As I watched the display of fireworks popping off from my neighbors’ yards and again on TV during the Macy’s Fireworks Celebration, I couldn’t help but wonder what it really means for hundreds of thousands of people of the “free world.” Particularly, people my age, the over 50 population. Are we living the life we dreamed of now that we’re 50 plus? I’ll be the first to admit that what I envisioned myself doing at the age of 56 is not what I’m doing now. That’s not necessarily a bad thing! At one point, a few years ago, I thought life dealt me a bad hand. I had reached the age of 50 and had all these plans for my life before and after retirement. I had it all planned, at least that’s what I thought! I invested in my future by staying, working, and growing in a company whose benefits outweighed the rate of salary increases. I worked hard for it! Fought for it! Sacrificed for it! After finally reaching the age of retirement, my healthcare and other benefits were dissolved in a bankruptcy filed by the municipality. I lost my healthcare and all the benefits my 30 years of service would have afforded me. It was also mandated by the courts that I pay back a sizable portion of my retirement income, as were hundreds of others. I was angry, hurt, and felt robbed. Especially since there are laws and statutes in place to protect government pensions that was not enforced. It was just another reminder of how each time I reached a milestone, the rules would change. I remember in grade school of always wanting to play an instrument. One day I was very excited to select my instrument of choice for my new music class, a clarinet. But before the lessons began, the class was cancelled due to budget cuts. Similarly, in high school, I signed up to play tennis for my extracurricular activity and it too, was cancelled after our first practice.
My point. Independence Day, the 4th of July is a day to celebrate our freedom to live life as we choose as long as we don’t do anything illegal, or violate the rights of others. Yes, the Declaration of Independence gives us the inalienable right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Relatively speaking, happiness can be a number of things we find throughout daily living, like spending quality time with our loved ones, reading a book, eating your favorite food, enjoying the outdoors, etc. However, I’m speaking of the kind of happiness you find when you’re living the life you were created to live. How many of us are actually “living” that life, or at least pursuing that life? Are you living on purpose or just taking whatever life hands you. And, I’m not referring to the storms that come to get our attention. The storms that God uses to activate something in our lives. I’m referring to that “thing” that you’ve been holding on to that keeps pulling at your heart strings to do, but you ignore it or make excuses as to why you can’t. I’m here to tell you, you can! I’m not just talking the talk, I’m walking the walk!
I am walking in my season of #promise. I have and continue to #persevere by God’s grace! I am writing this post to help you walk in your due #season. We are all seasoned and at the prime of our lives being age 50 plus. We have endured and gone through! This is the very thing God wants to use as a testament to His love and faithfulness. Your story is your legacy! Your gift to the world!
Connect with me at #[email protected] so that I can help you get started on your journey to true freedom…the pursuit of happiness!!!
Blessings,
Kimberly Richardson, Founder, 50plusshadesofus.com
