Osho describes old age thus,
“It is a ripening of your being, maturity, growth. If you live moment to moment, to all the challenges that life gives, and you use all the opportunities that life opens, and if you dare to adventure into the unknown to which life calls and invites you, then old age is a maturity. Otherwise old age is a disease. Unfortunately many people simply age, they become old, without any maturity corresponding to it. Then old age is a burden.”
There comes a day in everyone’s life when one suddenly grows out of the age-old routine of waking up, getting ready for work and reaching office on time. There are no alarm clocks and no office bags. After having successfully passed through the various phases of life, overcome multiple stumle-blocks, been through various ups and downs, you enter a new phase of life – retirement. But retirement does not mean retiring from life. It is merely changing gears and driving down a slower lane where the ride is more relaxed and beautiful.
An interesting psychological study shows that 55% of people believe that they will be a burden on their family post retirement if they are not able to take care of themselves. 24% dread ending up at an old-age home, 12% fear being left alone as destitute while 10% worry death. The figures are truly disheartening, but only if we see ourselves in any of these brackets.
Old age is the harvest of all our working years. We are left to reap what we have sown for so long. Old age is beautiful for those who have lived their yesteryears well. With each passing day of our youth and adulthood, we do our little bit to ensure that our retirement years are sweet and comfortable. It is upon us to think and plan towards living a happy old age. It is but foolish to adjourn the thought of living a happy old age while we are still young and can plan for it because before we wake up to our first day post retirement, it will be too late to reconsider our plans. Here are a few ways which will ensure that you live your golden years to the fullest.
Plan your finances: Life insurance plans, mutual funds, pension plans may sound boring and appear to be a long-drawn plan but they are not mere tax-saving techniques. Financial planning go a long way in helping you live through your golden years the way you always dreamt of. You have been saving all your life, cutting ends and depositing lump-sums in the bank only to use them when you have no source of income. Now is the time to reap the benefits. Your savings, assets, investments, pension, all make you financially sound in your life post retirement and ensure that you face the mature years with courage and pleasure.
Live healthy: Lead a healthy life while you still can. Age brings with itself manifold problems – weak knees, poor eyesight, ailing heart and nervous disorders. It is important that you start taking care of your body now so that you pass your old age in good health and high spirits. Take balanced diet, exercise regularly, rest adequately rest and practice to calm your mind through yoga and meditation. Most importantly, get yourself medically insured so that when illness strikes, you are well-braced to fund the cure.
Have a hobby: No matter how busy you are, it is important that you pursue an interest. This will not leave any place for vacuum when you are retired and have nothing to do. Exploit your talents, learn new languages or pottery, take up a sport, paint or simply give words to your thoughts.
Stay in touch: Friends are important, more so when you have no office colleagues around you, no fellow bus-passengers, no familiar faces to turn and smile to. Keep in touch with friends. Take time out to meet them as often as you can. Like they say, friends are forever! It is them who you will eventually turn to when you grow old.
Make plans: Old age can be quite frustrating for those who consider it as a ‘death knell’. Retirement, in its initial stage, seems like a honeymoon phase. However, with the paucity of ideas and after prolonged rest and relaxation, one might tempt to get a little disoriented. Therefore, it is advisable to plan your life after retirement. Figure out what you love doing the best, what opportunities you will have in front of you and how will you face them, whether you would like to utilize your knowledge and experience gained over the years and how, et al. Once you have a plan of action, you would want your golden years to approach faster so that you can get a release from the pressure-cooker years once and for all!
Travel: The best part about retirement is that you can move around like a free bird; you can take off for your dream destination without anyone raising an eyebrow at your absence. Once you are ready with your list of ‘places I must visit’, start saving for that dream holiday. Trust me it will be worth all the effort.
Be a volunteer: There are several organizations that may need your assistance and guidance. Volunteering at schools, libraries, hospitals, welfare projects and camps etc will not only keep you busy but also in touch with people and happenings. Your worries will decrease considerably while you help others improve their life.
Think of alternate careers: Plan to become a consultant or even start your very own business post retirement. A corporate executive can become a consultant while a sportsperson can take up coaching. Better still, be your own boss and run your niche empire. Chisel your skills and abilities while you are still young. Keep a track of all your contacts and utilize your talents and expertise. Be prepared for an investment, even on a moderate scale and be financially independent even in your golden years.
Old age is full of life, full of sweet harmony. Every experience is like a little snatch of a song. As someone has rightly said,
“Rich in experience that angels might covet
Rich in a faith that has grown with the years.”
The trick is to polish your hard learned lessons and brace yourself to live life to the hilt even when the shadows of age fall upon you. There is so much to life even after retirement. Think of the things that you have abhorred from the bottom of your heart all this while – the strangling tie, the threatening alarm clock, deadlines, schedules, planning for your children’s future, cutting ends, saving and sacrifices.
Old age will be your turn to help others tread along the way you have already travelled. There indeed is so much to do! Look around for opportunities. Do not dread age. It is just another phase of life; and yes, it can be very charming if you want and plan it to be. Look around for opportunities. Life, after all, is worth more than your job. Plan to make it fulfilling and productive so that you can live it up to the hilt.
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