Retirement and the Pandemic

The mayhem caused by COVID-19 has not just disrupted the working lives of millennials, but also older professionals. While the youth struggle to find a job, care for families and pay their loans in an economy that’s sliding into recession, older professionals have the added burden of health expenses and convincing potential employers that they still have a lot to offer.

Employers, too, are tightening their purse strings and want younger people who will work long hours for less pay.

Though there are no clear estimates of how many people close to retirement age have been fired due to COVID-related downsizing, it is clear that those approaching retirement and women have been hit the hardest.

There are jobs, but employers want young people who are ready to work for less salary. What employers don’t realize is that seniors bring something unique to the table: Experience, a helpful attitude and knowledge acquired from years of work. Women bring to the table: knowledge, a willingness to look at the world differently, a unique perspective and empathy.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought along a paradigm shift in how we think of socializing, forcing us to revise how we go about our lives. You would think that those of us who are a bit older are inclined to heed the warnings of social distancing while those of a younger age think that the virus will not hurt them as much.

Yet at least one survey shows that my generation (Boomers), one of the demographics that is most at risk of COVID-19, are most resistant to changing their habits. According to a survey from the consumer insights company STAANCE that polled more than 2,000 Americans, baby boomers were least likely to worry about contracting the virus, with 43 percent saying they were concerned about it as opposed to 53 percent of millennial's and 54 percent of Gen X members. (They did not survey people born before 1945.) Only 19 percent of boomers reported having cancelled a flight because of coronavirus, as opposed to 31 percent of millennial's and 28 percent of Gen X’ers.

How we behave during the pandemic can put ourselves and our loved ones at risk. It is a good idea to continue to social distance and keep other COVID protocols in place until we have better protection for all.

You were pre-qualified

It's not really a matter of feeling worthy of love, friends, health, or wealth. Or of appreciating what you already have. Or even of learning to love yourself. These don't have to come first. You don't have to wear a halo to manifest the changes you want. 

It's simply a matter of understanding that if you do your part: visualize, prepare the way, and act "as if," without looking over your shoulder for quick results, what you want must be added unto you… as will the feelings of worthiness, appreciation and loving your most lovable self. 

Opportunity

I hate those who say, opportunity only knows once. Opportunity never stops knocking, but there are those that only hear it once. Keep your ears open, and listen for the next knock of opportunity. The new opportunity may come in the form of new friends who are on their way. It may be that the ideas you need will find you. Opportunity may give you another chance. Life around you may start to feel brighter. Give opportunity a chance, you will start feeling lighter and brighter

Love is rising. Be still. Prepare. Others will call you lucky. Your loved ones are so proud. You know they ain't seen nothing yet. Just because you learned the secret, opportunity keeps knocking and you keep listening.

Look out world a giant is stirring. A giant is waking up. 

Like a country song, 

Think good thoughts

When you think a new thought, entertain a new dream, or mentally choose a new goal, your thoughts "leave" you and go out — in every direction — to the farthest corners of the planet. They carry a life force all their own, like ripples created when a pebble is tossed into a pond.

You can't change this, but you can totally use the heck out of it. 

Think good thoughts,