Some dreams are consistent throughout our lives—good health,
enough income to live comfortably, and plenty of love.
But others change . . .
When we’re young, we may focus on getting a higher education,
building a career, and making lots of money. One thing I’ve noticed is that many young people out of college have high expectations.
Prestigious jobs with numerous perks, exotic vacations, and homes that are far
more than what we could have even dreamed of at that age. As a fan of HGTV, I’m
often blown away by what twenty-somethings are looking for in a home, and how
even just one room’s paint color can turn them off to seeing what the rest of
house has to offer. Ahhh … note to them …
paint color can be easily changed.
When we’re in our twenties, life may seem easy . . . But as we move into our thirties, forties,
and then fifties, our perspectives may shift because of responsibilities and
experiences: marriage, children, health concerns, job loss, grandchildren,
aging parents, etc. Life becomes more complicated, and dreams can sometimes
feel elusive. By the time we reach our sixties, what seemed possible in our
twenties can look impossible, and we
may wonder . . . how did we get here?
It’s kind of humorous that when we’re younger, we fantasize
about big, beautiful homes, but after
we become empty nesters, we begin to think about how nice it would be to have a
small, lovely house that requires
very little maintenance or yard work.
Regardless of your age, how do you view retirement? Getting up
in the morning with little to do but drink coffee and watch The Price is Right? Of do you envision
world travel in your future? Are there hobbies you want to explore? Classes you
want to take?
What about volunteering in your community or even other
countries?
We
can’t live forever, but what we do can change lives forever. ~ Michael
Josephson
But, here’s the kicker. We can’t just quit our jobs one day
because we’re “done,” and we want to pursue those dreams that were shelved. Oh,
if only it were that easy. Trust me, it’s not.
My husband, Sonny, and I have been planning financially for
retirement for many years, but we’re cautiously looking at the day that it can
become reality. Why? Even with investments, life insurance, and a pension in
place, we have to look at the rising cost of living, health care, etc. There
are also decisions to make, like . . . should we sell the house or live in it
until we’re no longer able to move up and down stairs and maintain the place?
There are so many things to consider.
But we’re never going to stop dreaming!
You
are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. ~ C.S.
Lewis
No matter your age—retired or not—I encourage you to dream. Fulfill
whatever purpose God has for you in each season of life.
How
have your dreams changed over the years? If you’re thinking about what
you want your life to look like after retirement, what are you doing now to
prepare and make that a reality?
Dawn
