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Rapid Change

I caught up with my friend M almost after a year. She is about two years away from retirement and is actively preparing for it. Her home improvement projects are about done and as soon as they find their dream home in Maine, they will list this one for sale. M does not want to quit the workforce cold turkey immediately upon turning 70 but says her tolerance for corporate bullshit is nearing an all-time low. She is not sure that after 70 she will be able to stand it at all. That conversation made me think about my level of tolerance and how much longer I have left to go. It feels near impossible that I will last until 70 as M most surely will. There is a point in our lives when the future seems vast and open -anything is possible. Then comes the time when the field of vision narrows and there are only a few paths left. The brave and enterprising among us, defy what they see in front of them and decide the paths that are closed and do not exist can be coerced into being open for them - they do the work needed to make that happen. Suddenly, close to retirement, all options become possible once again. 

M gave me some advice that got me thinking about how I can navigate the decades to come - she asked that I own my age and experience, treat it as an asset even though there are situations where it does not feel like it is. Her view is that I need to believe it is an asset and something unique others don't have - only then will I see results. The other wisdom is well-known but bears reminding - do not stop learning something new every single day. Chatting with another friend who is nearing 60 was insightful on the second topic - learning everyday. His perspective is that we are fortunate to be living in a time when change is coming at us so rapidly. Being younger does not give anyone specific advantage. The technology of the day is new to just about everyone. By flowing with the tide, age becomes immaterial at best. 

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