Reaching 65
In less than three weeks I will reach the retirement age of 65. Lately, I have been nearly obsessed with that fact. What does it mean? I never wanted to be here. Sixty-five was for much older Jimmy to have to deal with. I was supposed to remain the “Excess” nick-named character from high school, who completed the military, graduated from university and was supposed to never change.
I fully expected, AND, I thought I had a plan to retire; meaning that I had more money coming in than going out, and I no longer had to exert myself to keep it going. That was my goal. Life is what happens to you, while making other plans, pertains to my life, thus far. One conclusion that I have come to, over the last myriad, nightmarish, doldrum of melancholy thoughts, is that I must change my thinking.
I am happy to state that, as has always been, my glass is more than half full. Not that I am a naturally optimistic person. I have coddled melancholy to the point of depression on many an occasion. It is just that I now seem to feel like I no longer have the luxury of sitting on the fence when it comes to planning the rest of my life, starting from here.
What are the questions that people ask as they are getting closer to retirement age?
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- Are my affairs in order, have I sufficiently protected my assets for the maximum benefit of those close to me?
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- How healthy am I and how long do I expect to be mobile to enjoy other than a sedentary life?
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- What are some of the regrets thus far, and what can I do over the next 30+ years to make amends, correct, lay-to-rest, replace with joyous events?
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- Is there some blueprint for what’s left of my life.
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- Have I started, or finished my “bucket list”?
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- Have I answered, lately, what’s really the most important thing in my life?
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- What can I do to avoid being some cranky, solitary, old man that people feel sorry for and don’t want to be around?
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- What can I do to pass on what I have learned to family and the world?