Hi all SHC members
Yes, I’ve been reading Twenty Good Summers by Martin Hawes and it’s basically a book about financial planning and retirement (lifestyle change). But it’s also a book that addresses the needs and concerns of those reaching their 50s. We often come to realise that we need to radically make a change in our lives when we come to the milestone ages of 40, 50 or 60. For me, it’s coming to 60, the BIG SIX ZERO! So, technically, I only have ten good summers left… a sobering and humbling thought. But take heart, there is more to it then just sitting and moping and doing nothing. One way to make a difference in our lives is through our SHC participation and sharing. I thank our founder and members for their unstinting support and friendship.
Let me just share the final paragraphs of Martin’s book:
"There is still time to do all the things you have always wanted ‘if you act firmly and decisively. There is not time for wishing, waiting and hoping though. You have to cut to the chase and start living the life you have always wanted.
If you are not going to have some good summers now, when are you going to have them? This is a serious question – you are never going to be fitter or more capable than you are now; you are never going to be in a better position to enjoy your life than you are now; you will never enjoy your time as much as you will now. If your life is not what you want it to be, change it. This may mean doing something quite radical, something that may raise the eyebrows of oyour family and friends. But it is your life – the only one you are likely to have in this world at least – so get on with doing what you want. If there was ever a time to do the things you have always wanted to do, this is it. It’s time to make every summer count."
Kenneth,
I see two summers, adopted by many Silverhairs.
1. When I retire, I am going to take a holiday first, maybe a cruise with my wife. Then I shall think about what I want to do. There are plenty of things to do, when I retire.
2. I better do something about my retirement. Don’t know if I have the money to live through 70. Or not sure if I can still walk at 65. But, I have got so many things to worry about now. I still have got a job. Don’t worry, I have enough for retirement. I think. And, then, I am sure I can walk when I am 65.
Many of us are still busy with what we are doing now.
Terence Seah
Hi Kenneth,
You said “….technically, I only have ten good summers left…….”
Whoever this technician is, he must be very the nasi lemak alamak, to say this. Hungchen pai so for a small fee, I’ll break his sign-board for you, then you’ll hv no worry soaking in another 50 year’s of summer heat.
Martin says in his book “You have to cut to the chase and start living the life you have always wanted. If you are not going to have some good summers now, when are you going to have them? This may mean doing something quite radical, something that may raise the eyebrows….so get on with doing what you want..”
Brave Martin, I like him. With the winter over, I am back from hibernation, brimming with more gusto and thanks to my friends out there for waking me up.
tim
Tim has awoken from winter straight into summer. Whatever happened to spring?
Isn’t it nice to have him back and spicing up our forum? Tim, no more winter until 20 summers from now.
And Kenneth, I went to the library straight after work today and grabbed hold of the book. I am eagerly waiting to savour the nuggets of wisdom within.
I have just finished these 2 books :-
a) Painting the walls red – the unhibited woman’s guide to a fabulous life after 40
b) Old is not a four-letter word – a midlife guide
And am half way through :-
a) On women turning 50 – celebrating mid-life discoveries (eh, i not turning 50 yet ah, but it is good to be prepared) :)
Haha, the bounce of the first light of spring was so good that I kena sprung straight into summer to rejoice with Joy and my fellow SHCians. Ta jia hao ma? Ji de yao fa cai geng yao sheng ti jian kang hor. Wernberde wernberde yorneh rrrryunger (Terence, in India, can help translate the latter?)
Yes, I am with Joy that savouring nuggets will bring us wisdom. For living proof, look no further than nobird gwan and his selling-like-hotcakes madnuggets which has brought him more than wealth.
We’re old only if we think we are. Try this : throw food into a pond with a century old tortoise and a young one. Out of 10 throws, you can be sure that the oldie beats the yuppie in at least 5. Has anyone heard from a tortoise that it admits it’s old? Even a centenarian is always hungry and raring to go.
So on the D&D nite, do pls put on yr danz shoes (better, cha kiak for the noise)and let yr hair down, yes shave yr hair, shed yr grey and turn the nite into day. Let’s play.
tim
Hi Kenneth
Share with you the WHEELS of LIFE.
———————————-
Nobody knows how many summers left. Just feel sunny everyday. As Martin put it, “doing something quite radical, something that may raise the eyebrows of your family and friends – so get on with doing what you want.
Wheels of life is a fact but not Wheels of fortune – click http://img242.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wheeloflifelv5.png to see the pic.
Quote from an unknown:
“Getting older has its drawbacks, but I guess there aren’t too many good alternatives to getting older.
Whenever you see a gathering of seniors, it is an even bet they are talking about everything that is wrong with them. You know, the usual…..memory, urinary problems, knees, eyesight, etc., etc.
Well, I am a senior and I absolutely refuse to discuss these issues with everyone else. If I have a problem, I find a solution. It is not always the solution that I like, but I handle it the best way I know and I don’t discuss it with every person I see on the street that is past 62.
No sir!
With this in mind, I bought myself a new scooter. I wanted something that was easy on gas and could zip me to the store and about town.
This seems to meet my EVERY need.”
Click http://img219.imageshack.us/my.php?image=scooterfc4.png to see the pic.
Have a Summer Holidays! Woo…ooo.woo…
Cheers
Rene
Rene, you cheer us up…….thanks !
Rene
You are riding a scooter, Tim is the one on the trike and I’m the one driving the SUV heading towards the wheelchair, that’s 60… “40” is a chair, “50” a rocking chair and the figure 6 in 60 looks like a wheelchair!
Hahaha!
Hey, I got a casino website from the link you gave… naughty, naughty!!
Hahaha!
Tim, since you are charged, I wanna see you wear cha kiak, blow a harmonica and juggling 2 eggs in the air for the D&D most spectacular item of the nite ya.
Kenneth,the pop-up from the link recognise investor only. I don’t get it. Smart link right! hee..hee…
Fellow SHCians reading, pls be the witnesses…..if the day comes that Kenneth is tied to a wheelchair (he never needs one and to force him to sit tight on it isnt easy so….)tim hereby promises to use his trike to pull his wheelchair & take him to see the world. Dunno who Kenneth is but think he & tim drink the same cup of tea.
2day is wednesday so in time to punt on 4050, 5060, 4060, 4006, 5004, 4560…..wow so many winning combinations, sure bankrupt spore pools liao.
Aiyah, Rene, you got the verbs all wrong & see tim no up lah……shd be blow 2 eggs, wear a harmonica and juggling 2 cha kiaks in the air. Benson, cameras ready?
(Scroll up to see what this topic is in case Terence gets moody and starts closing shop here too. Heng ah, 20 summers, funky stuff so no breach hor).
Seriously, we can explore & talk the rarefied sublime in this forum but realistically, how many can understand & partake in it? However, if someone does pose an issue which needs a solution or some views, I am sure, SHCians are ready to render assistance most profusely. Otherwise, why not unwind with some tongue-in-cheeks so long as we can accept that if we give then we shd also take.
tim
Hi Tim, Rene, Joy and, of course, Terence
I posted Twenty Summers because I was in one of my serious moods and just wanted to share a thought, although some may consider it too contemplative, even depressing.
However, we got our “char kiak” guy shaking out of his hibernation and practically turning the whole topic around on its head.
Not that I’m annoyed or (as the Japanese government described Princess Masako’s depression) Mild Adjustment Disorder (MAD) haha! But actually I’m quite pleased by the turnout… if only there were more SHCs to give their personal takes on the issue.
By the way, there is already someone in Chinatown doing the same act as Ah Liu with char kiak, harmonica and two eggs. Not so original. Maybe should try with three eggs and choreography by SHC line dance group.
Kenneth
Hi Kenneth,
There’s depth in yr 1st posting, tho a tinge of sadness shows when you limit yrself to another 10 summers. So ah liu thot to himself, this is a good but sad guy in a pensive mood so why not cheer him up, esp when he has encouraged all to do what we hv wanted to do? The rest is history.
Personally, I find that posting engaging and thot provoking. But is the majority of us ready to cut in for an incisive discussion? If the overwhelming responses to threads like, talentime, pot-luck & D&D is anythg to go by, then we must conclude with not an iota of doubt that most of us like to have some fun, enjoy a little more, nvm what tomorrow beholds.
I believe we do hv the people amidst us, ready and willing to come out in droves shd we read of someone who needs help. Or a workable and pragmatic idea which will take SHC to higher grounds.
(Btw, that chinatown ah pek is this ah pek’s tudi and since the D&D is is for ah peks to entertain ah peks, this ah pek is negotiating with that ah pek to perform for free.)
Btw, Ah pek don’t stationed in Chinatown only hor. He zips around the island with his cha kiak although he may not have earn enough to afford a scooter. I hope he is happy with what he is doing. At least, he choses to learn a skill and not sitting at home staring at the four walls. Not easy, multi-tasking 3 actions at the beat of his own music. Super than my line dance ok! Wanna pick up his memory skill.