This is part of a quote I read and, although she was applying it to people in their 20's, I thought that this part applied to all ages and particularly my midlife stage. It reinforces the idea that living in the moment is so important.
Midlife is my time - time for me to refocus on what is important to me now and to let go of all the distractions and needless worries about past and future. There is a lot to be said about moving on from the past and leaving it behind - learn from it for sure, but then kick it out the door and get on with the life that I'm part of now.
It's the same with the future - why agonize over what is yet to come? I achieve nothing by trying to line all my ducks up so that everything is neatly in place for my planned future years. Life is unpredictable - and as much as I'd like to control the future, I can't make it all turn out neatly and tidily like I have in my head. I like the idea of earning your future by what you invest in your present. The love and commitment I have for my family is worth investing in, so are the friends that have been in my life for decades of ups and downs.
Why sweat over a retirement plan when that is still 20 years in the future? Rather than working in a job I don't really like anymore and saving every penny to try to prepare for retirement, maybe I could fritter a little bit of time or money away here and there to make life pleasant and fun now? Who knows where I'll be in 20 years time and whether I'll still be around to live frugally on those savings? It's important to prepare, but it is also important to enjoy this time too and invest in some serious living that will make retirement something that creeps up unexpectedly, rather than hovering over my head now.
"Give today all the love and intensity and courage that you can" and "walk closely with people you love".........what a fabulous way to spend the next decade or so! I want to hang out with people I love, I want to be brave enough to embrace new experiences and I want to savour the moment - not fritter time away being too careful and too staid. I'm not very good at "grand adventures" but I'd like to be, and now is as good a time as any to get started. All I have to figure out is where to jump in and start my "now time". I'm sure an opportunity will pop up before I know it - then I just have to have that courage to grab on and enjoy the ride.
Such good points Leanne. My father's best friend finally retired a year ago - and died of a heart attack one month later. It really made me think about living in the moment and not worrying too much about the future. Hard for me to do, but I'm working on it!
ReplyDeleteMe too Lana - I don't want to waste the next 15 years worrying about retirement or whatever - it's time for me to invest in the "now" I think :)
DeleteI am so sorry, Lana. I struggle with this exact question frequently. We have not done a good job of planning for retirement. I *did* leave my job last May which certainly didn't help with retirement planning but DID help with giving me a happier heart and the ability to more accurately work toward my life purpose. I hope to heck that's worth something -- I still fear having to live on cat food when I'm 86. Just keeping it real. :-)
DeleteMaybe we'll all be chowing down on catfood in our 80's - lucky it comes in a variety of flavours! You did give me a smile Paula :)
DeleteA great vacation sounds like a good way to start! You've worked such a very long time!
ReplyDeleteHi Rena - I might not be travelling too far with no salary but I will certainly be looking for a lovely rest and a chance for some "me time" I've put it off for too long!
DeleteNone of us have crystal balls to look into the future so right now is very important. I hope you go for it and grab on soon, very soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks Haralee - that's the plan (I just needed a bit of time to get up my courage) and I'm going to seize my moment sooner rather than later!
DeleteNot being present in the moment is almost an addiction of modern life. We are always worrying, rushing, going from one place to another, struggling to keep up with everyone's expectations; and trying to be happy in spite of all this madness.
ReplyDeleteLoved the way you end your post: "Enjoy the ride". Let's do it!
Hi Debbie - I have to keep making a conscious decision to be in "the now" my brain is always racing ahead - really looking forward to slowing things down a bit mentally and speeding them up a bit physically in the near future.
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