What’s So Urgent?
The doctor walked into the room, scratching his head, “I don’t know what we’ll do with this problem.” He studied the CT scan results showing an aneurysm in my belly. He continues, “It’s very rare and mostly happens to men. I haven’t seen this in my 31 years of vascular surgery practice.”
My friend, Barb, who accompanied me, and I looked at each other, thinking, “What the hell does that mean.” The doc then says, “Nothing you did made this happen, and nothing you can do will make this go away.” I sit and try to take it in.
I say, “I feel like I’m walking around with a time bomb in my belly,” “You are,” he says and he shows us the pictures and draws diagrams and explains why the risk of surgery now outweighs the danger of rupture. We will wait and watch. His final words at the end of the hour of the consultation were, “GO LIVE.”
So, I am.
Dear Readers, you too, have an expiration date.
Do you know what you are risking if you wait? You risk missing out on your dreams, hopes, and plans. Stop waiting.
My mother and my mother-in-law are in the last weeks of life, long lives, 88 and 93. It’s a sad part of our life cycle. We live, work, raise kids, retire, kick back, and die. Covid throws off our assumptions because we know people who’ve died way before old. We know younger people who’ve died.
I am a Retirement rebel. I urge you to claim freedom now before you cannot.
The medical community convinces us we must have pharmaceuticals. The food community wants us to believe we need to be vegetarians or vegans to be healthy. The Money management community wants us to focus on funds to pay for Nursing homes, assisted living, and memory care. Are these true?
I defy them. I want you to think for yourself. Is your goal in life to survive until you run out of money, or do you want to create a life of joyful living?
Imagine you are a field of corn. The communities I mention water you, fertilize you and harvest you. Your ‘harvest’ is the years and energy you devote to your work. I believe we are to be productive (work) until the day we die AND it’s not necessarily a job, career, or for the benefit of an institution. If you can work, you will always have enough money to live.
You might be wondering exactly how to claim freedom.
Every person is different, and that’s why formulas purporting to solve personal decisions are lame. By formulas I mean self-help books or classes. You can certainly get them all, read or do the homework needed yet, still not be ready to claim your freedom.
A coach helps you create a tailor-designed plan specifically for you.
It’s time to investigate.
That’s what I did when investigating the time bomb in my belly. I researched. I discovered a single, worldwide study on Celiac Artery Aneurysms comprised of 19 people, 6 are women, 13 are men. I am hopeful because some have survived the surgery.
I called my Dad this week. He’s moving into an assisted living facility and is ready to be there. Mom’s in a convalescing home and Hospice. They married 72 years ago. I say, “You must be lonesome without Mom.” He answers, “Yes, and you’re going to go through this one day too.” And we laugh and laugh and cry. I think to myself, “I choose differently.” I may not make it to 93 even though that’s what I have stated for a long time. I will be productive until age 108, then consider retirement. I want to be like Moses, productive until age 120, then die on a mountain I’ve just climbed.
Do you have a dream to fulfill? I am not a genie, but I am available to show you how based on my experience, not only book learning:
– lived in Africa for four years
– learned to speak another language
– completed MBA, MSFS, CFP®
– Earned designations – Certified Peacemaker®
Certified Divorce Planner® Certified Money Coach®
– Owned and operated a financial planning practice, apartments,
A mini-storage, a 160-acre Travel RV park and nature reserve, Airbnb business,
-operate a pet sit and travel business
– Author: Funny Money: Laugh & Grow Rich
The Secret of Rightsizing
Pet Sit & Travel
(I might be ADHD or simply a life-long learner who gets bored after I learn something.)
Coaching is fun, like a garden growing in early summer. Green shoots, sturdy plants, blossoms, resulting in vegetables or flowers. I never get tired of teaching/coaching because you are each unique and I get to share insights and watch you grow.
You might be thinking why is she saying these things right now? I will tell you why. You and I are alike. We are both living with time bombs in our bodies. Even the city of Venice. The only difference is I know what mine is. I do not tell you these things to garner your sympathy, but if you pray, pray that God’s will be done in my life.
Are you waiting? You have permission to move. Move into a sabbatical and practice retirement. Move to a different location and rightsize your environment. Move into a business of your own. Move into remote working. You are the architect of your future. Redesign your life, as you design a new house, and move in.
Pet sitting, house sitting, and long-term travel is not for everyone. If it appeals, you can learn how in my step-by-step class. It is smart to learn these strategies and to travel without breaking the bank, whenever you wish.
If you are inclined, I’d be delighted to partner with you in personal coaching as you shift your life: retire, rightsize or travel.
What I want for you is to be inspired and GO LIVE.
Originally Published on https://www.claimingfreedom.com
