Would You Have Lunch with a Python?

We have visions about the adventures we’re going to have in our retirement life. There are place to go, people to meet and things to do.

When the day actually arises, it’s easy to let fears and phobias take over, so the challenges and opportunities begin to diminish. There’s always the fear about money. And then there are the concerns about our health – you know we’re not young anymore. It becomes very easy for the walls of options to close around us.

One of my favorite quotes is from author Barbara Sher in It’s Only Too Late if You Don’t Start Now, “Why is it when midlifers talk of fulfilling their lifelong dreams before they’re too old to do them, they’re never talking about dreams like publishing a book or singing at the Met?”

Now is the time to dust off some of those old dreams you’ve shelved because you needed to earn a living and raise a family. What are the adventures you want to have? The biggest obstacle you have is you.

If you’ve started the list of the things you’d love to do, but… I’d like to introduce you to Warren Stortroen. A mild mannered insurance man for his professional career, he has now reached notoriety for having gone on 57 Earthwatch expeditions since retiring twelve years ago.

Once you read about Warren, you’ll want to get out there and do something outside of your comfort zone.

Do You Resist Your Retirement Life Dreams?

Retirement life is a time to explore new options, have new experiences, take on challenges and yet so many people get stuck. Why?

A client left a message on my phone this week. She had taken my retirement workshop and had become interested in finding a meaningful part time job. She had not completed her homework assignment and concluded the phone message with, “Perhaps I don’t really want to do this?”

Maybe.

A few weeks ago, I met with my business partner for Retirement Life Matters. I ranted and railed about how I didn’t have enough time, especially to work on completing the Retirement Life Success Kit. In his irritatingly calm voice, he replied, “Do what you have to do, Cathy.”

So I set aside time- one hour a day- to work on the book, yet still I struggle. When I sit down to begin each of these daily sessions, my mind goes blank. I feel overwhelmed and out of sorts.

What is the problem with my client, with myself?

People work their whole lives to reach retirement. “Now is the time I finally get to do what I want to do,” they declare. Sure, people might take a few trips. But do they push the boundaries and dream grand dreams? Or do they feel stuck?

Why do we struggle to do the things we love? Why do we, at times, resist doing the things we’re passionate about?

Several years ago, I read an essay about resistance, written by Tama Kieves. I pulled it out yesterday, read it, made a copy of it and put it next to my computer monitor. If you struggle with resistance at doing what you love, take a look at The Only Road to Everything You Want

Retirement Health: You ARE What you Eat

A key component of a happy retirement life is being healthy. Obviously, anyone can be hit with an ailment at anytime. With that said, research is more conclusive that we have control over our retirement health.

There was a fascinating story on ABC Nightly News last night. A reporter and producer saw the immediate effects of consuming a five thousand calorie meal full of saturated fat. While most seniors don’t consume a vast amount of food at one sitting, the piece clearly demonstrated the toll the body takes from poor eating.

As quickly as you can hurt your body, you can equally improve it. There are Four simple Changes That Can Save Your Life. Unfortunately, many people don’t do them.

Whether you like it or not, a key to a healthy retirement life is a commitment to Lifetime Fitness.

I smoked for almost thirty years. While I can’t ever remove all the damage smoking did, a conscious attempt at eating well and get exercise is helping me live a longer and happier life. It can work for you also.

Am I Crazy to Retire Now?

Recently, a friend voiced the concern of many. “Am I crazy to think about retiring now?”

With the current economic upheaval, it’s been well documented many baby boomers are going to change their retirement plans.

I’m going to suggest the recession provides an opportunity to reinvent the retirement of the future.

Ken Dychtwald, author of Age Power aptly stated, "Today's retirees are social guinea pigs. We are shifting away from the model of learning for 20 years, working like a mad dog for 40, and goofing around for 20. What is evolving is some new blend between learning, working and leisure."

Retirement in the future will consist of more people working. But, it doesn’t have to be drudgery. Retirement in the 21st Century provides an opportunity to push back boundaries, explore new options and yes, find new ways of earning income.

In a recent interview, when asked why he doesn’t hang it all up because he had earned the right, Norman Lear replied, “Yes, I’ve earned the right to do what I want to do. What I want to do is wake up every morning to do something that I think matters.”

What have you earned the right to do?

Retirement or College for the Kids

Recently, I read a lot about how parents are having to choose between retirement and sending their children to college. Or, saying they’re not going to get to college at all because of a lack of funds. I’m here to say, “Hogwash!”

This is a ‘back in my day story,’ but I think it is worth telling.

I completed my first year of college at a local community college before I made some stupid and life altering decisions. Over the next three years, I got married, pregnant and divorced, so by the time I was twenty-two I was a single parent. It was a difficult time in my life, but the one good thing that came out of it, besides my daughter, was the decision to complete my education. It took another six years to get my bachelor degree. I paid for it all myself, worked went to school and raised my daughter. I will admit, I lived with my parents for a few years and they help tremendously by taking care of her.

As I look back over my life, I regret not having the college experience of living in a dorm on a college campus, or of going to football games. If you want the college experience, it’s going to cost you. And yes, I know, the cost of college has gone up. But, if you want an education, you can get a college degree. It may take you longer. That’s a decision, I have never regretted.