THE TRUTH ABOUT TIME - HOW MUCH DO YOU HAVE?

According to this census, the average male born in 1970 will live to be 70 years old; the average female – 75.

1950? M = 66 F – 72  1960? M = 67 F = 74  1980? M = 70 F = 78

What does this mean for you?

From the age 0 – 18 you are still learning life, going to school and answering to mom and dad. 

From the age of 18 – 25 you are most likely extending your education, meeting your future spouse and possibly preparing to enter the job market.

From the age of 25 – 35 the average couple has married and are preparing for a family of their own, making major purchases, establishing their careers and learning to balance work with play.

According to the census above – if you were born in 1970 you are now at the half-way point in your life. So far you have lived independently, making your own choices, and exploring all aspects of life for approximately 15 years. How is it working for you thus far?

From 35 – 45 you will fall into the “inventory” years, you will decide if your choices are working for you, making you happy, bringing you success. This will be the time when changes are usually made – life changing choices – divorce, job changes, moves… and this will be the time in your life when you will either realize your dreams or find yourself struggling to stay above water.

Now for the bad news. If 70 is your expected life span in years, you will most likely begin experiencing life changing health issues (which will impact your finances as well as your ability to physically partake in those dreams you once dreamt) at the age of 65 on average. You can now remove those last five years from your plans to realize those trips abroad, partaking in activities that require physical activity and strength like snow skiing, boating, hiking, swimming, flying, etc.

Now, if you have children, you will be expected to donate to their education and/or help them out when they hit rough times. There goes the $$ security you thought you had.

Doing the math, you now have approximately 20 years to make the best of your life while you can. Assuming you have the finances to make those trips and do those exciting things you dreamt about, let’s ask this question – are you still in your first marriage? Do you have a partner to share your last 20 year of bliss with? 

Twenty years. Still have to plug away at that job and find time for living your dreams during those vacation periods! Will your children be coming with you? 

Twenty years. Are your bills paid up? Your credit in good standing? How much free time do you really have? Are your living arrangements stable? Do you have a plan if you become ill before the predicted age of 65?

NOW I ASK YOU – Have you found someone to share these last twenty years with? If not, you will probably never take those trips abroad, take those vacations to exciting and new places, you will probably not have the opportunity and/or the motivation to realize those dreams you once had.

At 50 you will begin to acknowledge your own mortality. You will begin the long descent into regret. If you have children, they will be giving you grandchildren and maybe that will be enough to carry you through… but you still have dreams.

At 55 the life you are living is the life that will sustain you.

At 60 the life you are living is the life in which you are dying.

Every day is a gift.

Every opportunity is a gift.

Every choice is a gift.

Find that special someone who loves you as much as you love them.

Learn to live with enough. Take risks. Spend your money and take those trips and see those places you always wanted to see. Do all the things you wanted to do. Experience as much happiness as you can in these years.

If you have found your soul-mate, you are blessed beyond words – you will never be alone, you will always have someone by your side to weather the good times and the bad. When you can no longer physically live your dream your soul-mate will still share your dreams in remembering, imagining and by holding your hand and giving you the gift of love.

You think you have all the time in the world – you don’t. 65 is the average life span of a man born in 1970 – not a guarantee. The quality of your life is not assured either. If you have the chance to love – then love. 

Do not let anything keep you from what matters most – because without someone to love and love you in return… dreams rarely come true.

M TERESA CLAYTON

all citations are with the original post in AEA Magazine.