In Part 1, I introduced the idea that retirement can be overwhelming—and that LIFE IS MESSY. The second key takeaway was that beginning anything new with an open mind and heart, free from the pressure of perfection, is the best place to start. Part 3 will focus on grounding.
Are you a patient person? It’s something I struggle with.
I’m not the guy who can sit with a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle and while away an afternoon (not that there’s anything wrong with that). But growth requires patience. Sure, I can practice the trumpet day after day, working to regain ability and endurance—so maybe I do have a little patience after all.
Just as you didn’t go from novice to mastery overnight, the same applies to building a meaningful life in Chapter X. It takes time, patience, failure, learning, and a healthy dose of self-love to navigate the bumps along the way.
Assessment is key, as is the ability to appreciate each attempt, each step forward (or backward), and every bit of knowledge gained. Growth is cradled in the act of trying to improve yourself and the lives of others.
It doesn’t need to be complicated. It needs to be simple, and it starts with honesty. Ask yourself:
- What do I want today to be?
- What will make it a good day?
- How do I want to feel when my head hits the pillow?
- What am I looking forward to?
For life to be meaningful—as you define it—try to simplify each step.
Your determination to make it joyful is the key to living in harmony with who you are.
