"Who Said We Were Finished?"

Have you seen the latest AARP commerical? The AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) commerical? Retired...ha! This isn't your parents or grandparents AARP!

The AARP is one of the most dominant organizations in the United States serving the retired population. They are bringing to light that largest, most influential, and wealthiest generation, the baby boomers, really don't plan on retiring. They are just going to shift to other dreams, goals, or to discover their passions in life. I heard a gentleman say the other day that he would know he was retired "about three days before I die."

For many of us we were raised by parents of the Greatest Generation, made more famous by the efforts of former NBC newscaster Tom Brokaw with his book and TV specials. The parents of the Greatest Generation taught their children who would become baby boomers to "get a job so you can pay your bills and buy food." My grandfather always talked about the day when he could retire...and then...well he'd be retired.

Now there is a generation of over 77 million baby boomers who don't see life in the same light. They still have dreams to live, goals to accomplish, passions to discover. Don't even bring up the "R" word. In the AARP commerical, a lady decorating a cake even says, "I want to fall in love again." Check their website...the opening page is a middle-aged couple in a romantic kiss. My grandfather would have a fit! THAT is NOT retirement.

I have the feeling that many of us who claim the title of baby boomer would rather go out with a bang and not just a whimper no matter how old we get. After all, baby boomers who lived through the 1960's shook up the whole world. Who chanted "the whole world is watching" in 1968? The baby boomers! Who burned their bras? Baby boomers! Burned draft cards? Baby boomers. Fought for equal rights? Baby boomers! Protested an ugly war? Baby boomers! Were the first to talk about the environment? You got it.

It's evident that there is a new "R" word for this generation and its not 'retire'. The new 'R' stands for "reinvent". People in their 50's, 60's, 70's and beyond want another journey to experience. They want to discover and return to their roots of the 1960's. The Baby Boomer generation always enjoyed hearing "you can't do that...you can't say that...you can't go there."

Well we're still here and we have some unleft business to attend to. For card carrying members of this generation of dreamers, its still our time. Time to discover our passions and live them to the fullest.

In coming blogs I'll be addressing the "how" of making those discoveries. I'll be offering advice, tips, and plans that everyone can use to guide them on their path to fulfillment.