Since the day I was born the life expectancy of humans has increased year by year so that at this point in time the average person will live well into their 80’s and 90’s and even beyond. In fact, the baby boomer generation, all 78 million of them - will live another 30 years past conventional retirement age For those hitting midlife now, well, who knows how long they will live. Think about it - thirty or more years, after retirement! But what is the media, the culture, books, movies and television telling you about this time of life? It tells us to:
Hang on to where you're at until you're sixty-five, save your money and then retire. Live in a segregated community of senior citizens, go on a perpetual vacation, if you can afford it, or go be a greeter at Walmart or do volunteer work for your church or some do good non profit, buy long term disability insurance and get out of the way of the younger folks – those in their first act - they have work to do – you are no longer in the game.
Well, this is ridiculous!!! Starting at midlife we need to start planning for those extra 30 or 40 years and going on a perpetual vacation is not it! The human psyche thrives on challenge and productive work, not play and recreation - these are your reward for the work you've done and also a way to rejuvenate yourself for more work. Therefore, regardless of what those with a vested interest in selling you this idea, have to say, going on a perpetual vacation is not what your heart and soul really want or need. What we need, what we want, just like those in their first act, is to get up every morning and do some useful work. People feel good about themselves, are healthier and more satisfied with their lives, when they are doing something on a daily basis that contributes to the greater good in some way. This can be paid or unpaid – but it has to be work and the most satisfying work uses your gifts, talents and skills in the highest and most productive way possible.
Because I am passionate about this idea I have written a book – Second Act Soul Calls – A Guide for the Re-Imagination of Your Life at Midlife and Beyond with Passion, Purpose and Possibilities, Outskirts Press – available on Amazon this Spring. In my book I talk about what it will take for you to listen for and answer the call of your soul in your second act. I have also created this blog and will write on this theme on a regular basis - sometimes weekly, sometimes bi-weekly weekly and sometimes monthly - it all depends on my schedule and of ocurse when something hits me as needing said on this theme.
I will write on the challenges, the potentials and the pitfalls of this time of life. In addition, I will interview and feature people who have created a successful second act and will review books and articles with this theme or the theme of remaining vibrant, engaged and excited about life in your second act.
I would love your feedback so please leave a comment here or follow me on Twitter and here on this blog. I’m excited about this work and this time of life and I hope you are as well.
Blessings, Lorraine
My husband, 76 and I, 61, have just purchased a house in Texas and will be leaving our home of the last 19 years. It is the home in which he was born and built by his grandparents. We are excited and scared. I jumped into retirement 4 years ago with both feet. I joined clubs and volunteered at the church and as a Guardian ad Litem. I did all of that because the first month of retirement I slept until 11 and watched hours of television. I scared myself! My husband had been retired much longer and also was involved in multiple organizations as well as served as an elected official. Now we are tired. We want to regroup and, as you say, re-invent ourselves and are taking this time to do it. However, I am looking forward to doing it at a slower, more deliberate pace than I did the first time. I am interested in hearing what you have to say and will watch for your book as well as your next blog. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Terri, It's good to hear from you. One of the points I make in my book, and really the main theme is to listen for and act on what your soul is calling you to do. I believe that each individual has a particular call - a thing that their soul is designed to do. The problem with volunteering at various things and taking classes and being active, is that these are things desined by others and may make you feel like a good citizen or if you are a religeous person, then someone who is doing his or her duty where these things are concerned. There is nothing wrong with this but it does not meet your soul's need to express itself unless the particular thing you are doing is part of your soul's call. These opportunities are like going shopping for your call rahter than sitting quietly with yourself and getting in touch with your deep self and asking the sacred questions. Why am I here, what are my gifts and talents, what can I offer the world, how can I be of service to the greater good by using my unique talents and gifts and by doing work that meets these needs and not simply by doing some do good work that has no real meaning to you.
ReplyDeleteIt's also important to do this work, this calling in your own time and on your own schedule - I totally agree that at this time of life many of us do want to slow down and do things at a more relaxed pace, not on someone else's schedule or to meet someone else's idea of what we are good for. Of course,this does not mean totally sitting on our hiney all day, as you said, watching television.
I believe that meaningful work, done because your soul calls you to do it is the key to this time of life being filled with passion, possiblities and purpose.
So what floats your boat? What fills you with wonder and excitment? What touches you and gives you that special feeling in your heart? What have you always secretly longed to do but were not sure you had the talent, the skill or the gumption to do it?
Think about these questions and keep me posted on your journey.
By the way, fear is a great motivator - so a little fear is a good thing. Let it guide you in what to do next, but don't allow it to stop you in this new and exciting time of life.
I wish you blessings and renewed passion!
Lorraine