DON’T JUST EXIST, LIVE!

Oscar Wilde sure was an amusing gent. This quote is sadly accurate. I’m not sure what happens as we age, but for a good many of us life becomes “wake up, work, pay bills and repeat.” This continues until one day we don’t wake up at all.

In preparation for my upcoming book, I have been asking people their take on what they believe can help put the passion back in life. There have been some great answers given. It was one gentleman’s failure to have an answer that really started me thinking.

We will call this gentleman Bill. He can retire at any moment he chooses. He has enough years, his house is paid off and he has a good amount saved for retirement. In addition, Bill spends a good amount of time and energy complaining about the job. His age, the cold and the aches and pains of not being a young man anymore.

I inquired with Bill why he doesn’t retire off into the sunset. His answer surprised me. “I don’t want to be bored.” He said. There was a great deal of sadness and resignation in his tone. He went on to explain that he really doesn’t have any hobbies. There is nothing that he really looks forward too. In not so many words, Bill confessed being the the “wake up, pay bills and repeat” cycle for so long he forgot that there was anything else out there.

Hopefully, Bill will find himself once again and enjoy life and family. He is not alone in this circumstance. Many people die shortly after retirement. It is due to a lack of purpose. They tie their identity to their occupation. When that ends, they feel they have no value and no purpose for being. Make sure not to find yourself in this situation. Do not just exist. Make sure to live!

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