What? Me Retire? Me Escape?

Stoicism: Letters from a Stoic and the Wisdom of Seneca. Everytime I read another blog post or article about Retirement, I think of this quote from Seneca:

“What good does it do you to go overseas, to move from city to city? If you really want to escape the things that harass you, what you’re needing is not to be in a different place but to be a different person.” (Letters from a Stoic, Seneca)
Instead of trying to run away from our problems, Seneca advised we overcome our fears and insecurities by studying the wisdom of individuals who have achieved a self-sufficient and enlightened character."

This morning, the article was about where in the world to retire and live on Social Security. Sometimes, it is about how to maximize income in retirement. Other times, it is about how much we need to save every month in order to have a large nest egg. Hey, I deal with stress and anxiety every day. It is sometimes a struggle to be in the present without worrying or obsessing about some problem, or about what will happen in the future, or about how to pay this bill or that bill. But, rather then spend time figuring out how to escape from our current physical location, or to go to a different place, or to seek solace in a vacation, Seneca and the other Stoics suggest that we should concentrate on what is inside our heads, because that is where our problems begin and end. Just for today, I am going to worry only about the next moment, and then the next, and realize that I don't control my fate or what happens tomorrow. Anybody else with me?

Comments

[Julian Summerhayes]

I'm with you my friend.

Retirement isn't anything more than a different experience. Sure, it might be better than work but then again, it might be the worst thing in the world without something to hold our attention to the now.

Deep bows,
Julian