REDEFINE YOURSELF - DO NOT RETIRE

I have been amazed coming back to the USA from my work in Africa at what getting older means.  Too many people I meet have one goal when they have a career.  This goal is to have a paid retirement.  In Africa there was very little paid retirement.  In fact, about the only time a person would say they were going to retire meant they were going home to sleep and relax for the evening.  The next day that person would get up and do some gainful work.  As a person in Africa become an elder they would never retire only redefine themselves.  I am trying to redefine myself as I get older.  USA people my age do not understand what I am doing writing a book and working each day.  Most USA people only wish to stop gainful work and retire.  The Merriam-Webster dictionary has a meaning for retire which means ‘withdraw from action, use or service.’  It is always a good time to redefine and not only retire.  More elders need to keep the youth in their focus and to assist in guiding them.  When I discuss my book with grandparents or parents with grown children they seem not interested in the educational system.  Each person must not retire from the ‘grown-up’ position in front of the current youth generation.  So I shall keep on redefining myself and starting the dialogue as I write in my book.  Please join me, all ages.  No retiring.  Keep redefining yourself and sharing your experiences and lead the youth and their parental generation.  Read my book.

BOOK SIGNING SEPTEMBER 10, 2011

I have a book signing on September 10, 2011.  The location is the Main Street Coffee House, 107 South Main, Independence, Missouri from 10:00 am to 1:00pm.  The Main Street Coffee House is at the Independence Square.  SEE YOU THERE....

YOUTH AND NIGHT CURFEWS

Many cities are having problems with youth out on the streets after dark.  Too many reported cases of youth causing trouble at night have also made the news.  Many city governments have instituted curfews for youth to be off the streets.  Then the city begin to discuss a manner in which the community can service the youth after dark so the youth have something to do.  I think the youth should do community service, the community serving the youth.  If a community keeps a child busy during the daylight then the child will be more tired and stay home to sleep at night.  This is the natural pattern of life.  Work hard during the day at required chores and then a restful sleep is the reward.  This is the lesson for the youth to learn.