At some point in our lives, our Soul turns up the volume and asks questions we can no longer ignore. The questions, if finally heeded, may be the catalyst for a post retirement adventure that will keep you exploring until you recognize the right answer for you. Stay curious and the loneliness many feel upon retirement is seldom encountered because the Soul will demand answers that only you can answer. And the answer is worth the journey. Even if it feels like you have embarked upon your first 💯k without any training. Not for the faint of heart but I believe beyond fulfilling...
After law school graduation, my Soul started rumbling but the volume stayed under control until our daughters left the nest for College, and reached a high pitch after I sold my business at age 65. Over the past 13 years, I first lost my brother to a lethal brain cancer, then my Dad to heart disease and recently my 101 year old Mom to natural causes. Mortality re-focuses one on the Soul...
When Covid hit, I started doing virtual halves … they count … at least in my head they do! One that I did was the Running with the Cows half, KS. If nothing else, the shirt was great … ever see a cow with running shoes?
Strength to Strength - Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life by Arthur Brooks is a really good book as well. My sister-in-law read it and then recommended it to me.
Consistency is where it is at. . .you'll find out! ;) You've already got it, Terrell!
Rainy today. . .managed to clear out one garlic bed. Mushrooms are growing fine! I have 2 ripe tomatoes. Not too cold, tho my brother said it snowed in Vermont!
As for Hollis—reading Hollis was responsible (in part) for my decision to stop drinking and reinvest that time into something else—something that would have meaning in the “second phase” of life…the phase when I finally grew up!
It will be 4 years in January…I originally stopped (or one of the reasons) because I was trying to make a BIG decision—and I wanted to do it “soberly”—both literally and figuratively. And then it just “stuck.” (I had tried to give up drinking about a ba-zillion times before…but I was ready this time.) And now, “sober” is the new black!
I love the image of the countryside, town and spaces you shared... beautiful. Thank you.
The book you mentioned might be something for me to look at. I turned 50 this year and have had some discontent about not having life figured out or feeling like I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. All while my hubby mentions retirement and seems to not have any of the questions I do.... Thank you for that as well, the book and the validation in my headspace.
Thanks so much, Wendi! You know, there's another great book that came out a few years ago along these same topic lines, which I haven't read yet but I want to, called 'The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After Midlife.' It's about how we kind of go through a U-shaped curve in life vis-a-vis our happiness and satisfaction, and how things ebb in mid-life -- but there's good news after that.
There's something to this, I totally get where you're coming from -- I still don't know either! :)
Yup I’m right there with you my friend. I always thought one day I would just be “grown up” still waiting and I love the insight about asking the question verses seeking answers. Take care my friend. If you figure it out let me know.
I'll have to read that book as I'm in my 2nd half of life at 56 and my 50 state half journey really took off at 51...well 53 after COVID was "manageable" towards society. I have 1 more half (state 35 PA) before year's end and then will keep some 5ks spliced in until March when the states start up again! My rookie mistake was completing the majority of the warm states 1st LOL! It truly is enjoying what life one has left which unfortunately when we're younger likely can't appreciate as we do now. :-)
They do but I tend to go for the smaller races as I've done some major ones (Flying Pig, Denver Colfax) and they were "great" but I like the smaller ones and when MN had like the 4th largest snowfall total 2022-2023, I was going to a race just about every month which I won't do again. The smaller races tend to fall within 2 weeks of each other, thereabouts so I've placed my remaining states, planned races on a spreadsheet and for 2026 have 4 of the 5 states already booked so fingers crossed I'll be done when I'm 60 and then 61 will be a repeat victory half in Kona, Hawaii which I've previously run but what a way to celebrate the end of the goal and downgrade to 5 or 10ks! :-)
I recall a bit of rain in 2023 with Flying Pig. I was glad to run it but no need to do it again. I like the smaller races as you don't feel lost in the crowd. I did Charleston that year also vs. Myrtle Beach and it was as cold if not colder than MN.🥶🐢🏃♀️I'll be glad when my goal is done and halfs become discretionary but the community in general is second to none!
Definitely! It's almost 20 years old, but it feels very current for me -- obviously because this is where I am in life, but I can see anyone finding the same things in it.
Great “fall colors” pic. I do not regret working into my 70s, nor does my “roommate of 50 years”. We were blessed with jobs enjoyed. Retirement has been great … it’s a well-deserved rest with our activities often decided on at the spur of the moment.
At some point in our lives, our Soul turns up the volume and asks questions we can no longer ignore. The questions, if finally heeded, may be the catalyst for a post retirement adventure that will keep you exploring until you recognize the right answer for you. Stay curious and the loneliness many feel upon retirement is seldom encountered because the Soul will demand answers that only you can answer. And the answer is worth the journey. Even if it feels like you have embarked upon your first 💯k without any training. Not for the faint of heart but I believe beyond fulfilling...
I believe you! Do you recall around the time in your life when this came to the forefront for you?
After law school graduation, my Soul started rumbling but the volume stayed under control until our daughters left the nest for College, and reached a high pitch after I sold my business at age 65. Over the past 13 years, I first lost my brother to a lethal brain cancer, then my Dad to heart disease and recently my 101 year old Mom to natural causes. Mortality re-focuses one on the Soul...
Love this, Clark.
When Covid hit, I started doing virtual halves … they count … at least in my head they do! One that I did was the Running with the Cows half, KS. If nothing else, the shirt was great … ever see a cow with running shoes?
Strength to Strength - Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life by Arthur Brooks is a really good book as well. My sister-in-law read it and then recommended it to me.
Consistency is where it is at. . .you'll find out! ;) You've already got it, Terrell!
Rainy today. . .managed to clear out one garlic bed. Mushrooms are growing fine! I have 2 ripe tomatoes. Not too cold, tho my brother said it snowed in Vermont!
As for Hollis—reading Hollis was responsible (in part) for my decision to stop drinking and reinvest that time into something else—something that would have meaning in the “second phase” of life…the phase when I finally grew up!
I LOVE that, Diana. How long ago did you stop drinking? (And forgive me if I've asked you this before and forgotten!)
It will be 4 years in January…I originally stopped (or one of the reasons) because I was trying to make a BIG decision—and I wanted to do it “soberly”—both literally and figuratively. And then it just “stuck.” (I had tried to give up drinking about a ba-zillion times before…but I was ready this time.) And now, “sober” is the new black!
I love the image of the countryside, town and spaces you shared... beautiful. Thank you.
The book you mentioned might be something for me to look at. I turned 50 this year and have had some discontent about not having life figured out or feeling like I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. All while my hubby mentions retirement and seems to not have any of the questions I do.... Thank you for that as well, the book and the validation in my headspace.
Slowing down, hmmm, not something I am good at.
Thanks so much, Wendi! You know, there's another great book that came out a few years ago along these same topic lines, which I haven't read yet but I want to, called 'The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After Midlife.' It's about how we kind of go through a U-shaped curve in life vis-a-vis our happiness and satisfaction, and how things ebb in mid-life -- but there's good news after that.
There's something to this, I totally get where you're coming from -- I still don't know either! :)
Yup I’m right there with you my friend. I always thought one day I would just be “grown up” still waiting and I love the insight about asking the question verses seeking answers. Take care my friend. If you figure it out let me know.
I'll try! No guarantees, but I'll try! 😀
I'll have to read that book as I'm in my 2nd half of life at 56 and my 50 state half journey really took off at 51...well 53 after COVID was "manageable" towards society. I have 1 more half (state 35 PA) before year's end and then will keep some 5ks spliced in until March when the states start up again! My rookie mistake was completing the majority of the warm states 1st LOL! It truly is enjoying what life one has left which unfortunately when we're younger likely can't appreciate as we do now. :-)
Isn't that the truth! Do the colder states have races in summer you can run, btw? (I'm sure they do -- but I hear you!)
They do but I tend to go for the smaller races as I've done some major ones (Flying Pig, Denver Colfax) and they were "great" but I like the smaller ones and when MN had like the 4th largest snowfall total 2022-2023, I was going to a race just about every month which I won't do again. The smaller races tend to fall within 2 weeks of each other, thereabouts so I've placed my remaining states, planned races on a spreadsheet and for 2026 have 4 of the 5 states already booked so fingers crossed I'll be done when I'm 60 and then 61 will be a repeat victory half in Kona, Hawaii which I've previously run but what a way to celebrate the end of the goal and downgrade to 5 or 10ks! :-)
Flying Pig in May had 3 miles of rain in the half. Myrtle Beach half was all rain this year
I recall a bit of rain in 2023 with Flying Pig. I was glad to run it but no need to do it again. I like the smaller races as you don't feel lost in the crowd. I did Charleston that year also vs. Myrtle Beach and it was as cold if not colder than MN.🥶🐢🏃♀️I'll be glad when my goal is done and halfs become discretionary but the community in general is second to none!
Thank you for your writing, Terrell, and the James Hollis book. It sounds like a good one for my husband to read.
Definitely! It's almost 20 years old, but it feels very current for me -- obviously because this is where I am in life, but I can see anyone finding the same things in it.
Great “fall colors” pic. I do not regret working into my 70s, nor does my “roommate of 50 years”. We were blessed with jobs enjoyed. Retirement has been great … it’s a well-deserved rest with our activities often decided on at the spur of the moment.