Who would have ever thought anyone would be thankful to be retired? I certainly didn’t think I would enjoy it. Over the years I have seen so many older folks retire and then sit around waiting to die. Well, maybe they didn’t think they were waiting, but they were. They showed no interest in anything new. So, they sat and waited.
But, I am thankful to be retired. And, there is no waiting going on around here. In fact, some days I feel as if I am racing against the clock. There is so much to do that I sometimes fear I won’t get everything I want to do done.
Now, I figure I have about a good 10,000 days left. When you look at it by the day it really seems short. Of course, I may have less and hopefully I may have more. But, I’m not writing this to be morbid. I’m writing to give the younger people a heads up on life.
Don’t wait until you are waiting. Live life today… and live it fully. Don’t put off doing some of the things you think you want to do until you retire. Take some time now to live.
Anyway, with about 10,000 good days ahead… if all goes well… I decided that I have to do something of value everyday. So, I bought 10,000 pieces of paper. And, I am making notes on each piece of paper of something I want to do. Maybe I mentioned this earlier. That’s one of the things about getting older. Sometimes you repeat yourself. Even if I am repeating myself in this blog, I don’t want to wake up one morning and repeat something I have already done or accomplished.
So, each morning I wake up and while I am writing in my personal gratitude journal I add a few things I want to do in this lifetime. Who really knows where the big transition will take us? I figure I better cram as much into this life as possible… just in case.
Each day I write a few more ideas. Then I look over the ones I have already written and pick from the pile the one new thing I will do today. Sometimes it is a big thing. Sometimes it is just something small. But each of the things on my papers means something to me.
I guess I’m really proud of my kids. They have such busy lives. Both work hard but each takes the time to do something special each weekend. I’m sure they take work home with them… at least, mentally… from time to time. But, that doesn’t seem to hold them back. They get out and enjoy life. I mean they really are living life.
Some people have told me… especially when I was much younger… that I should be taking less risks. That was mostly when I decided to take up skydiving. But, you know. I love skydiving. I am so happy that I decided to give it a try when I was in my twenties. As it turns out I have been enjoying those little jumps now for 35 years.
My kids love scuba diving. I’ve never been much for that myself. But, both boys seem to take little trips to enjoy a scuba diving adventure from time to time. And, the younger one must have adopted my love of travel. He has driven almost every major road back and forth across the country and now proudly says he has driven in every state in the union… except Alaska.
Anyway, whether it is a big thing or a little thing that you have been thinking about. Do it now. Don’t wait until you are too old or too tired… and for heaven’s sake don’t wait until you are just waiting. When you get to that point in life, it seems that you have given up on life.
In closing I will tell you what my father always told me.
Dance like no one is watching.
Sing like no one is listening.
Love like you’ve never been hurt.
Live like there is no tomorrow.
Yep, I am thankful I am retired… and still living… not just waiting.
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