Florida’s Retirement Handbook

PREFACE: “Let’s Break Something”

This is an exercise for the benefit of all the retirees that arrive in Florida from somewhere else. I have noticed the lost look on many of your faces and hope to assist you in this new chapter in your lives. In my art studio, I use the sound of breaking glass to keep my mind focused on the present. I will ask you to use this technique while reading the chapters of this retirement guide. The sound of shattering glass will not only bring you into the present, but it will also wake you up and get you ready for what you are about to read. For many people, the best chance you have for happiness will be to remain in the present.

As far as breaking stuff goes, I throw beer bottles into a steel trash can. This is loud as Hell and works great! But, you can break whatever you want, however you want. Remember, this book does not come with bandages. So, be careful!

CHAPTER 1

“Break Something Now!” Okay, first of all, you are in Florida right now! You are nowhere else! Welcome!!! Since reinventing yourself takes time, let’s try to zero in on your interests. I think the best way to do this is to try to do the opposite of whatever your career path used to be. Remember, we’re not trying to find you interests or hobbies for the next twenty years. We’re just trying to counter act the mental programming that went on in your previous life. Or, just bring you back to your natural center.

So, for instance, if you worked for an insurance company for several decades, you may want to make a list of 5 things that are new to you and pose a moderate risk. You can choose some new activities or allow me. The following is a random list of things you might try:

1) Go swimming in the ocean off shore where you can’t touch the bottom. Even better, take a few surfing lessons!

2) Go fishing “until” you learn to catch fish. Then, learn how to clean them. (BTW- Fishing rods are not the only way to catch fish. Consider cast nets and spear guns.) And, cleaning a fish is an art form and takes practice!

3) Go online and search “Craigslist” for a bicycle. (Preferably, a single-speed, beach cruiser.) Now, offer the seller ten dollars less than they are asking. Once you purchase this bike, take it home and oil the chain and tie a plastic milk crate to the handle bars with a bungee cord or rope. Go over the rest on this bike with your keen eye and some WD-40. (By working on that bike, you are creating ownership and an emotional attachment. Cowboys used to brush their horse………you will be oiling your bike!)

4) Choose one night a week to be ethnic food night. Go online and check out all the great recipes from around the world. Pick a different country each week. Also, make sure you buy the corresponding countries beverage to go along with the meal. If you do not cook or wish to learn, pick a new restaurant each week and try something new. If you do not drink beer or wine………..start! (It’s good for what ails ya!)

5) Stop avoiding the panhandlers! When one of these down trodden human beings comes up to you, look them in the eye, ask their name and give them a dollar. Make no moral judgments about them and don’t break your arm patting yourself on the back………It’s only a dollar! (God knows under different circumstances that could be you or I.)

Now, this particular list was tailored for someone who might need to get be reintroduced to a little excitement due a mundane and repetitious lifestyle prior to arriving here. Some of you may be the opposite. For those of you who had plenty of excitement, how about spending a year or two reading the world’s great literature or learning to appreciate art! (I can help you with that one.) Remember, what we are trying to do is find our center and stop mentally living in a different time. We are unraveling the corporate sweater that allowed us to put some “green’ in the bank , but ended up stealing our spontaneity and self-worth.

CHAPTER 2

“Break Something Now!” This chapter is about gratitude. Feeling grateful is the fountain from which peace and happiness flow.

When I was growing up outside Atlanta, Ga. many years ago and during the hottest part of the summer, myself and the other guys in my neighborhood would all pile in one of our parents cars. Then, we would shut the doors, start the car and turn on the heater. We would all sit in the boiling hot car until someone gave up. (One of the many mindless things I did growing up!) When we finally came pouring out of that hot car, the air around us felt cool. And, for about an hour or so after that, it felt like a nice Fall day outside instead of the heat wave we had been
experiencing. So, like most things in life, it’s all a matter of perspective and contrast. We feel the same appreciation when we finally recover from an illness or injury. This leads us to your next challenge!

I want you to pick out something several times a week and remove it from your life temporarily. By temporarily, I mean for at least one day. And, while you are doing so, I want you to imagine it is gone forever and you will have to adapt to its absence.

Once again here are a few suggestions chosen at random:

1) Do not use the hot water when you shower. Purposely leave it off!

2) During the summer, do not turn on the A/C for a day. During the winter, don’t turn on the heat.

3) Do not drive your car or bike to the store. Walk to the grocery store and carry a big bag of groceries all the way back home in your arms.

4) Pretend your refrigerator doesn’t work and drink your liquids at room temperature. Next, pretend the stove doesn’t work and eat some food right out of the can.

5) Rent or borrow a wheelchair for the day. Try to do everything you would normally do out of that wheelchair without using your legs.

6) Unplug your TV, computer and all other electronic devices for a day or two. Or, a year or two!

7) If you live in a rural area, go to the bathroom outside in the woods for an entire day.

8) Wear some really unattractive clothes to the grocery stores or mall. Make sure they don’t fit or match!

9) Try to panhandle some money. And, if you do not get any money, then you do not get to eat that day!

—- These are just a few ideas of things that may temporarily alter your life but remind you of how fortunate you truly are. And, they will give you compassion for your fellow man. Keeping our blessing in front of us, staring us right in the face, will help us remember and appreciate all the days we are given. Remaining in the present and dwelling in a state of gratefulness is a wonderful way to live one’s life.

CHAPTER 3

“Break Something Now!” Wow, that was loud! Good job! This chapter is going to show you how to feel better about yourself and your value as a member of the community. I want you to consider all the life experience you have attained. I am willing to bet that you have many talents and skill sets that other members of your community would love to take advantage of. So, in this chapter, I want you to list five ways you can give of your time and energy to individuals or groups in your local area. There is always a great need for mentors, tutors, handymen, volunteers and so on. In addition, the food pantries and soup kitchens these days need LOTS of help! Checkout “Craigslist” also. Look under “Items Wanted”. You will see where many impoverished people are trying to locate basic items to make it through another day. These items usually are simple necessities and could be located and dropped off to these people with little effort. But, it may change their living condition tremendously! Again, don’t break your arm patting yourself on the back! We are supposed to be doing this for each other….. We are not supposed to be sitting around “surfing the internet” or watching TV searching for the things we don’t already possess. Try to avoid telling everyone about your philanthropic endeavors. We are not going to cash in our chips down here. No one needs to know what you are doing! Boasting about your deeds will erase all good will, karma, mojo, or whatever term you would like to call it. Simply hold this knowledge inside and it will become your inner strength and will affect how you think and how you feel each day. This warm feeling will get you out of bed each day and constantly remind you of yourself worth along with those you have helped. And, one day there Will be a pay-off for all you have done for the people around you. But, not down here…………..that’s just how it is!

Best of luck,

JL Thompson