Tag: Retirement Pondering Point

Derek Sivers…interesting guy with an interesting question for retirees

Derek-Sivers-Word-Cloud what's worth doing

What’s worth doing?

I’ve posted about Derek Sivers on my other blog, but a number of his messages speak to us folks in this ‘next chapter’.

 

Julia Cameron: Creativity does not have to be high art

In her book Walking in This World, Julia Cameron writes of the value of doing “something that delights you for no apparent reason.”

Other highlights from her The Artist’s Way post:

  • “Sometimes we get a lot further in our art and in our lives when we let ourselves do a little of what comes easily and naturally.”
  • “Very often a little friendly and easy art can send us back up those other slithery slopes with a bit more humor and optimism.”
  • “This is not to say you have to “give up” high art. Instead, I am saying to try “Hi, Art!” like you are waving to someone friendly out the window of your pickup truck.”

Here’s a recent example of my doing “something that delighted me for no apparent reason”.

** Question: When is the last time you just shrugged and said to yourself, “Why not?”. **

Thought for the Day from The Art of Innovation

A link to an excerpt from the book The Art of Innovation

Other thoughts on breaking rules…

Breaking the Rules: An Innovation Tool

The Rules to Breaking the Rules [Fast Company]

Photo-a-Day 7: End Your Day With Laughter

boy laughing with book on his knee
Especially if it’s been ‘one of those days’.

The other night in bed, I read a news clipping [yes, on real newsprint!] about decluttering.

Good info and a relevant story.

But I foolishly scanned the flip side–a depressing rundown of Russia’s increasing influence in American politics.

When I finished, I turned out the light and settled in under the covers.

My eyes closed…and opened.

I was churning, unsettled.

I knew what I had to do.

Flick on the light and read from Jim Gaffigan’s book, Food: A Love Story.

Excerpt:

“Eating fries without salt feels like a sacrifice. What am I, a pioneer? When I have to eat unsalted fries, I often feel like I should be a contestant on Survivor, or something.”

Okay, now I was ready to sleep.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!

Retirement Pondering Point: Honor your creative surges…

I have two of Jill Badonsky’s books: The Awe-manac and The Muse Is In

Until tonight, I had not opened this newsletter. My wife had forwarded it to me the same month I left my job almost two years ago. Just one of those emails that slipped by.
I hope the quote nudges my fellow retirees forward in your creative pursuits. [Note: I posted this in my other blog –the mark of a good quote.]

jill badonsky quote with background

If you believe it’s time to give that creative calling inside of you a shot, honor it in some really small way today.

Start by asking “What do I love about my creative passion?” and “What one really small thing I can do to get started?”

Just asking these questions, even without having an answer, will begin to shift your energy toward the thoughts and actions that make it easier to get to your passion.

Once you light that fire, you will shine so brightly, there’s a chance one or two souls will stop their bickering and be inspired to do the same–you will be a catalyst of creative passion. — Jill Badonsky

Retirement Pondering Points: On self-deception and Dairy Queen

retirement pondering barbary-ape

  1. I think the higher powers of nutrition should give us a few ‘brownie’ [unfortunate word choice] points for at least sauntering by and pricing the rainbow chard, even if the ultimate destination is the ice cream section.
  2. We have flights [samplers] for wine, flights for beer, why not flights of Dairy Queen Blizzards?