Change is in the air. I can feel it. I can sense it. The changes we experience are sometimes so subtle, and happen so quickly, that we don't even notice that we are starting a new chapter in our life. Some changes are on the horizon for a period of time and long before we acknowledge and act on them. They are looming over us like a blanket of white puffy clouds. They are real and they are coming!
How hard is it for you to change your life environment? Is change something you fear or do you love it?
I’ve been dealing with change a lot lately. Not just with small day to day changes, but with major life transformations and not all in the spiritual sense. As a metaphysics teacher I am always conscious of the delicate shifts in awareness. I see the alterations of my thoughts and therefore my mind-models. In general I love change. I see it as a new beginning, and evidence of growth, so to speak.
However, at one point in your life you wake up and realize that time didn’t stand still. Not only are you a mature person, but you are at a place in life where you need to think about retirement and all that goes with it. Of course each and every one of us has to define what this word ‘retirement’ means to us as an individual. Even partners in life need to define their visions and wants at this stage of their lives to be able to manage this transition in an amicable and enjoyable way. But, most importantly, life doesn’t end here. It only shifts into a better cycle of existence, -- or so we hope.
When fear creeps into our consciousness we have to make realistic choices. We have to find a way to defuse the doubts and the anxiety we suffer. Some people hire a life coach when the going gets tough who supports their changes and encourages them to follow their dreams. Some folks join a self-help group and learn to rearrange their life, getting rid of the things that no longer serve them and create a life that supports their hopes. However, even though I am a coach and mentor myself, I also have to deal with the upcoming changes, and believe me, I have my own uncertainties, hesitations, questions, and doubts. I know I can steer my life into the happy future my husband and I deserve, but I also know that major homework is required to make the transition as smooth as possible.
I am sure many people are counting down the days until they can retire, and I’m certain most of them are counting down the dollars. Yes, retirement is the distant goal of many a worker, but few people know exactly how much money they will need before they can finally punch out of work for the last time. But all have the want of a stable future in which they do not have to wake up early every morning and tread to work. Factors such as health and financial commitments have a great effect on the planning for this enormous life style change. For instance, you may need much less income to finance your day to day activities after retirement, but a move to a nursing home or an unexpected maintenance expense on your home could quickly drain your retirement stash and negate your years of careful planning. Of course we also hear in the news that a growing concern is the availability of Social Security
for distant retirees. I do not tune into the negativity displayed daily, but I observe what’s going on from a distance, without emotional involvement. That is my view point most of the time.
From the spiritual side we have to ask ourselves: Are we living by our core values? Do we find ourselves wanting to make changes in our life and set goals, but we can’t pinpoint exactly what changes to make or what goals to set? Do we want to replace bad habits with good ones? Do we like where we live, or do we want to move to another community that serves us better in later years? Many people make this major move and I sincerely hope that they
have done their diligent research.
I’d like to point out that our focus cannot be on monetary issues only, but must be on enjoyment and happiness. It will be a healthy and happy attitude that will enjoy the freedom associated with this newfound independence. It will be the question of “Have I achieved what I set out to do?” or the “Am I in the place I wanted to be in this stage of my life?” that will be important. If the answer is “yes” you are on the road to a satisfied new adventure.
Moving to a different state or town might bring the challenge of meeting new friends and encountering unknown neighbors. We will leave many of our trusted family and friends behind and see them on special occasions only. We will have to find fresh interests and hobbies, or establish new relationships which share the same joys. We might want to work part-time as sitting on the couch for the rest of our life isn’t an option, or maybe we want to finally explore our creativity as an artist of any kind? There are many questions to be answered. There is much soul-searching to be done, but be assured that the solutions are already within you and me, and every single soul who needs answers. We all know deep down in the deepest chambers of our hearts what we really love and what we want to do. Whatever it is, let’s do it! Because this new life change will be the best thing ever, especially because we are more mature and much wiser than when we started out in life. Let this knowledge and wisdom guide us. Let this change be the door to a more fulfilled life. As I always say: “It has to feel good. It has to be the right thing”, and “It has to be convenient.” And so it is!
How hard is it for you to change your life environment? Is change something you fear or do you love it?
I’ve been dealing with change a lot lately. Not just with small day to day changes, but with major life transformations and not all in the spiritual sense. As a metaphysics teacher I am always conscious of the delicate shifts in awareness. I see the alterations of my thoughts and therefore my mind-models. In general I love change. I see it as a new beginning, and evidence of growth, so to speak.
However, at one point in your life you wake up and realize that time didn’t stand still. Not only are you a mature person, but you are at a place in life where you need to think about retirement and all that goes with it. Of course each and every one of us has to define what this word ‘retirement’ means to us as an individual. Even partners in life need to define their visions and wants at this stage of their lives to be able to manage this transition in an amicable and enjoyable way. But, most importantly, life doesn’t end here. It only shifts into a better cycle of existence, -- or so we hope.
When fear creeps into our consciousness we have to make realistic choices. We have to find a way to defuse the doubts and the anxiety we suffer. Some people hire a life coach when the going gets tough who supports their changes and encourages them to follow their dreams. Some folks join a self-help group and learn to rearrange their life, getting rid of the things that no longer serve them and create a life that supports their hopes. However, even though I am a coach and mentor myself, I also have to deal with the upcoming changes, and believe me, I have my own uncertainties, hesitations, questions, and doubts. I know I can steer my life into the happy future my husband and I deserve, but I also know that major homework is required to make the transition as smooth as possible.
I am sure many people are counting down the days until they can retire, and I’m certain most of them are counting down the dollars. Yes, retirement is the distant goal of many a worker, but few people know exactly how much money they will need before they can finally punch out of work for the last time. But all have the want of a stable future in which they do not have to wake up early every morning and tread to work. Factors such as health and financial commitments have a great effect on the planning for this enormous life style change. For instance, you may need much less income to finance your day to day activities after retirement, but a move to a nursing home or an unexpected maintenance expense on your home could quickly drain your retirement stash and negate your years of careful planning. Of course we also hear in the news that a growing concern is the availability of Social Security
for distant retirees. I do not tune into the negativity displayed daily, but I observe what’s going on from a distance, without emotional involvement. That is my view point most of the time.
From the spiritual side we have to ask ourselves: Are we living by our core values? Do we find ourselves wanting to make changes in our life and set goals, but we can’t pinpoint exactly what changes to make or what goals to set? Do we want to replace bad habits with good ones? Do we like where we live, or do we want to move to another community that serves us better in later years? Many people make this major move and I sincerely hope that they
have done their diligent research.
I’d like to point out that our focus cannot be on monetary issues only, but must be on enjoyment and happiness. It will be a healthy and happy attitude that will enjoy the freedom associated with this newfound independence. It will be the question of “Have I achieved what I set out to do?” or the “Am I in the place I wanted to be in this stage of my life?” that will be important. If the answer is “yes” you are on the road to a satisfied new adventure.
Moving to a different state or town might bring the challenge of meeting new friends and encountering unknown neighbors. We will leave many of our trusted family and friends behind and see them on special occasions only. We will have to find fresh interests and hobbies, or establish new relationships which share the same joys. We might want to work part-time as sitting on the couch for the rest of our life isn’t an option, or maybe we want to finally explore our creativity as an artist of any kind? There are many questions to be answered. There is much soul-searching to be done, but be assured that the solutions are already within you and me, and every single soul who needs answers. We all know deep down in the deepest chambers of our hearts what we really love and what we want to do. Whatever it is, let’s do it! Because this new life change will be the best thing ever, especially because we are more mature and much wiser than when we started out in life. Let this knowledge and wisdom guide us. Let this change be the door to a more fulfilled life. As I always say: “It has to feel good. It has to be the right thing”, and “It has to be convenient.” And so it is!
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