The Wounds of Life

So, you are looking forward to retirement. “Roll on 65,” you say.

Over the five previous issues in this series we introduced this topic and looked at the Big Picture, Health, Finances and Changing Environment. In the next, and final issue we will summarise what we have discussed so far on what can be a scary season of life for many men and women. As with any season of life you need a life plan and the third age is no different. This season of life should be the most influential and rewarding.

So, the big WOUNDS OF LIFE picture is;

WOUNDS OF LIFE

Our human failings often result in us carrying to varying degrees, emotional damage from experiences of life. It could be an economic loss, a relationship loss, a grievance with another person that we won’t let go, a broken relationship with a family member, friend or spouse/partner, or a perceived personal failure that we still beat ourselves up on. The burden of such things can cause anxiety, anger and ultimately depression. We were not designed to carry heavy emotional burdens. To live well in the Third Age you need to deal to all these issues. You may need the help of others or a professional to bring peace where there is chaos.

UNFULFILLED DREAMS

As mentioned previously we can all carry the loss of experiences or events that we may never action, or people that we may never meet. There needs to be a reality check as part of your life plan and choose to let these unfulfilled dreams or opportunities go so they don’t become a burden.

DEATH

There is a need in this season to prepare for departing this world. It is good to leave all matters tidy and in order. Leave a Will. Make sure your spouse/partner is protected and provided for. Review the need for a Power of Attorney should you or your partner/spouse become incapacitated. Leave a record of assets. Leave a record of passwords. Leave a statement of wishes re any assets. Detail specifics regarding funeral and burial. Dump what you don’t need and what others don’t want. Save your love ones from doing it. There is no point hanging onto things, which in reality is a hanging onto the past. Move on and be all that you are purposed to be in this season of life.

WORLD VIEW

In this season of life, you need to check and review your world view. Your basis of life belief and operation may have seemed ok when you were young, but now that you are entering the last years of your life does it still hold as true? Are you happy with what you believe happens to you after you die? Ten years ago I had my first trial with cancer, and while undergoing chemotherapy I entered a state of neutropenia. This is a state in which your immune system collapses and you are susceptible to catching an infection that the body can’t defeat, and potentially you could die within a period of three hours. While in this state I was in an isolation ward at Auckland Hospital and I said to God – well Lord I may be with you in the next three hours. I felt absolutely at peace and was happy to go, but also preferring to stay longer.

Questions to ponder

• If I die in three hours’ time, am I happy with my current world view and ultimate beliefs?
• Are my affairs tidy?

Is there anything I need to let go of, to live well in the third age?