Despite the notion that
older people are over the hill, it is becoming increasingly clear that the
second half of life can be more rewarding, stimulating, and enjoyable than the
first half.
People are living longer than ever. You can forget the “rocking chair” notion and
appreciate that you still have places to go and things to do. Retirement finally gives you the time to sit
back and take stock of your life. The hard part is fighting the negative
stereotypes that still plaque older adults in our youth orientated society.
People who have recently retired or are about
to retire are the ones who need to spear-head this change in attitude. This
means that your work isn’t over. How you
think and feel about growing older will determine how you approach this task. Retirement
is no different than embarking on any other venture. You need to plan ways to remain socially
engaged and figure out how you will spend your time. There are a number of good
books on retirement and aging. One of my
favorites is The “Mature Mind,” by Gene D. Cohen, M.D, PhD. The author puts a
positive spin on aging despite the fact that aging brings its own special
challenges. He explores how the brain
can get better with age. Now that is a comforting thought don’t you think?
Some people need to plan
every detail of their lives while others thrive on an opened ended or looser
path. Your life isn’t over because you
retire. The lifestyle of those who no
longer work full time can be richer, more active, and more engaged than ever
because you now have time to develop your own style. More and more people are realizing that this
time of life is full of potential. You can still work on improving your life,
expanding your skills and fulfilling your dreams.
Science and culture have focused almost exclusively
on the negative aspects of aging and have ignored the positive. It is
our job to spread the word and change this attitude. Don’t settle for less!
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