OVER THE HILL, RE-TYRED

'The Hero Shot' - art on canvas        

  Art by Gerlinde

Upon reflection, 

I thought I would extend the series On Over the Hill and relate my life in retirement.  Well, up to now.

Thus, because my current journey is aligned to riding a bicycle, for me, my retirement is a renewal and newness, I have re-tyred my bicycle.

A number of years ago I stopped working in the university environment and started my own business because I wanted to do my own 'thing', work my own hours and only be dictated by my own conscience. 


There are two things I never realised, firstly, how busy I would be and secondly, how it would set me up for retirement. I wasted more money than I thought but gosh...the rewards of seeing the world, meeting some wonderful people and experiencing and being involved in world events (to a small degree) was mind enriching.

However, because I am in the habit of doing whatever, whenever I am inclined, although I am 'properly' retired, I still live my life simply doing pretty much the same things, including staying up late and getting out of bed even later. However, I can't stop working because I am driven.

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I have arrived at the plateau of life. I aim to live to age 105. I figure by peddling slowly doing things that give myself and others pleasure and continue loving those both present and absent in life, with myself and my vehicular device (my bike) being re-tyred, life is good. I believe it is important that we realise the rough tracks we followed or adventured through as tough as they may have been at times, they are still to be cherished. Like love, once we love it stays for us forever, cherish all events encountered on your journey and continue to love.

Then there is the love we have for doing things whether it is work or recreation.

It is not so much in doing things we love, but I find there is immense pleasure in the physical and mental feelings of moving muscles and enjoying the thought processes involved. I enjoy the feeling generated by the thought processes itself as much as the thoughts. I see thought processes and the thoughts as separate entity. Although they may be one, they are separate things and are detached from each other. This gives me enjoyment. I hope you know what I mean.


When I refer to working, to me it refers to pleasures in my life such as reading, writing doing research for another book, after I have finished the two I am working on and one that is in the pipeline that is.


However, although I am still winding down my business, I have realised that it will continue in a small way and I will never stop working. Whether good or bad, I am not sure but science and the medical sector say that when one becomes older, it is best to keep active both physically and mentally. So, I figure that a little work, reading, writing and pottering around in the garden is a pretty good.

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I am what is now termed an 'Older Australian' which is a phrase I chuckle over. No longer are retirees referred to as 'pensioners' or 'senior citizens'. I have no idea why, perhaps because the word 'older' is not able to be quantified because to be referred as 'older' the question may be asked 'older than what?' 'Older' than age five perhaps? Therefore, it is not clear what 'older' means. Political correctness speak perhaps?

Anyway, this Older Australian is enjoying a wonderful life in my 'older-ness'.

I may be seen to be a member of the 'approaching the hill brigade' but as I said in my last post Over the Hill - Enjoy the Ride, there is no hill to get over anyway it is a plateau with no end on the horizon, a picture I enjoy, relish in fact. Do what I want, when I want and only if I want to...sure is good for me!

Peace to you all,


VERDE