Helping people ain't all about beating the shit out of the things endangering them, you can't go around fighting tornados or tsunamis..unless you're all might i guess.
And I'm barely old! I'm not even fifty.
That's right, you've really got the spirit for it. If I were you I'd try and seek people out to practice against..friend or foe doesn't matter as long as you gain experience.
That also works! I find opponents are unnerving if they stay silent, especially so since I operate alot with my ears. I can usually guess intentions by tone of voice so when people are silent I'm left without a key asset of my own special senses.
I've been resting, giving me lots of time to plan and draft up some new ideas. Certainly finding out a way that I'll never get caught off guard like that again.