Life is too too short, don't wait too long ....... or else

So many times I hear people talk about future travelling and holiday plans. I even hear moving house plans, a sea change to live during the retirement years. All these individuals have one thing in common, it is what I call optimistic hope of happy adventures to save for, a golden apple that makes the working life worthwhile.

Planning ahead is an excellent idea and I have to say that a lot of us do just this. We all need something to aim for, a reward for the long years of working. But, what if we take too long to to step into the next stage? What if well meaning individuals go into a state of inertia and do not get to actual travelling or sea change shift sooner than later? It is very easy to get re-diverted, to forget the arranged time to start the water tight exciting future plan, to convince oneself that you can do with more money. A couple more years of working won't matter in the big scheme of things. To skilfully persuade oneself that there is plenty of time. Good intentions go astray, a fog of forgetfulness settles into the mind. The day in and day out work and home routine continues

Life gets in the way! But at the same time this does not mean that one cannot embrace and love in the now, the present moment. Wasting our precious everyday moments is definitely a no no with ancient wisdoms along with philosophers, psychologists and spiritualists. We only have the present.

Enjoying and appreciating your partner, children and lifestyle is a must for health and well being, but on the other hand to also have future plans sitting on the drawing board is practical and sensible. The optimum is achieving a good balance. Giving oneself a reason for the effort of earning is the incentive that keeps one on track, accumulating a nest egg for a happy life after work. The biggest challenge is to being able to step into the next stage, to let go of work.

This story of two people exemplifies the essential nature of living in the now, grabbing hold of every happy moment and waiting a bit too long. It is one of those situations when this older couple, Mary aged 64 and Richie aged 73 shared a travelling plan for retirement . Richie was ready to lay back and enjoy life, which is what he did and Mary wanted to keep working for a couple more years. Then they planned to convert Richie's work van into a self-contained one to travel around Australia. Suddenly and unexpectedly Richie's heart started playing up and he had a pacemaker put in. He appeared to be doing well until a month later one early morning he had a fatal heart attack and died.

Did Mary feel regretful at missing the opportunity to travel with her Richie a couple years previously? The answer is yes, among her happy memories there is a little regret.

So, whatever you want to do, go do it. Don't reach the end of your life with regrets that you missed out on something special. Have the wisdom to know when to move on.



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Cheers

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