Life Begins at 60:

  Having a bucket list seems to be the catch phrase of my generation that has the time, and likely the resources, to achieve the goals on them. Having a bucket list while in the throes of earning a living, raising a family and building a home would have been, for me, an exercise in futility so I never made one. In spite of this, I never lost track of the things that I really wanted to do and sought, whenever feasible, to accomplish them.

       Travel had always been on my to-do list and whenever opportunity presented itself, I made sure that my family explored the world together. Consequently, my family has a kaleidoscope of memories shared and revisited in our photo albums.

         The personal bucket list is something else. As we move through the various life stages our tastes and desires change. A bucket list made in our 20's would look very different from one made in our 60's. As we change, so to do our desires and our objectives.

         To make a bucket list in our early years can sometimes be a fruitless exercise when viewed down the road. It merely points to the fact that what we wanted at 25, which we may not have had the means to achieve, could leave us with a sense of failure or lost opportunity.

         There is also the question of external factors. As we move through life, many of our choices are dictated by circumstance so we become reactors rather than initiators. We respond to the needs of those around us at home and at work and, in so doing, we sometimes sacrifice our goals in favour of the common good.

        Only when the needs of those around us are less pressing, can we look at our personal goals and reinitiate them.

This might not happen until we retire, when our children have left home and our parents' needs have been met. Hence the phrase, "life begins at 60" begins to take form.

Be Flexible and Realistic:

Generally, it is considered healthier and more motivational to have things to look forward to and to plan for. Whether goals are written in a list or shaped in a mental attitude depends upong the individual. It is my experience that having a bucket list is a moving target and if I write things down then don't achieve them, I have somehow failed myself.

         Rather, I would prefer to have an open attitude and to seize  opportunities when presented with them. Presently, there are only two things on my bucket list: to travel and to stay healthy, which my husband and I focus our resources on.

         With goals there are various factors you have to consider. First, it is necessary to have goals that are achievable. If they aren't or if they are too large or extensive to be realistic, then it is necessary to re-aarrange them into manageable portions.

        A personal example for Trevor and I was hiking the South West Coastal Path in England. This goal was not established until it was partially completed when we knew it was possible. We didn't start the trail with the intention of finishing it. We started it for fun, found we enjoyed the experience and determined much later, that finishing it would become a goal.

        Another factor to consider is, are the goals affordable? A goal that is beyond the budget is not achievable and leaves us with a feeling of loss. When I retired I wanted to go back to university. The reality was that our financial situation did not permit the expense so I recalculated, and decided I could still learn by choosing topics I enjoyed and research them and teach night classes on the topics.

        After 10 years, this goal has provided much enrichment, resulted in several "books" or course packs on history and travel, and provided me with growth, which was the main goal. It also pays me, instead of me paying out from a finite budget.

        The learning stretched to art and after taking a few painting courses to get started, I married my travel experiences to landscape painting and eventually began selling my paintings. This opened up a new group of associates in the art world that increased when I coordinated a yearly art show. Though not a preplanned goal, it allowed me to develop my painting skills which I did not realize I had.

       Enjoy Yourself:

      Another take on the bucket list is to do things you enjoy and perhaps a goal will present itself along the way. In creating your retirement goals, do what you enjoy, mix with people you enjoy and the journey will play out in the best possible way. 

       If you choose this route, it's necessary to be flexible so that you can divest yourself of non-productive habits and ideas and embrace new ones that will add interest and variety to your life.

       A bucket list? Perhaps a better idea is to live life to the fullest and take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves. Follow your instincts and your heart and keep growing.

       The one instance when I find bucket lists very useful is for short-term planning. This is especially true when it come to travel. My husband and I often make list of things we want to see and do when abroad. If we plan to be in London, U.K for a few days, I make a mental list of things we want to do knowing that we may not achieve them or change our minds later on, but at least we have a roadmap to follow if we wish.

         This need for spontaneity is important since without it, the list becomes just another "have to" list and our needs of the moment are ignored in favour of the list. That is why Trev and I prefer independent travel since this need to follow our hearts is paramount to experiencing another country. Guided holidays do not allow for this flexibility and so we avoid them.

        A bucket list is a surefire way of giving us something to look forward to and focus our energy on, but it should be viewed an another tool to maximize our retirement. The main idea is to listen to our hearts, follow our passions, be flexible and realistic in what we can achieve, and be open to change. In other words: growth.  By opening our hearts to possibilities , we allow ourselves to revel in new experiences on or off the list. It is about making memories and trying to put into effect the oft quoted:

"It is not about how many breaths you take, but how many moments take your breath away." - Unknown