Things We Have Now That We Didn’t Have Then

When you have the time, cycling is a great stress reducer.

We’re all getting older, and with age comes some unpleasant things, like aches, pains, and loss. But we also have things we enjoy now that we didn’t have when we were younger. Material things are perhaps the obvious example, but the things that truly fulfill us are more important.

Speaking for myself, I am more selfless and compassionate. I’m no longer in the corporate arena, and I like that. No, I love that! I have more time to reflect, write, ride (I’m a cyclist), and pull weeds (I like to grow things). I do take on the occasional commercial project to keep my thinking sharp, and I enjoy the challenge.

What have you discovered as you’ve gotten older? What has become the shiny new object, the ultimate keeper of your happiness and contentment? Could it be a new career or business? Grandchildren? A renewed relationship? Life experiences? Self-confidence?

Please, share your ideas in the comments below.

I Quit My 13 Year Obsession!

 

Me, not so happy about quitting.

I'm not happy about it! I've spent countless hours over the past 13 years trying to gain traction in the vacillating world of social media.

And I just quit. I mean, I left everything: Facebook (hated it), Twitter (loved it), Instagram, Linkedin, Reddit, Pinterest, and Typepad.

Elon Musk was the catalyst. His botched purchase of, and impulsive, toxic, and cruel management of Twitter, precipitated the beginning of my exit from social media. First, I quit Twitter, which was a difficult decision. Then, I had to pause and ask myself, what benefit have I gotten from all the time and effort I've put into my social media memberships over the years?

The answer was very damn little!

So, I decided to quit all of these corporate-owned media platforms. Instead of wasting time among haters, fake news, and empty-headed drivel, I decided to spend my time writing messages that matter.

I will now spend all of my time writing here, on Medium, and I will soon return to the Substack platform with a brand new newsletter.

I am, however, involved with one social media platform - Mastodon. Mastodon is different. It's not corporate-owned. It's a Democratic, decentralized platform that is quite different than anything I've experienced. No advertising, no hate (at least not yet), conversations with intelligent people, and an opportunity to operate your own server, if that's your thing.

If you'd like to try a social media platform different from any of the big ones, you own it to yourself to check it out. I'm hoping it will scratch my itch for community.

My handle on Mastodon is: @lloyd@mindly.social

Sign up and come visit me.

Keep Moving: Fitness is Easier Than You Think

 

Walking is the best movement! Thanks, © Mark Timberlake!

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or trained fitness practitioner. Before undertaking any fitness regimen, get your physician's approval and know your physical limitations. 

Reaching Beyond Your Comfort Zone

Have you ever felt that you can’t get out of your own way? Often there are things we’d like to do or dreams we’d like to achieve, but we don’t. The reasons are many. Sometimes it’s fear, laziness, procrastination, or complacency.

Paulo Coelho, 75, author of The Alchemist and other fine writings, says, “People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.”

I believe that and live my life around that assertion every day.

We can become happier and more content if we continue to grow and evolve as humans. Being mired in old thinking is a death sentence to a life of contentedness. New ideas and an open mind are necessary to overcome complacency.

What have you dreamed of doing, achieving, or at least trying that would require you to push yourself beyond your comfort zone?

And, having identified that dream, when will you start pushing? The ancient Chinese philosopher and writer Lao Tzu said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Go!

Learn more …

Step outside your comfort zone

We're Not Dead Yet!

My wife and I help out at a holiday event.

Recently, a young person in his twenties asked me, what can you possibly do after 60? It's a fair question coming from someone who hasn't yet experienced much, if any, of adult life. Biological, chronological, and intellectual age, each being a different thing, questions like these of older folks are common. My answer to this inexperienced questioner is ...

Your life after 60 can be the most creative years ever. I have been working since I was 15 years old. I'm 70 now and still working, thinking, curious, and loving to be active. I've had four spinal fusions and multiple eye surgeries; I'm blind in one eye, and the other is not that great, but I won't let these things hold me back. My philosophy is when something wears out, you mend it or replace it if you can and keep moving forward.

I'm not wealthy, but I manage. I'm not interested in TV, amusement parks, playing golf, or anything many retirees care about. I'm fascinated by small business, the science of gardening in my backyard, reading, and writing. I'm a lifelong learner—stimulating my brain with the excitement of new ideas is most important to me.

For exercise, I'm a road cyclist, nordic walker, and gardener. I've been married to the same lovely lady for 46 years. She understands my need to keep moving and keep doing. Retirement in the traditional sense is off the table for me. I hated the corporate arena when I was in it and would never return. But I love creating, writing, running a small business, and helping others do the same. Believe me when I tell you; life after 60 is an adventure!

So, the bottom line is not all of your elders are heading en masse to retirement communities. Many are going back to school, starting new relationships, exploring their creativity, taking new spiritual paths, embarking on "encore" careers, forming new communities, fighting for causes in which they believe, giving their time and money away, and yes, bucket listing.

Me personally? I am never bored and always look forward to what tomorrow offers.