in my mind, retirement was always synonymous with freedom
once i didn't have to work, or worry about work, i would be free to do whatever i felt like doing.
and so far, that's been true.
however, now that i am almost 2 years into it, i have developed a problem with staying engaged and active and interested in all the possibilities.
so, in an effort to keep my butt off the couch, i put my butt in the driver's seat
and went for a sunset picture ride yesterday.
i was actually looking to return to the amazing magical feeling of last winter
when the snowy owls kept me actively engaged for months on end.
instead of snowy owls, i found an empty tequila bottle.
it was left on the barrier wall on the edge of the beach parking lot.
at first, i was annoyed that someone left their litter behind.
and then i realized it was a very cool looking bottle.
and that it might look good if i shot it where it was
but from a low angle so the sunset was behind it.
and it did.
i was happy, it was a special moment
and when i got home and looked at the image, i smiled
a pretty picture always makes me smile.
this morning, however, as i looked at this image, i saw more than just a pretty picture.
i saw a way to look at this stage in my life.
the sunset years
i can be annoyed at other people's impact on me and my environment.
or i can see it as an opportunity to see things i may not have seen.
this beautiful bottle, on the ledge, in the golden glow of sunset - i would never have seen this if not for someone else.
i can sit at home, on my warm couch, with my husband (who begged me to stay home).
or i can go see what i can see.
to wander and ponder at will, no schedule, has been a lifelong quest of mine.
to sit on my warm couch has not been a lifelong quest.
i need to leave the comfort zone.
now today this minute.
wander then ponder. but don't neglect the wander.
and then tequlia.
the wild stuff.
i need to cultivate some wild stuff.
warm couches, cozy fires and comfort food are all wonderful and i am lucky to have that.
but i need to cultivate some wildness to make the golden years a growing stage of life.
i do not want to slow down or lay low.
i want to expand and grow and glow like a tequila sunset.
right down to the last drop.
