I agree, but I think there's a nuance to it. A sense of purpose provides direction, which is important. But people dying soon after leaving the work that defined them also likely lost their sense of self. It is unfortunate that many people, more men than women, associate their self-worth with what they do for a living. Their self-image lies in their careers, so that when they call it a day for whatever reason, there's nothing left.
True, they should have sought a new purpose, but I imagine that the ones who succumbed never quite got over the hump of leaving behind what defined them. It is unfortunate that we tend to derive our self-worth and identity by what we do for a living. We are more than that. Perhaps the people who sought a new purpose and flourished realized their lives had value irrespective of what they did and just continued on with the next phase of their lives.
True and sad. I left the corporate rat race at 27-- and i was shocked at how many folks were out and about when i use to be sitting in my cubicle as a slave.
I built my business to run while i was at work, and when i was able to quit, i had a permanent 6 day weekend-- as biz took a day or less per week. So it took awhile to get use to free time, this is why/how i got into the markets.
Cant imagine waiting till 65 to break free. #crazy.
surf