CREATIVE REFIREMENT-RETIREMENT

As we Sage our abilities and needs start to change. Today’s boomers and beyond, those over fifty begin to seek ways to continue life-long learning, provide leadership, mentorship, community and service. Sages want to continue their enthusiasm for life. They know that the challenges that lie ahead are best faced with well honed or newly developed skills and interests. As we add years, good relationships and attention to one’s health are vital components. Lately, I’ve been wondering if staying in my home town will be the best alternative for me in the long run. My family is scattered, so being near one member means leaving another. The idea of moving upsizing, downsizing, having more than one home, keeping or changing my immediate community are all challenging decisions. I anticipate that they will be made in fits and starts and with a lot of help from my family, friends and colleagues. I often ask myself; “What are the most import components in my life and how can I best keep them?” How can I plan ahead for possible health issues? What are my options? How do my economics impact my decisions? I find these questions exciting and anxiety producing. As a professional who deals with people trying to make these choices every day, I would have liked to believe that I would have an easy path to what lies ahead. As with the shoemaker who rarely makes his or her own shoes, although I am considered by many to be a Sage in this arena, I too will need the help of others as I wend my way on this aspect of my life long journey. I share this with those FiftyandFurthermore to remind you that for me, as it is for you, it is essential to reach out. Truly, life is too hard to do alone.