***Retirement Living: Recognize and “Re-Know”

For the past couple of months, we’ve been considering a new social phenomenon—the “Type R” personality. At the risk of overgeneralization, here’s what we’re talking about. “Type R’s” are those who have reached retirement and committed themselves to a “recreative” lifestyle. That is, a lifestyle characterized by thoughtful overhaul of one’s approach to living. This involves a disciplined look at ourselves and the way we do things to determine “what to hold and what to fold.” This requires an honest appraisal of our personalities and practices with an eye toward evaluating what works and what doesn’t. The underlying rationale for this emotional house cleaning is the belief that we can craft a lifestyle that does three things:

(1.) optimize our levels of physical fitness,

(2.) increase our mental productivity, and

(3.) enhance our overall sense of well-being.

Last month, we observed that the single greatest obstacle to the process of becoming a “Type R” is inertia. If we don’t believe it can happen, or don’t get off our butts and make it happen, then—guess what?—it won’t happen.

This month, we’re assuming we’re over our inertia and we’re assembling the tools necessary to transform ourselves into “Type R’s.” Here’s the most important tool in the chest—”recognition.” Literally, “re-cognition” means to know again. In the process of constructing the “Type R” personality, we have to recognize the possibilities. Here’s what I mean.

Think back to your grade school days and try to recall your feelings about the limits on your ability to learn. Most of us can’t remember such feelings. Why? Because no one placed any limits on our abilities in this regard. It was assumed by our parents, teachers and we ourselves that we could and would learn what was necessary. Before our formal educations came to an end, we were expected to achieve passing grades in an impressive array of varied subjects. It is this very attitude that we need to recognize; re-know.

I recall my first hour of typing class. I left in complete despair. I didn’t see any way to overcome my natural lack of digital dexterity. My typing teacher laughed and said with a confidence that made me a believer, “Mike, there have been many students sitting in that very chair. After the first day, I’ve had a good number that felt like you do now. But I’ve never had one that didn’t learn to type. You’re going to do fine.”

I was reassured and she was right. I’m not claiming to be a “cracker-jack” typist, but I acquired enough skill to be able (with the help of computer correction) to type my articles, poems and books.

The point is, as students, we may have approached our studies with a level of apprehension, but most of us knew we’d learn enough to pass. And we did.

Now, we Boomers are at a point in our lives where we need to recognize—re-know—that we still have capabilities in this regard. Just as we took on new courses of study when passing from one grade level to the next, we can limber up our learning minds for adaptive thinking no matter what our age.

Now let me introduce someone who should inspire all “Type R” wannabes. About two weeks ago, Hazel Soares joined thousands of American students who made proud walks across a stage to receive college diplomas. What makes Ms. Soares remarkable is the fact that she’s 94 years old. She’s been patiently working toward her degree in art history for over twenty years. She now plans to apply for a job as a docent in a museum or university somewhere. My guess is, her success in this endeavor is assured. She is, after all, a “Type R”.

This attitude is not confined to the academic world. The “Type R” personality recognizes that the leisure, financial means, experience and determination we have now, can open doors to vistas never dreamed of by previous generations. As Alvin Toffler, perhaps the world’s best known futurist observed in his book Rethinking the Future, “The illiterate of the twenty-first century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlea
and relearn.” To this, let me add that we must also be able to recognize.

I’m Hink, and I’ll see Ya.