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I WAS WORRIED ABOUT what we’d be giving up when, a few years ago, we moved to a 55-plus community in Atlanta. We downsized from a large home to a small apartment, plus all our neighbors were considerably older. It was obvious we had to adjust and start enjoying our unfamiliar environment or we’d end up miserable.
My wife and I made a conscious decision to slow down, and make every effort to get to know other residents and their life stories. Within several weeks, we felt more comfortable living there.
One conversation during the first week transformed my thinking about retiree life. The man was much older, struggled with mobility and was constantly in pain. But he was always cheerful and would say “hello” whenever he saw me.
One morning, I ran into him in the corridor. I greeted him with, “Good morning. Have a great day.”
His reply, said with a smile: “Any day above ground is a great day.”
This simple statement had a profound impact on how I thought about life’s day-to-day struggles. A day could be bad for many reasons: a dead car battery, a traffic jam, a parking ticket, a client canceling a contract, office politics and more. But the important thing is, I’m still above ground, living and breathing, which isn’t always a given for a senior. I’m thankful for this fact, and it makes all other problems seem small, trivial and not worth worrying about.
We’re told to “count your blessings,” which helps us keep things in perspective when they don’t go well. This gratitude—especially the gratitude that we’re still above ground—can allow us to get some distance from life’s day-to-day hassles.
Such thoughts can also help with investing. Legendary investor Warren Buffett has said that it’s wise for investors “to be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy only when others are fearful.” Investment opportunities often arise when others are fearful and share prices are beaten down.
I think of the price I pay for a beaten-down stock as the “ground.” When the stock moves above the price I paid, I’m happy it’s “above ground.” If I buy a stock at $100 and it goes to $150, I’m certainly happy. What if it then drops to $125? I tend to be unhappy, and may be tempted to sell. But I try to avoid this temptation by telling myself I’m still “above ground” and I need to stay the course. It’s a way for me to get some distance from the stock market’s daily price gyrations.
Good post. My version of being thankful for the gift of life itself is “Better than the alternative…”
It definitely pays to go back to the basics once in a while and appreciate the things that matter – life itself, but also people we love, friendship, young children, our families, how we managed to wind up on this particular rock in space (and what might come next), the perfect sound of our favorite music, that magical computer in our head that keeps churning out ideas and thoughts… You can add your own, no doubt.
We just lost our niece this past week. She was 44, and left 2 daughters ages 11 and 15. I am looking at each day as a gift, as we are never promised another one. Suddenly everything else except family seems a whole lot less important.
This is a stark reminder life can change in a minute. Nothing is permanent. Make best use of time we have with family and friends.
Sundar Mohan Rao .
So sorry to hear that. May your nice memories of you niece only get better through her daughters. Take care.
Deepest condolences, Mike. Those two girls are now looking at a world that will never be the same for them. Their family support system will be crucial at such a vulnerable, formative age.
Possibly the best investment decision I’ve made was to make my first investment in stocks shortly before Black Monday in 1987. My huge 2k investment plummeted, making my stomach feel like it was in my throat. The rapid recovery that followed taught me not to sweat the small stuff. 2002, 2008 and 2022 didn’t bother me at all; I’m still above ground.
Now a day doesn’t go by when Chrissy looks at me and asks rhetorically “do we have a good life”.
In the early days, I used to think I was smart enough to time the market. Market has a way of humiliating anyone and teaching a lesson. I learnt my lessons hard.
I similarly snail-mailed my first mutual fund investment checks — totaling a whole $3.5K divided among four funds, each in a different fund family (wow) — around the Aug. 25, 1987, peak of the S&P 500. Two months later, the crash focused my attention, but I just chronicled my loss and began buying shares every month, despite the advice of a friend to get out. I had tiptoed in for the long haul at age 24, and I stuck to that, to my great benefit. Crashes are great teachers, if you strive to learn from them. Your perspective matters, too. And a bit of optimism, tempered by prudence, always helps.
Two days ago a friend in our 55 plus community died. He was diagnosed with cancer only six months ago, he was much younger than me.
A week ago I tripped in my cousins garage and smashed my hand on the floor. The next day I tripped getting out of the car at the curb and went flying landing on my knee and side – but my iPhone landed on the grass.😎
My self diagnosis is a cracked rib or two. I have been in pain ever since, but gradually improving.
However, as I look around at others my age or quite a bit younger, I see I have nothing to complain about.
No matter what life throws at us, there is always someone else with bigger challenges wishing they could change places.
Best wishes a full recovery. Falls frequently happen in my 55+ community. We need to be extra careful in bath rooms and showers.
Dick, sorry to hear about your 2 falls. I hope you r cover quickly and fully.
Do you mind carrying a cane? It can really help with sure-footedness. I’ve even convinced my 86 year-old mom to be more diligent about carrying and using one. (My 89 year-old dad utilizes his walker 100% now. Sadly, his mobility decline was rapid.)
PS Mom cracked her ribs wiping down her shower, so as you’ve learned, it can happen when you least expect it. Your recovery will be over a month I bet, if it’s similar to hers. Happy healing!
Falls can be a real life changer. There’s no shame in using a cane.
So sorry to hear about your two falls. But I’m glad to see you’ve adopted the British stiff upper lip!
What’s the British saying Jonathan?
Keep calm and carry a cane? 🤭