Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Challenges
Nothing in the article surprised us, except this. After having interviewed a fair number of recently retired boomers, the author completely missed the fact that for many of us those very challenges are what make the experience so positive. Yes, the living costs are mostly lower in foreign countries, allowing for an earlier and/or better retirement. But the challenges -- be they linguistic, cultural, logistical or legal -- allow us to exercise our flabby mid-life brains and energize our comfortably hum-drum lives. As a direct response to the challenges, we learn new skills, build self-confidence and help hold Alzheimer's at bay for at least awhile longer.
A new home in Uruguay or San Miguel isn't the only way. I admire colleagues and friends who have jumped into a new career, gone back to school, entered an ashram or learned to play a musical instrument at age sixty-something or older. The goal for a successful retirement, it seems to me at this early stage of mine, is not to avoid challenges, but to enthusiastically embrace challenges, and the growth that necessarily ensues.
