A New Beginning

Is it time to start a new beginning?  We are starting a new decade – 2020.  And, to me it seems evident that it is time for me at eighty-four and a half years to begin thinking of what I will do and accomplish in the remaining years of my life.
 
To begin, I left my old life behind in Indiana, and move lock, stock, wife, and  computer files to Texas.  This move, by itself, was a significant change in my existence along with the climate and home environment, but it was even more of a change in my lifestyle.  The relaxed and casual style of living here in Texas takes some adjustment.  The people are outwardly very friendly, but that applies primarily to  terra-firma, but is not evident on the highways and streets.  These folks are in a constant state of hurry-up on the roads.  And, in their pick-up trucks, they are a sight to behold and a challenge to beware of. 
 
The historical significance of Texas is evident everywhere.  This is a state deeply proud of its inheritance.  The American and Texas Flags are prominently and proudly displayed everywhere.  This not only occurs on holidays, but is evident year ‘round.  These folks are proud of their history and like to show it.  And, any discussion of disturbing the sanctity of a place like the Alamo is a kin to starting a war. 
 
Back to my original thought process.  How does someone at my tender age of the mid-eighties make the adjustment and keep a significant stance of some importance in their lives?  I have come to the realization, you don’t do it by ignoring your surroundings and what’s going on in the community.  I suppose it is a part of my genes to want to take a part and have a say.  Voting has been and continues to be an essential part of my life.  It is difficult for me to understand why anyone who values their lifestyle would ignore the essential and basic value of their ballot.  It is difficult, in my estimation, to want to complain about  or compliment leaders by ignoring the first Tuesday in November.
 
There is not time left, nor is there a need to dismiss a lifetime of learning to start over.  A lesson I have taught myself is history has a way of repeating itself on a regular basis.  All anyone has to do is to stay actively alert and be patient.  The past will catch up with you, and more than likely, you have been there before.  Remembering is an essential part of growing older.  Keeping an active mind is essential to continuing the future growth pattern.
 
Keeping a sense of humor pays dividends.  The world seems to want to continue drawing attention to calamity at every turn.  There is no need to try to stem the tide of adverse news – it seems to pop-up at every juncture.  So, it is hard to ignore, but you can smile and know this too will soon pass, as it always seems to do. Even the worse days have their sunsets, and the moon and stars seem shine as brilliant as before, I know this to be true because I have taken notice of it for years.
 
Minding ones physical and mental needs plays an important role in the future, as well.  It pays dividends to listen to those who have provided the necessary information, lessons and medications to keep you active and alive through the years.  They are there as helpful and useful resources to be relied upon and to stimulate your continued growth with healthful advice and action.  I know personally that I would not have lived as long and well as I have without their  constant nagging and assurance of success. 
 
It helps significantly if you have planned ahead financially to maintain the where with all that is needed to assure the later years of life.  Insurance can certainly go a long way toward that sound investment necessary in future years.  The interesting thing to me is how easy it is to take those money steps at the early age, and let the wealth continue at a normal rate of growth until needed.  There never seems to be as much as you desire, but it sure helps knowing that there is an investment that will pay dividends when needed.
 
To sum up the purpose of this article, it is not necessary to start over – just continue an active pattern of life that has held you in good stead through the earlier years of a lifetime.  No matter what time is left, or the changes that will occur, know lessons earned and learned are there for the taking…then do so! You have lived a lifetime – keep on truckin’, as they like to say here in Texas!
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This article was written by Norm Wilkens 

Norm Wilkens is a nationally recognized speaker and writer, Norman Wilkens has traveled to forty-seven of the fifty states speaking on topics of marketing, advertising and public relations. His most noteworthy subjects include: Healthcare Marketing; Multi-generational travel and  Baby Boomers - their contribution to society and economics. He is presently serving as Midwestern Contributor to California’s AAA WESTWAYS Magazine.

Among Wilkens’ current activities are the Butler University Alumni Board of Directors; Butler’s Central Indiana Alumni Chapter Board; Chairman of the Board of Visitors for the new Communication College of Butler; Board of Directors of Ruth Lilly Educational Foundation; Salvation Army of Indiana Advisory Board and as an Elder at Second Presbyterian Church of Indiana.