There are few subjects that generate more discussion and different viewpoints, than Life Expectancy. Almost everything we do, or plan to do, is based on the expectancy that we will be alive to do them
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Before going further, take a minute to think about yourself... and what you expect to be doing, 5, 10, 15, 20, or 30 years from now... keeping in mind that there WILL be changes that will be dictated by your physical and mental abilities.
Now take a few minutes to go to this chart, and to consider your life expectancy at the age of birth. Looking at this from my own perspective, I have ALREADY outlived my own life expectancy by 16 years. It is a sobering thought.
Life Expectancy at Birth by Race and Sex, 1930–2010 | Infoplease.com
Current life expectancy is quite different. According to actuarial tables, in my case, I'm expected to 'probably' live, another 10 years.
BUT... how can that be? I've already lived longer than about half of the kids I went to school with, back in first grade. One of these Kids was Nancy Wilson, who died in third grade, and another was Anthony Goldsmith, who died in 6th grade. My cousin Margie, died at age 22, My Father in law, at age 45, my own father at age 56, my mother at age 84, and my aunt at age 92.
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And the point is?....................................
Well, maybe no point at all, but just a moment in time, to consider how plans fit in with reality. How money and security fits in with what we may actually be doing when we are older. If the dream is world travel, cruising the Carribean in your own yacht, mountain climbing and hiking, or perhaps exploring the US in an RV... then you have to remember, that when you turn 75 or 80... these activities may not be your top priority.
Subject came to mind, watching a Dick Cheney interview this AM, promoting his new book "Heart"... Not just the part about the five early heart attacks , or his more recent heart transplantat age 71... and not about changing lifestyles, or even the new technology that extends life... The part that hit home was the fact of dealing with great emotional changes at each point of crisis... Of having hours and days and weeks of consultations with the doctors... many operations, with no certain outcome and of wondering whether or not life would go on. Just another person like you and me.
And the point is....
Perhaps that planning, isn't everything. That one more year, may not be as important as lving for today and tomorrow, and next week. Your experience will not be the same as mine, and our dreams for the future will be very different, but at the same time we take responsibility for our lives and those around us... there is good reason to live for today.
.
Before going further, take a minute to think about yourself... and what you expect to be doing, 5, 10, 15, 20, or 30 years from now... keeping in mind that there WILL be changes that will be dictated by your physical and mental abilities.
Now take a few minutes to go to this chart, and to consider your life expectancy at the age of birth. Looking at this from my own perspective, I have ALREADY outlived my own life expectancy by 16 years. It is a sobering thought.
Life Expectancy at Birth by Race and Sex, 1930–2010 | Infoplease.com
Current life expectancy is quite different. According to actuarial tables, in my case, I'm expected to 'probably' live, another 10 years.
BUT... how can that be? I've already lived longer than about half of the kids I went to school with, back in first grade. One of these Kids was Nancy Wilson, who died in third grade, and another was Anthony Goldsmith, who died in 6th grade. My cousin Margie, died at age 22, My Father in law, at age 45, my own father at age 56, my mother at age 84, and my aunt at age 92.
......
And the point is?....................................
Well, maybe no point at all, but just a moment in time, to consider how plans fit in with reality. How money and security fits in with what we may actually be doing when we are older. If the dream is world travel, cruising the Carribean in your own yacht, mountain climbing and hiking, or perhaps exploring the US in an RV... then you have to remember, that when you turn 75 or 80... these activities may not be your top priority.
Subject came to mind, watching a Dick Cheney interview this AM, promoting his new book "Heart"... Not just the part about the five early heart attacks , or his more recent heart transplantat age 71... and not about changing lifestyles, or even the new technology that extends life... The part that hit home was the fact of dealing with great emotional changes at each point of crisis... Of having hours and days and weeks of consultations with the doctors... many operations, with no certain outcome and of wondering whether or not life would go on. Just another person like you and me.
And the point is....
Perhaps that planning, isn't everything. That one more year, may not be as important as lving for today and tomorrow, and next week. Your experience will not be the same as mine, and our dreams for the future will be very different, but at the same time we take responsibility for our lives and those around us... there is good reason to live for today.
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