If I say "retirement," what are the first five words that come
to your mind? If they are "leisure," "relaxation," "comfort,"
"golf" and "old age," you're thinking about yesterday's
retirement. This is the 21st century, when the new 60 looks
like the old 40. And when retiring means "growth," "new
opportunities," "excitement," "challenge," and "self-discovery."
Look on the bright side. When you retire, you have more time to
pursue your passions. That's what Harry did. He was an on-air
personality in the Midwest for most of his working life. When he
retired, he moved to Sedona, AZ, where he had sought refuge
during the years when the hectic pace of his life left him
exhausted.
For the first couple of years, he played tennis and read. But
soon he got bored, so he turned to photography -- an early love
abandoned when he got his first big job. Before long his photos
were published. Then he started a small greeting card company.
He didn't need the money, so he donated the proceeds to a local
arts program for teenagers. Then he put the two together and his
greeting-card company offered exciting intern programs for
aspiring artists. Harry still plays tennis three times a week,
but he isn't bored any more.
Photography and tennis may not be your thing. But I'm certain
there's something out there that will get you engaged. For
creative ideas on ways to pursue your passions, download the
Retirement Re-Tool Kit Ebook from our Web site at:
http://www.RevolutionizeRetirement.com/revolutionize.htm
The new retirement is about personal growth. It's a chance to
mend fences, heal old wounds, and really get to know you. Since
you have more time, take up journaling. Indulge in the luxury of
going deepand understanding your life, your relationships, and
your lifetime motivations. Keep a "Gratitude Book" and write
down the things you're thankful for -- the large and the small.
Dr. George E. Vaillant, author of Aging Well, a book that
chronicles three studies of 824 people followed from their teens
into their 80s, found that a capacity for gratitude is a major
factor in successful aging. Practicing an attitude of gratitude
can be done any time of day, but try it just before you go to
sleep each night. Review the day and notice all the things
you're thankful for from the rose bush that finally has a bloom
to your third grandchild -- a girl at last.
Grow your mind, too. Learn new things by taking classes at your
local community college or travel with Elder Hostel to study the
Impressionist painters in France. In the "old" retirement you'd
hang out with the same friends -- the threesome on the golf
course or the regular Monday night bridge game with the couple
you've known for 30 years. You'd design your life around the
same activities day in and day out. Studies have actually proven
that getting stuck in deadening routines can be dangerous to your
health. Instead, meet new people. Do something novel you
couldn't imagine doing even a few years ago.
Marcia had lived a very diverse life. An actress and a trained
chef, she had played off Broadway and been a pastry chef on a
Caribbean yacht. Her life's dream was to own a country inn, and
she found the perfect place on the rugged Oregon coast when she
was in her mid-fifties. But after 10 years of working 24x7 to
meet the public's demands, she was ready to retire.
She started a small catering business, but that was more of the
same. She craved a whole new world. So she said "yes"
enthusiastically when a friend suggested she work a few days in
a day-care center. Being with the young children nurtures her
creative side on a regular basis, and getting to know the parents
has enriched her life and expanded her universe. She falls into
bed exhausted at the end of her days with the kids, but she's
inspired and gratified, too.
Bottom line: "Cast off society's belief about aging and
retirement. Retirement can be the adventure of a lifetime. It
doesn't have to be a permanent rest stop." This is tip #2 from
"88 Tips for Planning a Healthy, Happy, Enriching Retirement
Life." To find out how you can get the other 87, visit:
http://www.RevolutionizeRetirement.com/tipsbooklet.htm.
Ask yourself whether your negative beliefs about retirement are
getting in the way of how you really want to live the "third
half" of your life. What one belief about retirement will you
change today?
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