Can you `literally’ dig it?
I mean with spade, trowel or brush in hand.
I have had the opportunity to talk with a number of retired or soon to be retired people about what they are doing now that they are retired or what they think they will be doing after they retire.
The responses are all over the place; from doing nothing to finally completing that educational degree. Most people say they want to get fit, spend more time with family or travel. But after they finally retire, many tell me they are dissatisfied. They have found themselves without a challenge, with a diminishing social structure and very little fulfillment.
Here’s a suggestion DIG! I mean that. One of my special interests is archeology. I really love it. I enjoy learning about past cultures, civilizations, how they lived, their impact on us and the list goes on and on. I have had the opportunity to travel to Australia, Bangkok, Italy, Turkey, Greece, numerous Greek islands, France, England and Central America. Having visited these places, viewed their relics and tried to understand their culture I wanted to experience even more. I have not done one of the most important aspects of archeology and that is to participate in a ‘Dig’. You might say that’s on my “bucket list.”
Although the majority of these digs are done by college students an increasing number allow seniors to contribute and work the dig. I won’t lie to you; it does require sweat labor and a commitment of time. And sometimes you have to pony
up some money for that opportunity. But, think of the challenge, the results, the opportunity to contribute to others for the future, and to learn something new.
I have recently been in conversation with Richard Cook, who has been on multiple digs and is in the process of writing a book about his experiences. Incidentally he was 66 when he volunteered for his first dig and for the last 6 seasons he has
been excavating as a member of a professional team in Egypt.
My company, Third Wind, can assist you in designing and executing your retirement plan. We can help you discover interesting and exciting adventures for your retirement years.
*** Bill Ronay is President of Third Wind, a retirement resource network that provides personalized, comprehensive information, guidance and resources to help people make a successful transition into retirement. Third Wind uses a holistic approach to help adults facing retirement discover new opportunities and purpose as they make the transition into the third phase of life; their Third Wind.
If you have questions about planning your retirement, contact Bill at 502 895-3693 or go to mythirdwind.com for more information.
