Master seniors

This chapter defines the requirements to become a master senior and the benefits that accrue as a result of attaining that status. 

Many people are programmed to reach retirement, but nothing beyond. They look back to goals already accomplished, but not ahead to new ones. Master seniors accept responsibility for their life experience and make decisions that lead to their fulfillment and satisfaction. They re not mired down in the past but look forward to the future with eagerness and anticipation. 

A mission or purpose for living provides direction at any age. Even a small one can provide focus, dissipate much uncertainty, and make each day an upbeat experience. All of this is just as important after retirement as before, and is a necessity to become a master senior. Why is this true ... 

Without a work career to fall back on, retirement brings so much freedom that many do not know how to deal with it effectively. Without a purpose and a challenge, they are apt to drift, feel unimportant, and wind up negative and bitter. The message is clear. Few people can become master seniors without something to challenge them. 

Attitude is simply the way you view things. If you want to see the beautiful and humorous side of life, you can focus on these positive factors, and that is primarily what you ll see. If you want to see the unpleasant side, all you need do is let your mind dwell on the negative aspects. This is true all through life, but accentuating the positive is immeasurably more important as you approach retirement. To be negative then can be disastrous. Master seniors maintain a positive outlook. 

Every phase of life should have special goals, and this includes retirement. It is a serious mistake to retire without certain self-imposed standards. Many lose pride because they don t have serious goal replacements. Their sole aim is to let down, which in itself does not provide the motivation that converts to pride. They don t know how to measure themselves as retirees, and thus many deteriorate. Assuming this is true, consider the following standards for becoming a master senior. 

Indicate whether you agree with the following standards. Write any changes you want to make under Comments in the left margin. Keep in mind you are establishing standards that you wish to reach yourself. You need not reach all standards to earn the title Master Senior it is simply something personal between you and what you hope to make of your retirement years. 

Standard 1 To become a Master Senior, you should strive to go as far as possible with the early phases of retirement and make the most of each stage. In doing this, endeavor to compensate for any physical loss through greater determination and mental effort. 

Standard 2 To be called a Master Senior, you must live with style. In this case, style means an individual has retained visible personal pride, maintained personal dignity, and been involved in some form of social or group activity. 

Standard 6 This person must have handled one or more setbacks gracefully and with strength. Retirement years are not always easy. Serious health problems are common. There is always the risk of losing a partner. There can be a major geographical relocation or an agonizing problem with children. Master Seniors handle such problems without dragging others down. They bounce back and earn their stripes by facing difficulties with style. 

Standard 9 To become a Master Senior, you must make a major effort not only to maintain your best possible state of health, but also to resist complaining about aches and pains. This often means experiencing discomfort in silence without becoming negative. It means controlling diet, exercising, and avoiding excessive medication. 

Standard 10 This standard requires you to remain a positive force within the community as long as possible. You must continue to have an impact on others through speaking up and taking action when appropriate. Others must sense your presence. In certain situations, it may mean becoming a matriarch or patriarch within a family circle. Master Seniors are strong personalities. 

To demonstrate personal pride—and be admired by relatives, friends, and strangers—is to become a Master Senior. What a challenge If you talk with those who have met the challenge and made the successful journey into retirement, you hear expressions such as these ... 

If you stay in charge and have some luck with your health, you can become a Master Senior. Friends and family may not use this term, but you will see the admiration and respect in their eyes. You will realize that you have met your retirement standards and that your life has been a success. 

You may want to carry the following message with you. It can be a reminder to live up to the Master Senior standards presented in this book. Good luck ... 

It may take time and effort, but by meeting certain self-imposed standards, you can earn the right to be called a Master Senior. 

Master Seniors make the most of retirement regardless of their special circumstances. 

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