Reality Around You
I learned a couple of things in my retirement about reality. First, your savings for retirement becomes the clay that molds your retirement activities. Translation: What you can afford to do. Second, your opportunity for future earnings will be limited by both yours and others’ perception of your age and physical and mental limitations.
Does that mean the end of your being able to live actively in your remaining years? Absolutely not!
However, you do need to face some realities and learn what you can do about them.
Some realities are out of your control, such as the economy and the business decisions being made that affect your ability to buy and the availability of products to buy. Then, we vote for politicians who create laws that can affect our way of life.
Be careful to do what you can and learn how to react to the rest.
Actions and Reactions
“For every action there is equal reaction” comes from Newton’s Third Law of Motion. This is a law of physics, which means an observed truth about physical motion.
Though actions and reactions go beyond physics. You will observe them in many ways, including human interaction, business promotions, and family financial dynamics.
At this point, I must advise you to watch your attitude! It is up to you to control your reaction to the actions going on around you.
Remember the Serenity Prayer, may you have the serenity to accept what cannot be changed, the courage to change what can be changed, and the wisdom to know the difference.
This message is not just for seniors. Whatever your age, if your reality assessment does not match what you hoped for or expected, you have the option to create an action for a better result.
Be Proactive for Results
You may not feel like a pro, but you can be proactive, which means you can start yourself down a better path by changing what you can.
Need to know more? Read, study, and research.
Need to earn more? Learn new skills.
Making positive changes starts with you. If you want the world to react to you more positively, you must be more positive.
Nobody likes to experience negativity. Do you appear negative to others? Most can see when the world has problems. But pointing out the problems does not bring a solution. Offer a solution when you talk about problems and you will find more friends.
Then, those friends might be willing to help you find solutions that benefit you both.
That will help get results!
Develop a Vision
We are all limited as individuals. But the help of others can multiply our potential.
Whether it is a form of ministry that spreads or a billion-dollar company, they were started with a vision and shared that vision with others.
For most of us, however, being short on ideas, we will be limited to a shared vision within our household of the benefits of good stewardship. If we eat well and live comfortably, then life is good!
However, if you are unhappy with your current reality, consider your vision of what could be more ideal about your life. As you define what that is, add a list of what you need to do to achieve your vision.
You cannot change everything but learn what you can change and take action.
Making Plans
When you develop a vision of what you can change, you will begin to define what that change will look like. Then goals and the steps needed to achieve them will emerge in your mind. Adding the consistent habit of reading to get answers to questions will help you to clarify those steps to become a part of your plan of action.
Will you have the courage to make changes? Will you have the wisdom to know the difference between what you can change and what you cannot? Pray for it.
Meanwhile, remind yourself that your reality will not change until you do.
Making small changes first can make big changes possible. You must define how urgent your defined changes are. That will help you emphasize what needs the most attention in your daily plans.
Adjust to the Flow of Life
Some days are busier than others. Some days have more distractions than others. Be ready for the calm days that allow you to work on your changes. Those changes might help you handle the busier days better!
Be sure to pay attention to what affects your life now more than it will later, such as raising children. Raise them well so they can be self-sufficient later. You will want them to be a help and not a hindrance later in life. Though they may need your help as they learn how to be out on their own.
After your children are on their own, you can focus on your retirement hopes. Hopefully, you can save enough money to make retirement a pleasant experience.
Rest to Work
You must give value to rest.
Body discomfort, worry, and just going to bed late which limits available sleep time can cause loss of rest. And, unless you are retired or unemployed, naps will be hard to come by.
Without rest, you can develop health issues, the inability to think clearly, and less physical energy.
You need rest. Make that a part of your plan for change. Allow for rest to be more proactive for good changes in your life.
Measure and Reflect
Make your plans and goals measurable. Then you can see your progress with the changes you make.
Reflect on your reality and what can change if you change. How is your attitude? Are you still willing to change? Will you just accept your current situation?
Being able to see results can be motivating for more progress.
Action Can Lead to Results
Facing your reality can be painful when you realize how much you have avoided doing to make things better.
Excuses are easy to find, especially when using personal distractions, family distractions, or economic distractions.
The question becomes what have you done to overcome those distractions?
Nothing changes unless you do. If there are no changes your situation will stay the same. If you want improvement, then you must improve.
Your action is needed to bring the results that you visualize. Make plans to stay organized and productive.
If you are happy with your current situation then ignore this post. If you are unhappy then face reality and take action!