Even though I don’t know where this journey is leading me, I can at least live each day to the fullest. I titled this, “time to play” because I decided that it’s time to spend more time engaged in fun, meaningful activities as much as I can. For example, I love sports. On Monday, I started the first of my 12 events at the North Carolina Senior Games with Mixed Doubles Bowling with my wife Rebecca. Even though we came in third place (out of three teams), we bowled much better than we did last year! And the last time we bowled was this time last year, so we were definitely happy! The best part of the experience was that we had a great time cheering on the other competitors! One of the guys we bowled against had his best 3-game bowling series ever! But the playing didn’t stop there…
On Sunday, I played 2 hours of pickleball, had a USTA doubles league match on Monday, played another 1.5 hours of pickleball on Wednesday, another USTA doubles league match on Thursday, and 2.5 hours of pickleball today (Friday). Tuesday was a day of rest, for sure. And this is all on top of 20-60 minutes of workouts when I get up in the morning. It’s been great because I’ve been able to meet some really great people and make some great connections! However, I’ll need to rest my body up on Saturday (maybe by walking 9 holes of golf) because I have more Senior Games events and another USTA league match next week.
One of the things I didn’t mention is how supportive Rebecca has been throughout this journey. She comes with me to each doctor’s appointment for my shots and for medical updates, just to make sure I’m taking the steps to be around for a while. And now, she’s very supportive in me taking the time to play and especially tolerant as I accumulate more sporting equipment. I’m also going to give a shout-out to our Financial Advisor, Kelly Weaver, for sending me the book, “The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness” by Morgan Housel. What I learned most from the book is this quote in Chapter 7 (slightly modified):
“The freedom to create a life that matters.
A life that allows you to
do what you want,
when you want,
with whom you want,
where you want,
for as long as you want.”
I want to be able to LIVE in my 60’s, not ponder my future. It’s time to engage in activities that lifts my spirit.
Time to play!
Thank you for sharing your fun events. I am going to take your advice even more. I began to engage in fun activities this year. If I get invited to a college sporting event, I go. I used to say no, but why, I wondered. Not anymore. 🙂 It’s fun time now.
Hi Claudia. I like your way of thinking! It’s good to hear that you’re engaging in more fun activities this year! It’s definitely fun time now!