As you age, constant change takes place, subtle at first. It soon becomes a routine to notice the incapacitating failure of body parts of which you had omitted to learn the function.
Your doctor tells you that if the pain isn’t constant in any particular place then it’s probably not serious and comforts you by mentioning that it is to be expected at <your age>. Then, to top it off, final words are <but you’re in great shape for your age>!
When replacing one of the said body parts, one may tell you that the warranty is for 10 years, after which you probably won’t have that much use for it anyway, since you’ll be less active by then! Right! In your mind that means you’re probably going to be dead! And that’s just the physical part of it!
On the job, people often ask you when you’ll retire even if you still outperform most in more than one way! Comments like <There is more to life than work, you know> or <There is so much you can enjoy out there. You should think of it while you still can>. And if you’re retired, neighbors, friends and sometimes relatives look at your belongings, already planning what you should do with it all when you can’t take care of it anymore!
Yup! It’s a tough time!
All the respect learned through years of loyal performance, trustworthiness, dependability, all the knowledge acquired through experience, training, education seem to face the future with vulnerability.
Sometimes it all is so frail that it can feel like if it will vanish over night because, from the moment that society decides that it is over, it seems over! Did I just say seem?
I sure did!
Can it be fought? For sure! Just maintain your sanity through it and don’t take on the fight unless it’s worthwhile to you.
To illustrate my point, I’ll describe a few alternative reactions that seem to reenergize the pursuer of such an endeavor.
An elderly gentleman retired, sold his house and travels the world, having completely forsaken any link to his previous life and entourage. Rather radical but it works for him!
Another man, in his early 70’s, keeps summer activities he likes in his country of origin for a part of the year and travels in the winter months, visiting relatives in other parts of the world. He keeps time to explore a little part of the planet each year.
A lady, in her sixties, continues to work full time, adding projects of interest, studies and sports on the side and prides herself in being a happy workaholic!
A couple remains at home, cooking and entertaining grand-children, content that they both can gaze out at a beautiful scenery while enjoying a night cap in their solarium and having a nice chat every night!
Everyone to his own!
All these wonderful people self-assess regularly, adding the suitable and eliminating the unsuitable as they go.
I’d suggest reassessing every three months or whenever you feel unease. This will help you get the most out of life. You can then plan to make those next three months the best ever. Your quality of life will increase noticeably and you’ll be in a position to tell those who tend to rain on your parade that you make the most of everything all the time!
That’s more than most can say!
Happy Trails!
Elizabeth McNally
Mentor & Licensed Certified EI Coach
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Just Sharing Complete Collection 2010
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