The death of a powerful, wealthy figure like Senator Edward Kennedy causes us to revisit the fact that, with all his wealth and power, he could not cheat the grim reaper. Others will do a better job than I could, or would, of appreciating Kennedy’s life – I didn't agree with much of what he stood for. So be it; I don’t choose to speak ill of the dead.
Rather, I choose at this moment to suggest we all confront our own mortality; recognize that any day could be our last and live accordingly. Is there a trip you dearly want to take, or an item you’ve been putting off buying? Don’t delay, do it today. Putting things off to the future only makes sense for the young, and most of COTTonLINE’s readers are not, I fear, as young as they'd like to be.
In retirement, you need to frontload your travel into the early years when you have the health to be able to do it. Seriously, don’t put off travel hoping gasoline prices will drop or cruise deals will get better. Those things may happen, but will you be healthy enough to take advantage of them?
You likely will have plenty of time later to sit around moldering in front of a TV or computer monitor. Every day you are a day closer to the time when all you’ll be able to do is sit. When that sad day arrives, don’t be full of regrets, of “might have dones.” Instead be the person sitting there with a head full of memories of places you’ve gone, things you’ve done, entertainments you’ve seen, meals you’ve eaten, wines you’ve drunk, great cars you’ve owned…you get the picture.
Let your goal be “No Regrets.” You probably won’t achieve it completely, but give it a try.
