| As I go about my typical day I can't help but notice | | | | Now, it's time to... |
| increasing numbers of people over the age of 60 still | | | | Get help. Although the advice of family and friends |
| in or returning to the workforce. At 11pm the toll | | | | can sometimes be useful, I believe it can be more |
| booth operator, at 1am the early morning cashier at | | | | effective to get help or information from someone |
| Kroger, the other day my pizza delivery guy, all | | | | who has not prejudged you. People who know you |
| seniors, still on the job for various reasons. I sat | | | | will tend to tell you all the reasons why you can't or |
| down and pondered, "What's it like to have to | | | | shouldn't do something. Leave the naysayers to the |
| reinvent yourself after you have reached your | | | | side and do your own research, your own due |
| sixties?" | | | | diligence. Your local library is a good place to start and |
| I didn't have to go far for some answers. My mother | | | | for the computer saavy of course there is the |
| who just turned 63, recently retired from her self | | | | internet. Attend seminars geared to your topic, go to |
| employed business. She's been in the bridal business | | | | open houses, call ahead and take tours of businesses, |
| for more than 20 years and a seamstress for more | | | | community living complexes, expos, and/or colleges. |
| than 30. As one of her former customers says, "She | | | | Attend job fairs even if it's just to pick up business |
| does the best bridal alterations in North Carolina," | | | | cards, brochures and to get new ideas. Once you |
| which is no easy feat. | | | | open your mind to the possibilities, opportunities will |
| My mom had been talking of retiring for more than a | | | | present themselves in the most amazing ways. One |
| year and at first I thought it was just that, talk. As | | | | tip here; don't spend any sizeable amount of money |
| the months approached to D day (Do It Day), I | | | | until you have slept on the idea overnight. |
| watched, listened and came to understand her drive, | | | | Now, it's time to... |
| determination and desire. You see all three of these | | | | Get answers. Here are some resources for you to |
| things had to match up in order for her to be able to | | | | check out. I have no affiliation with any of them. This |
| close the doors on a business she loves, move more | | | | is just a short list of what's available to you. - a |
| than 700 miles from one state to another not to | | | | directory of retirement communities. - a directory of |
| mention leave her church, friends of many, many | | | | housing choices. - has RV living information. - contains |
| years and some family members behind all to venture | | | | information and classified ads on becoming a property |
| into the unknown. Not an easy task for most. | | | | caretaker. - information on finding seasonal jobs at |
| How does one in good health, who is not financially | | | | places like national parks, ranches, ski resorts and |
| wealthy, has no other major reason except a desire | | | | summer camps. - become a roommate or look for |
| for change, a desire for a more carefree life, pack up | | | | one. AARP.org - one of the most popular senior |
| and go or change careers or re-enter the workforce? | | | | lifestyle sites online. There is a wealth of information |
| Here is a road map to help you outline the later half | | | | out there, just set aside some time to organize your |
| of your life. | | | | findings. |
| Get writing. First you really need to determine where | | | | Now, it's time to... |
| you are, so that your thoughts and actions can easily | | | | Get busy. Alright, here is the hard part. You have |
| transition you to where you want to be. Now stick | | | | thought it out, done your research and got some |
| the pen to the paper and write it out. Do you want | | | | answers. Don't let fear, uncertainty or change keep |
| to move from a house to an apartment or condo? | | | | you from moving forward. Don't worry about making |
| Do you like the idea of a retirement community? Do | | | | a mistake, it's guaranteed that you will make one or |
| you want to alleviate financial pressure or | | | | two. The joy of realizing your new life will far out |
| responsibility and move in with family? How about | | | | weigh any mistakes along the way. |
| throwing caution to the wind and turn your hobby or | | | | When I come to a crossroad in my life I like to |
| passion into a new business? The more out of the | | | | remember a quote from a movie called Shades of |
| norm for you, your new choices happen to be, the | | | | Fear, "Stretched out in front of me, road like a |
| higher your drive, determination, and desire will need | | | | runway headed for the blue sky, but the road bends |
| to be. Even at this stage in your life anything is | | | | and the sky is still dark over there. I can't tell if I'm |
| possible, especially at this stage. Once you have | | | | going into it or against it. What matters is that I go." |
| some clear ideas of what you are wanting... | | | | Please let me know how things turn out for you. |