Freedom 55

There were these retirement commercials over a decade ago, that depicted a couple heading into early retirement, and their dilemma was choosing Tuscany or Provence, Italy, and then driving the winding roads in a convertible like Thelma and Louise.

I don't see those commercials any more.  Yeah.  Cuz it's a crock of s#!t.  Well the travelling the world and all that imagery.  I realize now that I've hit that Freedom 55 milestone, that it's not about that.  It's always been about - "do I have a choice?"

And it's not just about having enough money to pretend to be like I'm in Oceans 55.  I've managed to take care of my stuff long ago, and set things in motion so I could hopefully have a choice at this stage of my life.  I don't want someone to take care of me.  That's just how I've learned to live my life.  I wanted to always have a choice.  You can't have everything.  Or if you got really lucky.  Maybe you can.  You are one of the fortunate commercial people that have a person bust through the walls and encourage you to dream big.

But most are NOT in that position.  And pinning your hopes on stuff like that can be - not so gud - at a stage when you aren't as good as you once were.  Freedom 55 is setting yourself up so you can take care of yourself.  It may not be like in the commercials, but at the very least, comfortable.  

My response to the question above is - I do have a choice.  I consider myself lucky.  But it's the choices I made along the way that put me where I am - good or not so good.  Remember it's all relative.  Not so good for you might be really good for someone else.

It wasn't always so easy, but effort and perseverance can go a long way.  Having foresight is key, starting early, investing in yourself.  All clichés, but all relevant.  I didn't wait for things to happen, I could be waiting a lifetime.  I knew I needed to make things happen, make connections, try new things.  Sure some things didn't go exactly to plan but still it came out on the positive side.

You try, you fail or things go wrong, you work out a solution,  you learn and move forward.

I realize now, how unimportant many things are.  And the simplest things are the most important.  I get to wake up and see the sunrise.  It's amazing.  I'm a bit groggy at first, but it's a miracle every day.  

I'm fortunate to be where I am, and have the family I have, but also to be healthy and capable.  And more importantly everyone I love is healthy.   It's a blessing that I can share my life with them.  I notice these things more now than ever.

Everything else seems secondary.  It's not about wanting more.  But appreciation of what's within my hands to grasp.  In some cases my toes.  Haha.  Certain peeps will get this.

You can't turn back time no matter what. Live your life while you can live it well.  You have ONE life to live.  Don't bet it on some random numbers.  You can...just don't plan your life on them hitting.