Take Some Risks

There is a classic image of a retired senior driving with their turn signals continuously on and poking along 20 miles under the speed limit on the highway. A popular comedian once quipped that if he was 80 years old, he would “drive like hell” since, after all, why not take some risks at 80?

It’s true that as we move into our senior years, that some of us become a bit cautious in how we conduct our affairs. Now, if we have health difficulties that a fall or a serious illness could prove life-threatening, those precautions are called for. In defiance of that comedian’s remarks, our lives are precious and just because we are closer to the final years of our lives doesn’t mean we want to see our lives end too soon and miss out of a minute of this time on earth and time with our children and grandchildren.

But one aspect of that joke has some food for thought as we think about our lifestyle as retired. There may be some good reasons to get out there and take some risks in life and to enjoy the thrill that a little danger can bring. Recently there was a story about an 88-year-old woman who went skydiving as well as an 89-year-old-male Holocaust survivor who did the same. “If you are afraid you are only living half a life” was the response of the woman when she was asked why she did it. She was systematically working on her bucket list and getting out there and doing something fun and had been a dream of hers for years. Both of these people showed now is the time to live out dreams.

Some risks, like skydiving, can be done with the guidance of skilled professionals to help reduce the actual dangers. But the illustration of what these two people did emphasizes the idea that now is the time to “go for it” and take some risks in your retirement years. For one thing, it’s a tremendous inspiration to younger people when they see their elders exhibiting courage and a willingness to get out of their comfort zone. Many times, your own children may be the ones who need that kind of inspiration that they too should live life courageously and not let fear stop them from enjoying every moment.

Another great reason to take a risk is that it may be a great way to bond with family. Not long ago, I had the chance to go white water rafting with my brothers. Now I am not an adventurer but I am in good physical shape so I can accomplish some things athletic. But this was a moment where I could establish a greater bond with my brothers by going on a great adventure with them and coming out of it with great stories. Because I am writing it shows that I made it. There was a few heart-stopping moments but I wouldn’t trade those moments for the world. You too may be presented with a chance to make a memory with a loved one by taking a risk. It’s worth going for it, in a reasonable fashion, to capture that memory and build that bond as wel.

Some risks you might take don’t involve physical danger. Maybe you need to finally take the plunge and get up at the local open mic night and sing those songs you have been polishing up with the family. They say there is nothing more terrifying as facing a crowd. But when you hear their applause, that will be a dream come true for the amateur singer in you.

So, consider taking a few risks as you plan your activities in your busy retirement schedule. The rush of adrenaline will put some spring in your step and give your heart rate a workout. But it will also add some fun and adventure to your life. And that is something we all can use.

Think retirement is about taking it easy...Think again

For most of us, we hope that when we retire, we will find the time to relax, but that is really not true. My friends and I are very busy in our retirement and finding time to relax is still a problem. This may surprise many of you who are looking forward to your time to relax as you plan to or think about retirement. Let me explain, we are now busy doing things that we love, which may be pursuing our hobbies, travelling, volunteering or working (part-time) but not many of are just relaxing and letting life go by. 

For some of us, retirement isn’t just a time to lay the goals of life down it is a time to look back over life at our unfinished challenges and then go back and finish them.  I have two degrees and am proud of the work, time and energy I used to complete them. Many of my friends do not have a degree and they have an unfinished goal to go back and get that degree. 

When I taught at the University of Phoenix, I was not surprised to see young and senior adults, taking courses to finish their bachelor’s degree or start and finish a masters or Ph.D. Working with those students and helping them achieve their goals was a highlight of my career. I understand how big a challenge it is to go back to the classroom and get that certificate, especially when you do it after you have retired.

So why do it?  This may be a question your friends ask when they see you going after such an ambitious goal so late in life.  But when you think about it, you may be a bit offended by the question.  Implicit in this ageist question is the implication of, “What is the point of you getting a degree since you are not going to do anything productive in retirement and you are so close to death?”

Many of my friends started entirely new careers after they retired.  With the advances in medical science today, it is a given that most people live 20-30 years or more “in retirement”.  That is plenty of time to accomplish great things.  So, starting out this era of life with a good education makes just as much sense as it did when you left school and started out on your first career. 

This is not to say that going back to school is going to be easy.  If finishing your high school degree is the goal, and going back to school is not an option, then taking a High School Equivalency program may be the answer. Every country has this type of program it may be called a GED or an ABD or an HSED or HED so you may have to do an online search to see what is available where you live.

The social situation you may face in a college classroom or school may be a challenge.  You will have to get used to being in the classroom and listening to lectures, reading textbooks, taking notes, doing papers and taking exams all over again.  If you go after an advanced degree and take several classes, you will be a very busy senior citizen just keeping up with your studies. Most colleges or universities that offer programs to adults understand that these adults may not have the skills needed so they may offer courses on how to learn.

But there are some joys you can expect from going after an advanced degree.  If you decide to take day courses, instead of online or evening courses, college life and being on a college campus each day is by itself a very stimulating environment.  Being with young people each day can be energizing and you may find yourself looking and acting as much like the youth you “hang out with” as you do your fellow senior citizens.

When I watched students at the University of Phoenix cross the stage, I could see the pride of accomplishment on their faces. Talking to them and their family at the reception after the ceremony, I could see the pride and joy that radiated throughout the room and it was uplifting.

If you are finishing your high school or bachelor’s degree, congratulations, it takes hard work and sacrifice to achieve that goal. However, don’t be surprised if you fall in love with academic life.  As an educator for over 43 years, I believe that learning is tremendously addictive and you may wish to go on for yet more studies in fields of learning that have always fascinated you. 

If you want to study for the pure joy of learning, there are free or lost cost alternatives for you, However, nobody will turn away your tuition dollars if you just want to be in college for the pure joy of learning.  And you will be an inspiration to your family and your grandchildren as well as students when they see you succeed and they tell themselves, “If Granny/Grandpa can do it, so can I.”

Time to become creative

How many times when you were moving through the decades of raising a family and building a career did you say that you were going to write the greatest novel when you retired?  Now that you are retired and the time do you wonder if you could do it? Many of us, promised ourselves we would uncork all of that creativity we have been keeping pent up all these years and let it spill out onto the world.  So why not give it a try?  Nobody ever got hurt trying for greatness. Some of us may write, some of us may learn to play an instrument, some will paint, others will learn to sing, but all of us should try to uncork our creativity. If not now, when?

So, what if you don’t achieve “greatness”, this is a wonderful time to explore your creative side.  It might not be “the great novel”.  That phrase really is a way of expressing the fact that I believe we all have something creative and unique to give and this is our time to let them out.

The idea that writing, or painting, or acting or any of the creative arts are the venue only for the young has been proven wrong time and time again.  It seems creativity and creative expression really knows no age limits.  In the last few years, we have had Haley Joel Osment, Harrison Ford and Clint Eastwood all vying for the Academy award.  That makes a 10-year-old, a man in his late middle ages and a senior citizen all being evaluated by the same criteria for greatness in acting.   

In fact, it is notable that a few years later when Clint Eastwood won the Oscar for directing, he remarked that much older directors than him were still making their masterpieces.  So, he was a youngster in his 70s just getting started striving for greatness.  These are just a few examples to show that if these senior citizens can shine in their creative work late in life, so can you. 

Some of us are afraid of being embarrassed, don’t be, also don’t be afraid to get out there take the introductory classes in the art form you want to try out.  You may have always dreamed of painting.  Did you know that Picasso and Rembrandt did some of their finest paintings when they were older?  There are thousands of online courses for seniors, many are free or low cost,  in every discipline so if you are nervous about being the Grandpa or Grandma of the class find a class you’re your peers where you will get the respect you as a fellow artist and peer in the artistic community and no one will wonder or comment on your age.

This is not to say that writing or other forms of creative expression are not going to take work to master.  But in that department, you also have the inside track, you are no stranger to hard work.  You worked hard to raise a family, succeed in a career and provide for others all of your adult life.  Now its time to use some of that work ethic to let your own light shine and for a little while, let it all be about you.

Have you ever wondered?

Have you ever thought about why dogs are so quick to wag their tails and cats are so quick to purr? Even the ones that have been lonely, abused, and betrayed? 

Because, as is true of all animals, they were instilled with the distant awareness that no matter what the world shows them, they're still deeply loved and needed, that their presence alone has made a difference, and that in just the shake of a leg, seemingly without reason or rhyme, everything can FANTASTICALLY change for the better. 

As is true of all people, except sometimes we tend to forget.