A friend told me the other day that he looked up to me as a role model for aging well. Gee…thanks. That is not what I am aiming for, but it’s better than being an example of what not to do.
He was being sincere and speaking from the heart. He mentioned how I live my life, how I’m handling retirement and the choices I’ve made.
The truth is, I’m touched and flattered.
My way of life is not for everyone. In fact, it’s not even for my friend, whose lifestyle is far different from mine. Yet, we do share similar core principles, values and traits.
I admire him for many of the choices he’s made – even when I don’t always choose the same path.
When I was a younger man, I wanted to be admired for my intellect, my accomplishments, my wealth, my physique, my coolness, my accomplishments, etc.
Sometime after I crossed into my 40s, I wanted to be admired as a good man, a kind man and someone who can be counted on.
Now that I’m 56 and a widower, for the most part, I don’t care what other people think of me at all. I know who and what I am. I’m completely comfortable knowing that one day, all thoughts of me will disappear. And until then, most people aren’t thinking of me at all anyway.
