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I don't want to trigger anyone, by talking about old age and planning for it.
I don't know exactly why I am seeing this now, perhaps it is the time in my life, perhaps it is part of
my good health?
I am starting to see the need to make a plan for myself and my future, in work, and in future dotage as well as general experiences of life, relationships too.
I feel well enough to face it 'head on' and yet I wanted to write about it here -
I will bring it up with my therapist later today. I want to start living life,
more to the fullest, but also I want to have a functioning plan for my life
and I need to create and implement that. I know we all do to a certain extent. I don't
want to take on the futility attitude or denialism, that I don't need to think about it.
I also find that considering my formerly passive approach to life has also made me think
on the idea of 'what is right?' - 'what is truth?' 'am I deluded? ......'how am I in the context of all the others?'
Each of us is out there occupying space, living their truth
and engaging in their interpretation of life - my question is if 'my effort going to have to
be 'all just good enough?' - there are no guarentees but we can just
kind of try to move and plan in the right direction and then hopefully also
be open for the joys and cherished experiences of life along the way....?
I can see others in my 'in person' life definitely
choosing and sharing that kind of solution to the ambivalent nature of 'it all.'
In a sense everyone chooses their brand, their structure, their spirituality and everyone hopefully accepts themselves,
though that's a lifetime struggle as well.. so truly it is an ardent hope for peace
and healing .. Life choices in the face of our histories and limits
are there, and no judgement - just love and prayers -
and to just appreciate my friends and loved ones is a marvelous. Life is hard better
to choose cheering each other on!
I'll try and keep proactive about my goals and to focus some of that appreciation
on myself and all my friends here. I can see this journal is so about my own need
for specificity and answers - but so it goes. :) I can dig it. lol
Sending peace and good vibes,
Mark
Replies
is it lucky for you that talking about age is not a trigger for this almost 69 year old? the further i get from my childhood, the happier i am. don't youthenize me. i'm okay with being unattractive to the sexual predators and their descendants that tore my childhood to shreds.
i started planning for my retirement in my 20's. i missed the retirement seminars on second parenting careers, but the financial consistency of retirement planning has served me well through all the phases of my adult life. they've certainly served me better than the esoteric ponderings of truth and the meaning of life.
I have to tell you Arfie, I also started planning my retirement in my 20s. Then I had paid off my condo and car and had sizable investments. I was so hyper focused, who me?, that I didn’t spend money on anything that wouldn’t appreciate in value. I was on a good path and then my life blew up! So after and during my psychotic break I quit my good job At Disney and moved with a friend away from LA. I was away for 4 years and lost everything.
I needed to heal and after years of essential convalescence I am now starting to see the path of planning again. Live for the moment too but prepare. I can hear mid say ‘all things in balance.’ Here’s hoping.
those kinds of disruptions are a normal part of retirement planning, there's much truth in the adage, "if you want to hear god laugh, tell him your plans." the future is unknowable. still. those self-same habits that allow for planning also contribute to the integrity which helps you get back in the saddle again. it's the integrity which keeps it all running smooth.
one of my favorite financial planning presenters was adamant about ALWAYS keeping fun in the budget, even if it's only a picnic in the park. it helps keep that balance. mid is always preaching.
**************clink************
here's hoping.