If you don’t like the career you’ve chosen, then why are you wasting your years–that you’ll never get back–for an elusive dream that may never arrive?
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I am not waiting for an age I might not even see to live my freedom.
But yet, something convinced us into giving away a significant portion of our life in exchange for the chance to retire and live free for our remaining few years.
And that makes sense, how?
You can plan and save all you want, but you need to stop waiting for 65.
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You know something is wrong when three-quarters of the nation are disengaged and hate what they do. Kind of feels like we were just shuffled into a process to benefit someone else’s dream. And now many of us are lost, trapped, and with the overwhelming rise of consumer and national debt, people fear whether or not they can even save for retirement.
My dad, God rest his incredible soul, was preparing for retirement. He did love his job and was genuinely engaged. But, it’s a shame because he was all set to travel the world with my mom in just a few years and then “Wham!” At 60 years old he was killed in highway accident commuting home from work.
This kills me to no end because, of course, I miss my dad, but also I know how much he was looking forward to living this dream. Now, unlike most, he did enjoy his work. But he was planning to do what he loved doing even more, which was to spend his life enjoying this beautiful world with the woman he loves.
I know this is going to ruffle some feathers and at the same time it’s what a lot of people want to say at the core but feel too trapped.
Hear me out men, providers, you who are doing everything you can to make 65 your magic year, I have a message for you.
You can plan and save all you want, but you need to stop waiting for 65 to create the life you want to live. Let me give you five good reasons why.
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1. We never know what tomorrow brings. What if you never see the year and age you’re planning for? Would it still be worth it? This is about as real as you can get. It’s harsh, but it’s a reality, and so is every valuable hour you give away.
2. You could lose your health much faster. What if you use up all your health saving for wealth and spend all your wealth trying to get your health back? Imagine what all that stress is doing to you. Do you think that’s going to serve your last remaining years well? Will it help you live longer?
3. You could miss out on the relationships that are begging for your attention now. What if you work so hard to make this happen for you, but in your last days wind up alone because no one thought you cared enough to give them your time? Your time to love, create, and live life is now.
4. You could risk regretting a life not authentic to yourself. Many of us are living out of the expectations of others and don’t know it. We’re living the dreams of someone else and don’t realize it. Don’t you have a dream? I’m sure you did when you were young. Where did it go?
5. You will miss out on the freedom that was calling out to you the entire time. Talk about regrets. You know what calling I’m talking about. You feel it and know exactly the world you want that blows the world you live in away. It’s calling to you because that’s exactly where you should be.
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When I turned 40, I had a very surreal experience with that reality. Here is what wrote in my journal that day:
“Today is a monumental moment in my life. I said goodbye to my 30’s last night before I closed my eyes in a bitter/sweet moment with a simple act of love, appreciation, reconciliation, as well as letting go. Everything I’ve lived through has prepared me for what I’m doing now and whatever is about to happen. The great news is that I have great influence in the outcomes of the coming days. No matter what that outcome is, my every choice has tremendous power.
What I do and how I live each and every given moment is up to me, and I will either be rewarded or I will face consequences, but either way outcomes are affected by how I live. I’m looking forward to making each day count for the rest of my entire life. I will not get to my death bed having regrets of not living a life authentic to myself. I will not get to the end of my life regretting that all I did was live out of the expectations of others. I will not close my eyes for the last time knowing that I lived someone else’s dream. I will arrive in those last days with a powerful sense of fulfillment, knowing that I was true to myself, and nothing in my past could ever dictate the future that I decided to create. I am free beyond free because I choose to be. Let’s cheers to another 40 years!”
Your real freedom is waiting for you.
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I know this freedom calls out to you. I know you want it. If you don’t like the career you’ve chosen, then why are you wasting your years that you’ll never get back for an elusive dream that may never arrive because tomorrow may not even be here?
I invite you to break-free. Get away from what has robbed you of who you truly are; what has practically stolen your soul and go create the life you want to live today.
Go out there now! Your real freedom is waiting for you. Design and live your dream, because no matter what, you’re going to be living someone else’s dream especially if they hire you. You might as well make it yours.
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Photo: Flickr/ Prasanth Chandran
Wow, Robert, this is exactly what I am living for myself and it is challenging and wonderful every day. I still like how exploring my ideal career as a writer means I am automatically expected to tolerate relatives suggesting I get a real job so we can remodel the kitchen instead of being patient and waiting for the royalty payments.
Life is not a dress rehearsal and living someone else’s dream doesn’t guarantee you a delightful and engaging life once you hit 65.
Inspiring and well written!
Thanks Bren
Hey Bren, thanks! Definitely not a dress rehearsal… We have one shot at this century we’ve been given. Kudos to you for stepping out to create your own dreams as a writer! Appreciate you sharing.