Retirement

Some great speakers crossed the stage in front of me this past week, Terry Bradshaw, Bill Cosby, Lou Holtz, Colin Powell, Rudy Guliani.....all brought to Wichita for a motivational seminar. One speaker was talking about retirement: "GONE are the days when you work for the same company all your life and retire with a pension!" he said. "You have to take control of your own retirement now!"

Not too long ago, my friend's uncle died....at 68. The funeral was held two days after he died in the hospital, which was two days after he was admitted, a quick and unexpected death from a stroke. Now while we might envy the man a fairly trouble-free way of leaving this earth, I learned that he had retired early, at 64.

Four years. Four short years to spend differently than our lifetime (it seems) of getting up every single morning, rain or snow, heat or wind warnings, with not enough sleep, with a headache, needing a break, and going to work every day. Four short years free of the grinding routine of his job (even those that love their work must admit that sometimes, it is just an existence/chore). Did he have plans to do things after retirement? Yes. Of course he did!

That fact was never more stark, never more personal, never more timely than at this man's funeral. I calculated, I extrapolated, I visualized and I dreamed of spending more than four short years in the next chapter "after my professional career" (AMPC).

AMPC, I plan to help a not-for-profit. I even have the general type of non-profit selected - either homelessness or feeding the hungry. While there are few paying positions in this area, I am called toward it, and know I'll find a way.

So what's holding me back at my age? Some of it is fear, AMPC, health insurance is no longer a luxury, it is a necessary as shelter and food (if you have assets that are at risk that is, my indigent brother will be served if he needs health care, with no way to extract payment from him afterwards). The leading reason for bankruptcy is medical costs.....not credit card debt.

The small population here is another obstacle. To put it in perspective, I used to attend the Susan Komen Race for the Cure here in Wichita. The event would draw about 7,500 people. I visited Little Rock, Arkansas.......their Race has 45,000! Forty-five Thousand people!

So.........if I live now, because tomorrow is not promised to anyone, and if I am going to do what I am called to do, I would have to change some things!

These are dangerous words........being written and spoken by a person who has lived in the same city her entire life (except for college), a person who has had the same type of job her whole career, and who lives in the first house she ever bought -more than two decades ago.

And yet.......there is my study and practice of yoga.....a practice that sustains me, teachings that I continuously attempt to incorporate into my life, and the calm and confidence that they instill. It will work out. Even on the cusp of great change, clear-seeing is possible, and the right choices will seem natural and organic.

Wish me well......
Namaste.