Section 10
There will be a number of readers who have had
a complete paradigm-shift regarding retirement; those that had branded it as an
inevitability, a winding-down. Our argument, we hope, has been well-researched
and has not relied upon empty language. Our aim, as stated, has not been to
pump you up with short lived optimism and then rush you out the door,
so-to-speak.
It should seem like a solid fact now that retirement is not what it once was; we have more freedom than anyone who has
come before us.
It is our hope that we have inspired in you
some openness, bravery and bluntness over this journey; or at least
spelled out the dangers of living without them.
And if you need a final push, here it is:
Go out
there and surprise us. Start something now. Do the thing you were always built for.
Go out there and live, because only you
set the rules.
Section
11 Aging and Longevity
50 Ways to Live Longer
In its March 2017
bulletin, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP.org/Bulletin) presented
an e-zine version of 50 suggestions for a longer life (http://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2017/50-ways-to-live-longer.html)
similar to its printed version that same month, which we quote, then summarize here:
Consider extra vitamin D. Check with your doctor.
Cut back on pain pills. Pain pills raise your risk of dying.
Please go to bed. Get at least 6 hours.
But don't always go right to sleep. Sex is healthful, too.
Get (or stay) hitched. Marriage is physically good for your heart.
Ripeness matters. Fully ripened fruit are more nutritious.
Say yes to that extra cup. Of coffee, that is.
Frozen is fine. Freezing
preserves nutrients.
Go green. Green tea, many
cups a day.
Don't sweeten with sugar. It harms your cholesterol levels.
Eat whole grains. Three or more servings per day.
Spice it up. Hot peppers
help!
Drink whole milk. Fat helps prevent diabetes.
Just add water. Stay hydrated
to fight cancer and reduce weight.
Be food safe. Food poisoning
can kill. Clean and cook.
Eat less. Stop when 80%
full.
End the day’s eating at 9 p.m. For your heart’s health.
Eat your veggies. Less meat is better for you.
Eat like the Greeks. Mediterranean: fruits, veggies, olive oil, fish, nuts.
Or live like the Amish. Hard work, little alcohol or tobacco, strong family.
Save your pennies. The rich tend to live healthier lives.
Or move to one of these states. With Seventh Day Adventist vegetarians.
Ponder a ponderosa. View awesome views.
Go nuts. Awesomely good
for you.
Find your purpose. Compelling goals can add seven years.
Embrace your faith. Faith adds years, too.
Vacation… or else. The statistics are staggering: take a break!
Consider mountain life. Less oxygen means stronger breathing?
Get a friend with four legs. Dogs are life-preservers.
Keep watching LOL cat videos. Laughter is wonderful medicine.
Get social. Loneliness is toxic. Get face-to-face friends
for health.
Watch your grandkids. Caregiving adds purpose and exercise.
Try to stay out of the hospital. Medical mistakes are common.
Monitor yourself. If it is odd, get it checked.
Visit the hardware store. Get monitors for fire and CO2, check radon.
You need to read. Books are best!
Toss that rug. Before that
throw rug throws you.
Practice home fire drills. Fires spread with amazing speed. Practice.
Find a woman doctor. Apparently, they stick to guidelines and communicate better.
Make peace with family. Chronic familial stress is a killer. Forgive.
Take the stairs – every day. Good for body and for brain.
Beware the high-tech dash. Don’t drive distractedly.
And drive less. Older drivers
tend to be worse drivers, alas.
Better yet, walk. Wonderful exercise and convenient.
Just not in the street. Watch your step!
And go a little faster. Brisk: a meter (or a yard) per second or faster.
Get fidgety. Sit less, for
shorter periods.
Read the AARP Bulletin. And other publications with health information.
Appendix
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About the Authors
Petero Wamala holds a Master of Arts degree in
social planning from Makerere University. He Is a certified retirement plan specialist,
and a certified NLP master practitioner. He is also a certified 2young2retire facilitator.
A businessman, Petero is founder and Director of Mopetro, Ltd. in Uganda.www.mopetroltd.com.
He lives in Kampala with his wife, Loy, and son Isaiah.
Douglas Winslow Cooper holds a Ph.D. degree in
engineering from Harvard University. He retired after three decades of work in
the environmental sciences fields and now is a writer, editor, and writing
partner through www.WriteYourBookWithMe.com.
Acknowledgements
I wish to acknowledge my dear wife Loy, for all
her loving support in my life, including writing this small book. My cheerful seven-year-old
son Isaiah was ever with me in my study, cheering me on!!
Special thanks are due to my friend and
trainer, Michael Beale of Milton Keynes in the UK. Without him there would have
been no inspiration.
My NLP trainers, Francois Van Resenberg of
Centurion, South Africa, Anthony Beardsell of UK, Sue Knight of France, I thank
you all. Terry Elston of NLP World, UK, thanks you.
Finally, without the financial backing of
Mopetro, Ltd., www.mopetroltd.com, this book would not exist.
Petero Wamala
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