John Montgomery Rouse recently wrote a thought-provoking article "What is the Future of Work ?"
I am retired and now work for myself. Here are my thoughts on life after working many years for others:
1) Take delight in menial chores (a hand washed plate has its own beauty and deserves the same respect as that first cup of coffee)
2) Don't read articles with titles such as "Ten Reasons Why You Can't Afford to Retire."
3) Bring an animal into your life (if you haven't one already).
4) Delight in a rocking chair, ignore all warnings that it is a sign of old age.
5) Walk.
6) Respect your memories as old friends. "Don't live in the past" is the advice of fools.
7) Eat well.
8) If you find yourself with fewer friends, the chances are that those who remain are your friends.
9) Listen to the stories of that old neighbor you never had time to visit.
10) Wave and smile, it is good for both the soul and the joints.
Cheers,
Colonel Possum
©Colonel Possum Publishing Co.
rate
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 42
Thank you very much. Let me give you a big wave and a smile!
Cheers,
Colonel Possum
It is always such a pleasure to see your icon pop up out of the blue! By all means.
Cheers,
Colonel Possum
Thank you. Your encouragement has made me a real Gatherholic!
Cheers,
Colonel Possum
My more mature gather friends remind me of the importance of this every day. Magical Colonel, you've blissed me out.
have a great day Colonel filled with smiles! Salud,
These are great additions. The problem with fitting one's thoughts to a number is the good thoughts left behind!
Here's a big wave and a smile!
Colonel Possum
I think I'm only retired from a corporate world. I still set my alarm 5 days a week and work for myself. Sometimes, I'm a tougher boss than others I've worked for but I do enjoy the freedom. Keep the faith, it comes at you sooner than you think!
Cheers,
Colonel Possum
here
It is always a joy to hear that voice calling from below. My two closest neighbors are women; one is 92, the other 97. Their stories are great!
Cheers,
Colonel Possum
Hmm...the future does seem a bit grim in that respect. If it does come to Alpo, I will grow garlics and pick olives. A little garlic and olive oil makes anything taste better. Thanks for the tip, I hope neither of us needs to visit that end of the culinary spectrum.
Cheers,
Colonel Possum
Thank you. With respect to "simple", thought #1 came a little later in life. When in Thailand, Iwas amazed at how happy people seemed to be doing simple things like sweeping. As Westerners, I believe we grow up somewhat "chore adverse." I don't advocate turning a day into endless chores, but taking joy in a few seems to bring a nice balance.
Sweeping the porch has a beginning and an end, and gives me some sense of accomplishment. I wish I could say the same for some of my other daily endeavors!
Cheers,
Colonel Possum
I always look forward to reading your advice too! Your thoughts are gratefully added to the list. I am sure we all remember certain positive things folks told us when we were young. It is time to return the favor.
Cheers,
Colonel Possum
Thank you very much. I'd be interested in your thoughts on my comment to Mona because I believe you spent time in Thailand too.
Still waiting to hear from Laura but I haven't forgotten the mission!
Cheers,
Colonel Possum
Thank you for a most wonderful link! Here's a sample for others to see:
"Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders."
And there are a lot more from Sunscreen! Thanks again.
Cheers,
Colonel Possum
Can I come over?
Have a good porch sit!
Colonel Possum
In fact, it was always an embarrassment to hear Americans demanding things like air conditioners, ice, and such when it was so much easier to acclimate to the situation. My father never allowed us to be anything but respectful guests of that country. As a result, we were more open to the country, the people, and the beauty there.
I hope my brother (Eric Spindler) shares some of his Thailand stories at some point -- he's older than I am and remembers much more.
I love the one about not reading those articles, they scare you to death......
Peace.
And may I add, " Don't be affraid to be happy."
I am so glad you like it. I actually printed this out many years ago and keep it near whatever work space I use.
Good excerpt.
John - Those articles are not good for one's peace of mind! Just in case, store up some red beans & rice + Alpo for the pets (thanks, Donna), bury some gold in your backyard and stop worrying! Oh, save your pennie. With the present commodity boom, copper will be as good as gold!
Aileen - Yes, the SFV will rise up into the heavens during the Apocalypse with Moon Unit and a chorus of Valley Girls chanting, "Oh my gawd!"
Cheers,
Colonel Possum
Thank you for sharing your Thailand experience. It is truly a magic land, especially in the north. I was impressed by the Buddhist temples up there for these reasons:
1) Typically open to anyone who drops by respectfully.
2) Dogs and other animals are free to wander about and sometimes sleep in the Buddha's lap.
3) There is usually a grandfather clock randomly set to some time. I think the message is that we are prisoners of time in this life but shouldn't get too hung up on the "exact time".
4) The temples tend to be "ship shape" but not obsessively clean. I try to follow this discipline at the OHC or until Big Molly tells me to pick up my mess.
Thais have a cool world view!
Colonel Possum
That's a great one and so true - Don't Worry, Be Happy!
Cheers,
Colonel Possum
You tossed the rock into the pond that started all these ripples, so I am honored! Thank you. How are things in Sweden?
Cheers,
Colonel Possum
Thank you.
Cheers,
Colonel Possum
Doggone it. I copied the ten points of advice and e-mailed it to a bunch of my e-regulars, crediting it to John M. Rouse. Then an hour later I clicked on his website, only to find that the article was the superb work of the one-and-only Colonel Possum! Mea big fat culpa. Pony Storm
No harm done. If John hadn't written his article I wouldn't have written mine!
Cheers,
Colonel Possum
I like washing dishes and looking out the window to see the hummingbirds
that visit daily...or sitting outside with a good book on a weekday afternoon:no place to go, no people to see...just me, my cats and the world going by.