Nov

18

Working Retirement

Filed Under Philosophy | Leave a Comment

I’m often asked, “when do you want to retire?”. In my teenage years I used to want to retire by 30. I used to think that once I had enough money, I would stop working, and would simply play all day.

However, now that I’m 30 and have learned a (little) bit more about life, I’ve learned there is a correlation between how long you have meaningful work and how long you live, and “retirement” really means the ability to choose the work you desire – to own your own time at any moment in time.

Since I think it is good if we can all live long lives so that we may accumulate as much wisdom as possible, it is good to keep working until we die.  However, it is also within our power to be retired at any given moment.

Strive to live in the paradox of a working retirement, balancing work with play in every moment.

The best work is selfless, and serves others.

The best play is selfish, and serves yourself.

Both are necessary, in balance and harmony for fulfillment.