sharp rock sideways on stick makes easier shelter. Human save time. Storing power in stick with string, launching other stick far away saves time. Human more time...
Human make language. Language make human plan more efficiently, teach more efficiently and teach more. Human save time. Human get smarter. Human make stuff with smarts. Human save time. Human start fire. Human cooks leaves and roots. Human can now digets cooked leaves and roots. Human needs to hunt less. Human saves time... Human comes up with more ideas.

Human make computer. Computer does lots of calculations for human, and make writing faster, planning faster, and allows for talking to other humans at the other end of the planet. Human save time...

Boredom is perhaps our greatest gift. The next time you grow bored, try to remember all the wonderful things you can do because humans grow bored. Appreciate boredom.

[Nostop it]

31 years old here. I have a good stable life. I have a good stable savings. Ive learned C++, got my EMT license, studying German, volunteered at several convalescent homes and attend church just to help out the people in need. I contribute to my city as much as i can. Part of the local elementary and junior high school Parent/Teacher council. Its not much but i've started 2 new food bank in 2 separate cities that give out food on a weekly basis. And I rent an apartment complex for 800 dollars a month for the sole purpose of letting all the kids who dont have computers or internet access to come and do their homework. I have 11 desktops and 5 laptops, 2 laser printers all ready in case anyone wants to use it. In one of the poorest neighborhoods and nobody has ever tried stealing from me. Sometimes the parents come in and search for jobs. And im really happy about all of this.

* Why do I state all these skills acquired and things ive set up?????

I have come to the conclusion that, I've done most of this stuff out of sheer boredom. I think that im hitting mid life crisis or something because none of these things feel like any kind of accomplishment. I mean what EXACTLY did I manage to do?? ANYONE could have done any of this, hell, people ARE doing way more. Making a significant contribution to society and here I am doing the same thing I was doing yesterday, the same thing I will be doing the day to come. WHERE is this going? It feels like its just the same. I need to do something. Maybe even run for city council. I've thought about it. Politics??? I dont think im cut out for that stuff. I give a shit about the people too much to do something so selfish.

I called my city and asked them for a meeting to see if we can knock out some of the poverty. They said that there are no funds available and that there are public social services available to those in need. What do I see not even 3 months later? A brand new fucking FOUNTAIN and beautiful steps walking inside a police department. NO FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY, but lets build a huge fountain of water with BIG BOLD GOLD letters.

Have any of you felt like you're just a consuming bag of meat? Throughout all the skills I've acquired throughout everything that we have done. Food drives and mass blanket giveaways, it feels like its a culmination of NOTHING.

Sounds like you need to have kids. This is how a lot of men feel this day and age. A man is supposed to do what he was meant to do. Theres this book you should read Mansfield's book of manly men. If you have kids then just ignore this but if you don't then it sounds like it's what your missing.

[PBitt]

Most people (myself included) do a lot less in regards to helping other people. When I'm bored I do something like reading a book or watching a movie. I've done some community service in my time, enjoyed doing it, but mostly did it because I had to. I'll donate money to stuff like little league, girl scouts and occasionally big disaster relief funds and hold the door open for little old ladies but that's about it. I don't have the finances to do anything like you did, but even if I was a bit better off, I wouldn't think I would go to the extent you do to help people in need, that's a really nice thing you're doing and is probably more than I'll contribute to strangers my entire life. You seem to be doing this without wanting any personal gain other than perhaps feeling good about it...and that's pretty damn rare. You're certainly a better man than me.

Either way, you don't mention a relationship/kids. Perhaps you need to spend more time for yourself....you can only do so much to help other people, you can't forget to help yourself somewhere in there too. You can't always worry about making other people when you are not.

[sugarlily]

You've done selfless & compassionate things for others. If there were more ppl like you, considerate of & helping others, many more ppl would be better off.

I have a sneaking suspicion that some outside source, an ex or a harsh parent's judgments still ring in your ears on a daily basis & you don't always see yourself for who you are but as the naysayer(s) that have mistreated/misjudged you.

*pats on back* imo, you've done good things & contributed more than most.

Also the fact that you've "done the same thing today as you will tomorrow" gives those in need that you're helping a steady & stable person/the resources you provide to turn to. Stability is huge for those who are in need.

[swineflu]

I agree with the OP...he hasn't really contributed anything to this world.

[Deleted]

I agree with the OP...he hasn't really contributed anything to this world.

most never do.
I'd say he's done more than the average person.

[Rad1um]

Dont get me wrong, some people might thing this is a ploy to get the pitty party going. Get myself pats on the back. And I get where everyone is coming from, ive done THINGS. But haven't you guys just sat there and asked yourselves, how have I made an impact to society? Or to the general populous? Not just what you can do for yourself, but what we can all do for each other. That recent report that of the worlds 85 richest people is = to the 3.5 poorest people in terms of wealth.. What im talking about is, we as a WHOLE are as rich as they are. We just haven't done anything significant enough to make it show. We just dont see it. I dont know. Now im just ranting. But i know i cant be the only one going through this here at MMO

[yetgdhfgh]

Me Neither

Oh well....

[Barbariangreataxe]

Me Neither

Oh well....

This is pretty much exactly how I feel.

[Rhaide]

31 years old here. I have a good stable life. I have a good stable savings. Ive learned C++, got my EMT license, studying German, volunteered at several convalescent homes and attend church just to help out the people in need. I contribute to my city as much as i can. Part of the local elementary and junior high school Parent/Teacher council. Its not much but i've started 2 new food bank in 2 separate cities that give out food on a weekly basis. And I rent an apartment complex for 800 dollars a month for the sole purpose of letting all the kids who dont have computers or internet access to come and do their homework. I have 11 desktops and 5 laptops, 2 laser printers all ready in case anyone wants to use it. In one of the poorest neighborhoods and nobody has ever tried stealing from me. Sometimes the parents come in and search for jobs. And im really happy about all of this.

* Why do I state all these skills acquired and things ive set up?????

I have come to the conclusion that, I've done most of this stuff out of sheer boredom. I think that im hitting mid life crisis or something because none of these things feel like any kind of accomplishment. I mean what EXACTLY did I manage to do?? ANYONE could have done any of this, hell, people ARE doing way more. Making a significant contribution to society and here I am doing the same thing I was doing yesterday, the same thing I will be doing the day to come. WHERE is this going? It feels like its just the same. I need to do something. Maybe even run for city council. I've thought about it. Politics??? I dont think im cut out for that stuff. I give a shit about the people too much to do something so selfish.

I called my city and asked them for a meeting to see if we can knock out some of the poverty. They said that there are no funds available and that there are public social services available to those in need. What do I see not even 3 months later? A brand new fucking FOUNTAIN and beautiful steps walking inside a police department. NO FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY, but lets build a huge fountain of water with BIG BOLD GOLD letters.

Have any of you felt like you're just a consuming bag of meat? Throughout all the skills I've acquired throughout everything that we have done. Food drives and mass blanket giveaways, it feels like its a culmination of NOTHING.

Stop looking for an over-arching meaning. Look for purpose in immediacy. If you're religious, you believe ultimately, this world doesn't matter. If you're not religious, you probably believe you're going to rot in the ground. Either way, you don't need to 'leave a mark' on the world because once you're gone, you're gone. And in any case, 99.99999% of people AREN'T going to leave a mark on the world. It's sheer luck, anyone who tells you it is simply hard work is naive. You usually have to work hard to do something important, but you MUST be lucky to get the chance to do so in any case.

Find people, activities, and motivations to keep you going for the here and now. Learn to enjoy yourself and you'll quickly forget about 'accomplishing something'.

[Mormolyce]

Eh, contributing is overrated. Ask yourself what YOU want out of life.

[Drunkenfinn]

You shouldn't think your actions don't matter just because "anyone could do it"....
There's a lot of things "anyone could do" and yet so few actually do anything.

I'd say you've done plenty of good things and contributed to society judging from your post.

[Pulverize]

I think a mid life crisis is what you are experiencing, but were gonna call this 'realization'. You say that all that you have done, which is alot compared to most, feels like it was worth nothing in the end and in the end; your right man. But this is only because in the grand scheme of things, we aren't really here for any real reason. I know you want to find a reason to exist but there isn't really, just to enjoy life. That's kinda where a lot of people come up with selfish mindsets, because why do others matter in the end to you?

[OneSent]

You don't have to contribute anything to the world. I'm not bothered by it as I don't actively contribute anything either. At least not in the form of service or money.

I smile, I listen, I'm patient, I'm respectful and I'm overly kind to the people I cross paths with on a daily basis, almost to a point where it's extreme. Those actions do more for the world than any public service or donation ever could, as far as I'm concerned.

If you can look back on your 31 years of life and realize that you've been good to people the whole way, then you can take comfort in knowing that you have contributed to this world.

If, however, you look back and realize you've treated others with disdain, as nothing more than mere object or an inconvenience to your all-important path in life, then no amount of material contribution will ever make up for that.

[Jackmoves]

You cant change the world. Just make sure you and yours are as happy as you can be, live a full life. Dont become bitter.

[Feral Camel]

As Mormolyce said, find out what you want in life.

Maybe you should work out a 10 year plan of where you'd like to be and start working out a strategy.

Also might be worth while, if you have the cash, just jump on a plane and get away from it all. If you don't have the confidence to travel alone, do a tour. Have a break away from the daily grind / bullshit!

Best of luck anyway!