In my earlier years, I dreamed about the day that I would retire. I would sit on my front porch with that special person and munch on grapes, while reminiscing about the good things in life. We would travel to places such as Las Vegas, Florida, Hawaii and enjoy all the sights. Our children would bring our grandchildren to visit during the holiday season. Retirement life as a baby boomer would be filled with rest, relaxation, laughter, peace and serenity. The days of having to do would be gone. There would be no more sixteen hour shifts to work, no alarm clocks to set, and no rushing on week ends to get the lawn mowed before a work week would begin. Our children would enjoy visiting us. The grandchildren would play in the backyard. Jake, the dog, would lay lazily underneath the Elm tree. Jake would always be ready to play catch with us with his favorite ball. At night we would retire to our bed, pat each other on the bottom, give a hug, and fall off into a peaceful contented sleep. Our boomer life would be about not doing after all the years of hard work that we both had done to finally get to this place.
Now forty years later, my retirement dream, at age sixty-three is still about not doing but the not doing has changed. My priorities in life are different as they are with many of us in the boomer generation. Here is my not doing list as it is for today.
- I will not worry about tomorrow. Worry keeps me from enjoying the things in life that can be enjoyed for free such as a sunrise, a sunset, music, art, a cloud formation, the sound of rain, the beauty of a snowfall, the taste of a freshly baked cinnamon roll, the softness of a babies hand, or the sent of a lilac that has just bloomed.
- The television will not be my top priority each night for entertainment. I will not waste countless hours watching soap opera’s and sitcoms about other peoples lives. Instead, I will be utilizing my time to make my life one of purpose that is encouraging to others that may follow me.
- Since there is no special someone in my life today, I will not spend hours trying to change that person or any other person to my way of thinking. Trying to control another is not in my plan today because it is a time sapper and a selfish way to live. Each person has earned his own right to think and be just as I have earned mine.
- Even though it is important to look our best, I will not spend hours in front of the mirror trying to make sure every hair is in place to please another human being. Instead, I will enjoy the feel of a fresh shower, place a smile on my face, and be grateful for the person that I have become. My days of people pleasing are over. Yes, I am over it!
- Shopping will not be an obsession in order to compete with the Jones next door. I will not shop until I drop, spending money on a credit card for things that will only bring a moment of pleasure and sore feet. Instead, I will appreciate what I have and reassess my needs.
- I will not compare my life to that of others and feel regret. Instead, I will live in the moment and keep a positive attitude toward the future.
- I will not plan my meals around greasy french fries, hamburgers, salty hot dogs, and mounts of unhealthy foods that will leave me feeling guilty right after my feast. Instead, I will love myself enough to eat a more balanced nutritional meal. I might break those rules on occasions though just because, I can. 🙂
There you have it, a not do boomer retirement list! It might seem a little silly to many but as I review it, I can see where it will bring about a lot more valuable ways to spend my time and enjoy the time that I do have. Who knows, maybe someone will enjoy doing the not doing with me. Then we can still take those trips without arguments and time busters. 🙂
As usual, I will end this by saying, “Enjoy the journey!” It is in your hands what you will not do so I hope that you share your not do with us.
Originally posted 2012-01-21 23:00:44.
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