“I wake up in the morning asking myself, ‘What can I do today? How can I help the world today?'” That simple morning question, from Julia Hill, included at the beginning of Chapter 9, Helping Humanity, in our book, Midlife, New Life: Living Consciously in Midlife and Beyond, might be one of the most powerful habits you can adopt. It reframes midlife and beyond not as winding down, but as waking up — a season when purpose, wisdom, and freedom converge into something extraordinary: the chance to genuinely help humanity with environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
Start With What Sets Your Heart on Fire
You cannot fix everything — and you were never meant to. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals provides a framework for helping humanity, from ending poverty and hunger to climate action and clean water. Rather than feeling overwhelmed, let these goals guide one honest question: What am I passionate about? My conscious living manifesto declares, “I stand for clean water” — for the oceans, the rivers, and fresh water to drink for all. Your cause may be different: the air we breathe, the earth that grows our food, or eliminating discrimination. Whatever the humanitarian cause, claiming it can transform vague concerns into focused action.
Rewrite the Story of Aging
Helping humanity also means helping each other. Consider this: 82% of Americans aged 50 and older have experienced age-based discrimination in their daily lives. That is not a statistic to accept — it is a call to action. Challenge dismissive language when you hear it. Educate yourself first, then others. As Ken Dychtwald and Robert Morison wrote in their book, What Retirees Want, “Ageism sucks. Not only is ageism bad for older people, it’s also bad for business.” Your voice and role-model behavior can help change the conversation about aging and other forms of discrimination.
Lead From Where You Stand
We are all leaders. You do not need a title to make a difference. You can support candidates whose values align with yours, join activist organizations, lobby legislators, or simply share what matters to you with your family, friends, and community. You can also join or convene conversations that matter. Listen to understand and contribute, not to win an argument.
Attention. Intention. Action.
The model is simple: give your attention to a humanitarian cause, set your intention for what you stand for and how you wish to show up in the world, and then take responsible action. Midlife is not the end of your story. It is the chapter where you ask Mary Oliver’s question – what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? Ask yourself today: What’s my contribution to helping humanity? What can I do today?
Watch this video to learn more about Helping Humanity:
