Spring … time to enjoy the renewal

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Hello and Good Day! Hope You have been doing well and making the most of your days! Thank You for taking the time out of your day to read my article… it is always greatly appreciated!

Well, I have adjusted to losing that hour with “springing forward” to Daylight Savings time! We have had a few wonderful days of warm temps, (in the low 70’s), and even a spring thunderstorm that just wrapped up. Our magnolia tree is in blossom, (and hopefully, we don’t receive a hard frost that destroys the flowers – the past two years the tree was in full bloom and we then received a hard frost that destroyed the flowers -and- our time to enjoy the beauty the tree adds to our yard!)

So, Spring must be here in Central Indiana (we hope – lol)!

Just as we complain about losing that hour of sleep, an hour of our day, an hour to spend with our Family, or that hour to do (something). It marks the time to usher in Spring – time to enjoy the renewal of the grass, trees, shrubs, etc. -and- get outdoors to soak in the fresh air and sunshine.

Just as Spring, rejuvenates our outside surroundings and provides the fresh air and sweet smells of the flowers, I’m continuing with renewing my ‘Encore’ years enjoyment.

(*note to self and others: I’m not stating we wait until each Spring to embrace this renewal, just using Spring as a metaphor to raise the awareness of making the most of each of our days.)

How do we know if we are just growing old without embracing the full potential of this special time in life?

Are we living the retirement we were coached to experience or living an ‘Encore’ we are to enjoy and build upon?

At the end of the day, how we embrace this ‘Encore’ phase of life is a choice. 

I’m finding it’s a conscious decision to live fully at every stage of life – to celebrate the past, embrace the present, and look forward to the future with optimism and hope. 

It does seem simple enough; finding joy and fulfillment in the simple things and cherishing the beauty of life in all its imperfections.

However, we must understand and accept to enjoy this phase of life isn’t merely about the passage of time, but rather about how we choose to live during this time. It’s about celebrating life, cherishing every moment, every experience, every lesson learned.

We need to embrace a holistic approach that involves taking care of ourself. It’s not just about maintaining our physical health, but also about nurturing our emotional health, stimulating our mind, and feeding our soul.

Every day presents an opportunity to learn something new. It’s this curiosity for improving our knowledge that will help us remain vibrant and young at heart, at any age.

It means coming to terms with reality as well. It means acknowledging that our bodies and minds are evolving in ways we might not have anticipated.

But it’s through this acceptance and stop fighting against the tide to begin flowing with it, we discover strength within ourselves. We can then begin appreciating the beauty of this ‘Encore’ journey and the wisdom we’ve accumulated over the years.

I’ve stated in previous articles it’s important we continue to engage in lifelong learning. Whether it’s picking up a new skill, diving into an interesting book, getting outside and enjoying nature, etc., we must continue to feed our curiosity.

Research shows continuous learning can help improve mental agility and even delay the onset of cognitive decline.

This constant quest for knowledge will keep us engaged and stimulated, adding a layer of satisfaction and accomplishment to our retirement years.

I am accepting we don’t need a busy social life, although it’s important to continue naturing and savoring those important personal relationships with Family and Friends. Many of the books I am reading continue to highlight how important it is to find happiness by practicing mindfulness. This could mean meditation, yoga or simply taking a moment each day to reflect and be present.

Whether You decide to practice mindfulness through a morning meditation routine, a quiet walk in the park, or simply enjoying a cup of coffee/tea in silence, use mindfulness practices to enhance the quality of life You are expecting to receive during this phase of life – embrace the quiet moments by yourself and cherish the joy of one’s own company. 

These quiet moments will allow You to cultivate self-awareness, introspection, and a deeper understanding of who You are and what You want from life.  So don’t shy away from this time alone

It’s an opportunity to pause, breathe, recharge and align ourselves with our thoughts and emotions – see each day as a gift!

I am also appreciating the predictability of a daily routine. This provides a sense of structure and purpose during retirement

From waking up at the same time each day, going to the Y for my workout, going to yoga, taking a walk and enjoying nature, setting aside specific hours for reading, writing this blog and working with Justin at his firm,(RLS Wealth), or recording the next podcast, (‘ The Next Episode’), with Justin.

It’s important to acknowledge this phase of our life isn’t merely about the passage of time, but rather about how You choose to live during this time. It’s about celebrating life in all it has to offer cherishing every moment, every experience, every lesson learned..

We won’t be able to reverse the clock. Do not deny or resist the changes that come with age, but rather embrace them with acceptance and positivity.

I remember when I first retired, I found myself looking back at my life, reminiscing about the past, and contemplating the future. It was a time to acknowledge the accomplishments and the struggles, to forgive, and to plan ahead.

I am beginning the third year of my ‘Encore’ phase of life and accepting it’s a great life that will be filled with joy, fulfillment and tranquility. It’s about understanding that it isn’t an end, but a new beginning – a chance to continue exploring new horizons, learning new things, forming new relationships and deepen existing ones. It’s an opportunity to continue growing and evolving.

And like the approach of Spring, all things continue to express the beauty they posses and contribute to my life; along with the profound realization to embrace this ‘Encore’ with grace and positivity, continue expanding the joy and gratitude with my time with Denise, my Families and my personal pursuits.

Please continue to make the most of your days -and- as always;

“Never quit searching, never settle and never give up seeking your greater purpose!“