For Baby Boomers Only (continued part three)

For Baby Boomers Only (continued part three)

Part Three: A common sense approach for baby boomers

1. 'Identity' can be a major issue, as one often identifies oneself in terms of one's unique or particular occupation. Retiring from an occupation could imply 'loss of identity' or cause an 'identity crisis' in your life.

Always remember that it is possible to have multiple careers or occupations in your lifetime, no matter what age you are. Your identity is 'you' and is not really defined by your current or previous occupation. Perhaps you might need to re-define your identity and recognize who you really are?

2. 'Retirement' can raise some serious concerns, particularly if there is 'mandatory' or 'forced retirement' in your life due to age, as opposed to 'voluntary retirement'.

'Retirement' may simply mean that you are no longer doing one particular task or filling a particular role, as it has been completed for whatever reason. You have 'retired' from something in order to pursue something else.

It is simply time to move on to the next goal or activity in your life. It is not something for you to fear and in fact, the change can be very exciting and represent a challenge to you. How you approach or deal with 'retirement' can determine your state of health.

3. 'Exploitation' can be a major concern to 'baby boomers', as they enter into their years as 'senior citizens'.

Note that 'exploitation' as such, is not a new issue and is not an issue that just concerns 'baby boomers'. 'Exploitation' is as old as history itself and has been dealt with continuously by many other 'seniors', as well as by others of various ages and it will be dealt with by you and other 'baby boomers' in a manner that is fitting and becoming to your generation.

You are well equipped to deal with 'exploitation' because of the multiplicity of past experiences that you have encountered in your lifetime. That will become increasingly clear to you as you think more seriously about it.

4. 'Appearance' really does affect your age. It is often said that "Appearances can be deceiving." Perhaps it is a shock to look in the mirror and see the reflection of a silver haired 'senior' looking back at you. The loss of one's youthful 'appearance' can be devastating to those who are focused only on 'appearance'.

There is a certain degree of beauty and elegance that is both loved and respected in the clean, vital and youthful 'appearance' of a 'senior', regardless of what one's age might be. There are many things that you can do to enhance your 'appearance', if you choose to do so, but it is really a matter of choice. Choose to stay young in spirit.

5. 'Old'? What does that mean or signify? Perhaps you and others might begin to ask yourselves what 'old' really is. It terms of bread, it could simply mean that the bread is just getting 'moldy'. It terms of wine, it could imply a 'better' and a 'tastier' vintage. In terms of one's intellect and personhood, it could mean 'wiser'. In terms of a vehicle, it could interpreted as 'authentic' or 'antique'.

The word 'old' is merely relative, ie. in terms of whatever one is communicating at the moment. If you choose to see yourself as 'old', then you are 'old', after all, you are as old as you think and feel.

Age can also be relative in terms of where you live. In the southern climates, like Florida, the 'old' are much 'older' than in the northern climates. In the northern climates, many people consider themselves to be 'old' at fifty or sixty, while in the southern climates, people consider themselves to be 'old' at eighty and ninety years of age. They perceive those in their fifties and sixties to still be 'spring chickens'.

What about Methuselah and his generation? The secret for the 'baby boomers' is to think young and each one who does will be healthier and happier because of it.

6. 'Finances' are a major issue of concern for the 'baby boomers'. There is a growing multiplicity and diversity of fears related to 'finances', with respect to the reduction of govenment pensions, shrinking company pension plans or retirement benefits, loss of nest eggs, homes or savings.

For these kinds of financial issues, there are no simple answers, as each individual situation is unique. What is needed are some creative solutions to these kinds of pertinent issues, because they will affect everyone, young and old alike.

Remember that 'transition' has always been a reality in terms of 'finances' and people becoming 'seniors citizens'. This is not either new or different.

What is new and different in this era, is the reality that the the 'baby boomers' will out number the number of people in the work force, very shortly. The 'baby boomers' that choose to remain part of the work force, will probably be in a better financial situation, than those who choose to leave the work force for whatever reason.

Perhaps you might take this into consideration when you think about retirement or changing your own job, if you are a 'baby boomer'. Do you really need or want to retire? Is it the best possible move for you with respect to your long term financial planning? Consider the alternatives first.

7. 'Alternative' life styles are an issue of growing concern on a global scale for 'baby boomers'. Many people, both male and female, are choosing to live in relationships that are not 'husband as male' and 'wife as female' relationships.

Keep in mind the reality that relationships are almost always based on one's own choosing.
We can make a choice in terms of a 'moral' choice or one that is an 'a-moral' choice. What we choose, will in time reveal its own long term consequences. No one can tell us what choice to make, as choice is an personal matter based upon one's own conscience.

Think about the word 'norm' for a moment. There are distinct kinds of 'norms'. There is a norm that is based on 'morality' and there is a 'norm' that is not based on 'morality'. There is also a 'norm' that is based on 'numbers' and one that is not based on 'numbers'.

With respect to 'alternative' life styles, what was once considered in terms of a 'moral norm' is now shifting in terms of becoming a 'numbers norm', a 'norm' based on 'numbers' not on 'morality'.

This transition of the 'norm' based on 'numbers' represents a threat to the previously established 'norm' based on 'morality'. It may also prove to have far reaching and serious implications in terms of world health.

In time, the effect on future generations will become increasingly evident. What may now seem to be an acceptable 'norm' based on 'numbers', may not prove to be quite so acceptable on a long term basis.

When you, as a 'baby boomer', consider your own 'choice' of life style, take into consideration the future of those you love and the population of the world in general. Consider all of the factors, not just your own personal preference. Only you can make this choice and teach others to do the same.

8. 'Resources', the abundance or lack thereof, is a major concern for the 'baby boomers' whose entire lives have been spent in an era of abundance with respect to available 'resources'.

'Basic resources', on an abundant level allow the growth and development of the economy. A lack of 'basic resources' triggers a 'survivor' mentality of existence. The 'baby boomers' have been part of a serious growth and development economy that still continues to grow in many respects.

But as resources dwindle, the economy will suffer and so may the next generation.

In terms of actual 'human resources', the 'baby boomer' generation has a lot to offer in terms of expertise and experience. Unfortunately, what the 'baby boomers' have to offer to the next generations may or may not be considered to be of value or merit to them. But how those 'human resources' are employed will determine to a great extent the success or the failure of the economy of the next generation.

9. 'Strategic planning' by the 'baby boomer' generation may or may not be in accordance with the guidelines of previous or future generations and may represent a threat to them.

As you and others plan your 'strategy' for survival in the 'baby boomer' generation, remember that you are certainly not alone. Loneliness is one of the most difficult situations for anyone to deal with on a long term basis. Loss is another major issue of concern as one looks at the loss of income, spouse, home, etc. Illness or disability may loom on the horizon as well. Boredom could be a plague that affects thousands.

Remember that these are issues that have surfaced in other eras as well and will have to be dealt with, just as they have been prior to your 'baby boomer' era. You can do a lot to ensure that you not only survive but thrive. Find out what really excites you, what interests you, what triggers your passion for living. After all, life is about living and living a full, happy and healthy life.

Make a point of living each day as though it the most important day in your entire life. Who knows, it just might be that. Challenge others to do the same thing. Re-write your life your way. Re-design your transitional phase of life so it is rewarding and satisfying to you and to others.

You will be really glad that you did.