Retiring and Rewiring at the Opera

New York is a magical place. Yesterday afternoon we experienced some of that magic at a Metropolitan Opera Guild event.This event was sponsored by the Adult Learning and Community Engagement team headed up by Director, Dottie Allen. We got to watch recent retiree and opera legend, Frederica Von Stade conduct a master class. Did we say retiree? Yes, she officially retired, but continues to use her voice in a variety of ways...still singing, teaching, being an ambassador for the world of Opera. There can be no better person representing the art. Flicka, as she likes to be called, is kind, supportive, enthusiastic, and a sparkplug that ignites audiences. She is rewiring her talent and interest by expanding her opera and musical horizons. The students she helped were amazing. So much talent and so much commitment.

We're new to opera. Jeri started with Opera Boot Camp and Rick will be taking the course in the fall. We are learning a new vocabulary, history, meeting new people, and finding joy that we never could have imagined in an art form we didn't know much about. We really are rewiring our tastes and expanding our horizons. It is giving us so much driver fulfillment...continuous learning, making new connections with others, feeling energized, developing new friendships. It is amazing how many people we've met who are retiring and rewiring to the world of opera.

Opera sounds expensive. And it could be if all you did was buy the best seats at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center. But how about trying opera out by going to a high definition live performance at a movie theater, opting for a high balcony seat and bringing binoculars, buying or downloading a CD, or going to an opera related lecture. You can make it expensive or customize it to fit your budget. The Metropolitan Opera Guild is there to help you get started on the journey. Take the first step. You will be glad you did.

Volunteering is Ageless: Getting Started

Last week we posted a blog about the power of being a Volunteer. Since then, we have had a tremendous number of inquiries asking about the best way to get started. We highly recommend starting out by volunteering on the local level. It is a way to get your feet wet, so to speak, REWIRE your thinking about the future, and better yet test market what kind of volunteer opportunity would be best for you. Some of the requests we had were for local level resources. Here are some tips on getting started:
*Check out the local charities in your area for opportunities.
*Try VolunteerMatch.com.
*See what local churches and synagogues are doing.
*Visit your local government website for neighborhood projects.

We live and work in New York City, and one of our favorite volunteer organizations is Health Advocates for Older People (Hafop.org). They are are partnering with the Volunteer Referral Center and representatives of several non-profit agencies to give potential volunteers information on getting started.

A panel of volunteer experts will be giving out information about a variety of opportunities and updating the audience on how to become engaged with a volunteer effort. Here is the info:
When: Thursday, May 3rd, 2012
Where: The Church of the Transfiguration, One East 29th Street, NYC
Time: 2-4pm. Light refreshments will be served.
RSVP or for further information: 212-889-4805.

Don't take our word for it. Find out for yourself how volunteering can change your life for the better as you help change the lives of others. Go for it!

A Secret to a Long and Happy Life!

What if I told you that I can give you one word that will lead to improving and extending your life and it won't cost you anything? Not only will you benefit but so will your family, friends and the community in which you live. Ridiculous, right? Also, the word will help you to make new friends, expand your contacts, improve your social and relationship skills. Sounds better doesn't it. But let's not stop there, we are only getting to the good stuff. You will stay healthier, more physically fit, alevieate chronic pain, stave off depression, lessen your risk for heart disease, and increase your ties to your community. I hear you saying, "this word has got to be the name of a miracle drug." Am I right?

Before I forget, the word will also improve your existing job skills and can even give you skills for a new job or career. The word can give you more and broader work experience. The word can even set you on a new course to more fulfilling work and in some cases a better paying job. I can hear you yelling now, "Stop. Tell me the word." Not so fast.

The word can also lead to people seeking you out for your wisdom and life experience. Now you are screaming, "Enough! I must know this word." OK. Put on your seat belt, get ready to listen and REWIRE your thinking about the future.

The word is VOLUNTEER. All the studies support the many positive results derived from rolling up your sleeves and helping others. Actually, you don't even have to roll up your sleeves. You just have to show up to a volunteer opportunity that gives you driver fulfillment and appeals to your interest and curiosity. It can be something big like world hunger or something small like cleaning up a neighborhood park. Needs are boundless and so are opportunities to make a difference.

We don't care what volunteer opportunity you pick. It could be the Red Cross, The Sierra Club, The Peace Corps, UNICEF, Habitat for Humanity, or your local homeless feeding program. The needs are great and by committing to improve the lives of others or the environment, you will improve your life in ways you could never imagine!

"OLDER" PEOPLE,HOWEVER DEFINED, ARE NOT "LUMPABLE!

I hate it when people make assumptions that everyone around them is just like them, or worse, thinks just like them. I'm not talking about politics, gay rights or healthcare issues. I'm talking about aging! Recently I eavesdropped on a group of late 50 year old guys where two of them were going on and on about their aches and pains. One went so far as to say..."We're all in the same boat, getting old and gray by the day!"

I couldn't believe that none of the other guys took him on and said, Hey! I'm not hurtin! In fact I'm feeling pretty good. A little earlier one of the guys had told me he was looking into doing the Iron Man. When I asked him later, why didn't you say something about it, he shrugged it off, but I couldn't.

The truth is I get really ticked when I hear an "older" person (and how we define that today is another great challenge!)making an assumption about a peer, regardless of what the subject. People have a tendency to lump people together especially as they age. They shouldn't. PEOPLE ARE NOT LUMPABLE! It bothers me when I hear people say they have an ache or pain and assume you do also, when not only do you not, but in reality you have just completed a mini marathon in record time! Why do people do that? To make themselves feel better---or do they want everyone in the same boat? Theirs!

When I hear friends or strangers say, older people are all alike, I want to slap them on the side of the head and say, no they aren't, and to continue by asking, why would you assume everyone else your age is like you? And I want to go further and ask, actually how old are these old people you refer to? As a simple test, ask yourself right now---how do you define older people? And even more importantly, how do you see yourself?

In my work I help people of all ages rewire, and I am always struck when an older individual, and older in this instance is referring to anyone over 50, as defined by AARP (not me),tells me they feel old. My natural response to them is keep it to yourself.If you see yourself as old, so will others, I guarantee it. And then you doom all of us Boomers,so don't do it! There are many people, 50,60, 70, even 80 year olds who are doing just fine and feeling great! In fact the man in the picture is Buster Martin who ran marathons until he was 102 years old. Is Buster unique? Yes and no. One thing for sure is that he isn't LUMPABLE!

Open your eyes and see how many people around you are rewiring into next great acts! They're excited about life and its possibilities; they are focusing on their functional age, not their chronological age! Make sure you are also.

A BUCKET LIST DREAM FULFILLED!

I'm conflicted. I liked the movie, THE BUCKET LIST, but I'm not a fan of the term, "bucket list" because it evokes the idea of "end of life." But when my little sister called from San Antonio last July to say that her husband had told her that skating at Rockefeller Center was on his bucket list, I said what's stopping you? Not everyone has a sister living in New York City so get those plane tickets! And they did.



A big part of my work, and my philosophy is to challenge people to identify their dreams, then go for it and make them a reality. The Bucket List has two components. First you have to create your list, and that takes time and a lot of thinking. The second part is executing what you have out on your list. It's true, some Bucket List goals are bigger than others and take more planning not to mention money, to make happen. But once you put a dream down on your Bucket List accept that it's there because you really want to make it happen. Only the things that you really want to have happen in your life deserve a place on that list!



So now it's happened--my brother in law has successfully completed one of the key items on his Bucket List...he skated underneath the tree at Rockefeller Center and loved it! He hadn't skated in over 15 years and took to the ice like a duck takes to water. He whirled, he twirled..he pretended he was at the Olympics and lived in the moment. He purposely picked the 4:30pm session so he would experience the setting sun on the buildings surrounding the rink not to mention seeing the tree sparkling.



Skating wasn't on my sister's Bucket List but being a trooper she went out on the ice and proceeeded to fall and sprain her wrist! The point is...what's on your Bucket List should be personally yours. My sister was the conduit but my brother in law was the catalyst...he dared to tell her his dream.



My brother in law sure looks happy in that picture, doesn't he?...just imagine that could be you! Recent Bucket List ideas I have heard include bicycling through France, going to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade,visiting the Civil War battle fields,and going to Fashion Week at Lincoln Center...they sure cover a gamut of ideas, don't they?



So what's on your list? Do you even have a list? If not, why not? And if yes,how many of the activities on your Bucket List have you made a reality? Isn't it time to rewire your thinking about life..your dreams...and your list? I don't care what you call your list, I just care that you create one!

I'm 55. What Do I Do Now?

I recently attended a roundtable event sponsored by New York Senator Liz Krueger entitled: The Graying of the American Workforce: “Planning Ahead:Boomers & Seniors Living In the 21st Century.”

It was the first of a 5-Part Series for Boomers and Seniors, and during this first session, The Graying of the American Workforce panelists addressed age discrimination, reinventing yourself as preparation to re-enter the workforce, and what does it mean to “give back” in the second half of life.The room was packed with women and men, at least 50+ who were eager to get back in the game.

It is a fact that age discrimination exists but many people 50+ are finding new and creative ways to rewire their energy into new jobs and project opportunities. A representative from the Freelancers Union told the audience that 30% of the country's workforce are freelancers.The reality is that freelancers are left out of the social support system and often lack health insurance, unemployment insurance, retirement plans and basic labor protections. Not surprisingly she was advocating the very positive benefits of joining the Freelancers Union.

She also told the group how to reposition their skills; market themselves and price for their services. If you are stuck and don't know how to go forward take the time to check out the Freelancers Union. Another benefit is networking events that will help you network yourself into hopefully some new and exciting gigs.

I'm passing along this information because I think people might find some new and unexpected answers. You don't have to be 55 to be asking yourself the question what do I do now? People of all ages are wondering where, how and if they will be able to continue to work. Just remember this, you're not alone.

Tickling the Ivories at Age 96

Frank Sinatra isn't the only one who did it his way. Irving Fields may not be as famous as old blue eyes, but he is one of the oldest entertainers still performing---making audiences laugh, cry, enjoy and remember. Friends of ours recently heard him play in New York City and tipped us off to this energized and energizing man. Irving is 96 years young and still goes to work, playing the piano at clubs and hotels around the city. He started playing piano when he was 8 years old and has never stopped. He has tickled the 88's at places like Carnegie Hall, the Taj Mahal, the London Palladium and the old Copa Cabana.

We think Irving is a great life teacher, with lessons for all of us. Irving learned that doing the same thing, over and over, can lead to staleness, for himself and his audiences. So he often changed his repetoire, rewiring his music, to attract younger audiences and to keep older audiences coming back to enjoy new sounds and beats. In fact he is credited with popularizing the Latin beat in the 1940's and creating other themes with albums such as Bagels and Bongos, Pizzas and Bongos, and Bikinis and Bongos. His style changes not only challenged his thinking and skills but it kept him from falling into a comfort zone. And also gave his audiences new experiences and the opportunity for greater enjoyment!

Is he a role model for musicians? You bet. Is he a role model for all of us? We think so! In our work with pre and post retirees, we have met many people who want to continue going strong into the future; we believe that Irving Fields shows the power and payoffs of rewiring oneself. He sets a good example of what to do right.

Fields demonstrates that we all need to change with the times if we want to keep our audiences, clients, customers, friends even our partners or spouses. Learning new music has become part of his daily routine. Learning new things should be a daily routine for all of us. But is it? What was the last new thing you tried? Are you doing "the same old, same old" and wondering why you aren't getting satisfaction, or the new client,the new gig or even the new friend? People of all ages need to constantly hit their own refresh button.

In the work we do, we especially believe that growing older doesn't mean growing stale, or even worse, becoming bored or boring or invisible. So keep playing in your chosen area...and like Irving, we hope you will continue to find life's meaning and purpose in whatever you do. Sometimes your life will be loud, sometimes soft, but it will be sustaining regardless of your age.