A Brand New Twenty-Sixty Life

My wife is a psychotherapist, and I'm a leadership coach (former therapist). We're in our fifties (her) and early sixties (me, although everyone swears I don't look like it), and you'd think we were in our mid-twenties.

We have these lives that defy our ages.

Five years ago we moved to a new town after turning loose three kids to succeed in the world. We gave up everything we were used to in order to start new careers (those mentioned above). We moved to an unfamiliar culture -- east coast, smoking, pentecostal, hyper, crowded -- from being westerners -- laid back, casually dressed, big sky. It was one hell of a switch.

We tell each other we "went off to college" to earn our informal degrees in midlife change. Don't get me started on how this isn't mid-life... it's only midlife if I'm going to live to be 124.

This return to school includes having an economical rancher instead of a ranch. No eating out hardly ever. Drinking cheap booze instead of the good stuff. Working way too many hours and doing work that absolutely requires the energy we had at twenty-five. The only thing that isn't the same is we don't have sex twice a day and stay up late while doing all that.

We talk about how tired we are sometimes, how we really aren't twenty-something. I pine for a more relaxed life where I fish every day, don't work much at all, have time to sleep late, maybe write a book. After all, aren't I at the age where I get to do that?

Nope.

Both of us are spiritual people. Not religious people, spiritual people. We believe in the God-ness (the alrightness) of everything. We even go to church, but not because we are into this religion or that. We just want to celebrate our connectedness with others.

In our spiritual selves, just between us and all-that-is, we have seriously committed ourselves to being of service, to making a difference, to bringing some love to this sore and scared world.

I'm finding out that means there is no such thing as "retirement". There is youthful service, no matter the age. There is the joy of major leaps and small gains; there is no such thing as "age-appropriate" behavior.

Shop until you drop? No. It's serve until you stop, sliding into home plate, glad and full of love, ready to find out what's next. It's stay excited about each day. It's treasure what you've got.

We have four grand-babies now, and a fifth on the way. That's a lot of wiggle in a room. My wife loves the puppy pile. I hyperventilate at some point and go fishing with a friend. But in the back of my mind, whether I'm fishing or working, I'm full of gratitude for this life I have.

I may be sixty-something, but I love my twenty-sixty year-old life. It's warm and full, and it's mighty alright.

29 Nov 2008 11:48:06

Four steps to living a more frugal life - Vancouver Sun

CTV British Columbia Four steps to living a more frugal life Vancouver Sun, Canada - The pursuit of happiness -- at least the most materialistic expression of it -- took a blow in the US Friday when a 34-year-old Wal-Mart employee was ... Buying Nothing Day Can Save Someones Life Wal-Mart Worker Dies What are TVs and Payday Loans Worth?

Source: http://canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html

29 Nov 2008 07:07:18

Westerners, Asians from all walks of life among Mumbai victims - CNN International

Canoe.ca Westerners, Asians from all walks of life among Mumbai victims CNN International - (CNN) -- They were fathers and daughters, tycoons and spiritualists, Westerners and Asians, who were in Mumbai for different reasons. ... Video: NY Rabbi, Wife Among Dead in Mumbai Raid The scourge of terror Missions of faith end in sorrow

Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/11/28/mumbai.victi~

29 Nov 2008 07:00:19

Planned Parenthood offers gift vouchers - Washington Times

WANE Planned Parenthood offers gift vouchers Washington Times, DC - Pro- life groups -- longtime opponents of Planned Parenthood -- have denounced the voucher program, saying it will lead to more abortions in the state. ... Video: The Gift Of Planned Parenthood? Gift certificates for birth control? Foes say bah! Gift Certificates For Birth Control Outrage Some Hoosiers -

Source: http://washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/29/planned-parentho~

28 Nov 2008 22:56:00

S. Korean court backs end-of-life plea - United Press International

South Asian Women's Forum S. Korean court backs end-of- life plea United Press International - Seoul Western District Court ruled Friday that the woman, identified only with the surname Kim, should be taken off life support and have her feeding tube ... SKorean court grants coma patient right to die Court Approves Mercy Killing for First Time in S. Korea South Korea Supreme Court OKs Feeding Tube Removal, Euthanasia Worries

Source: http://upi.com/Top_News/2008/11/28/S_Korean_court_backs_end-~

28 Nov 2008 22:53:38

New York Man Called a 'Killing Machine' Gets Life in Prison for 6 ... - FOXNews

New York Daily News New York Man Called a 'Killing Machine' Gets Life in Prison for 6 ... FOXNews - NEW YORK A man prosecutors called a "killing machine" when he was on trial for six murders was sentenced Friday to life behind bars by a judge who said he ... Two life sentences for lowlife 'killing machine' Fausto Gonzalez Killing machine' gets prison for 6 NY murders

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url

28 Nov 2008 05:17:26

Women Smokers Lose 14.5 Years Off Life Span - Washington Post

ABC News Women Smokers Lose 14.5 Years Off Life Span Washington Post, United States - THURSDAY, Nov. 27 (HealthDay News) -- During Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November, female smokers should take advantage of available resources, ... Smoking takes 14.5 years off a womans life

Source: http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/27/~.html

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