Here's my counterpoint to this piece. Deciding you're too old to to do things when its not the case is a serious pitfall to not enjoying the last decade of your life. It's called "The Narrowing," and is often discussed in orthopedic contexts describing the gradual, self-imposed reduction of physical activity and life experiences as people age, fear injury, or lose mobility. It is a lifestyle decline where individuals stop doing things they love—like walking or taking stairs—leading to further loss of independence. Key Aspects of "The Narrowing": Physical Decline: As activity decreases, muscles shrink, fast-twitch fibers are lost, and fat infiltrates muscle, accelerating aging. Mental/Behavioral Aspect: Fear and a desire for comfort cause people to avoid activities, which shrinks their world. Resistance Training: Resistance training is essential to stop or reverse this process. Preventable: The narrowing is not an inevitable result of aging, but rather a consequence of inactivity that can be mitigated by moving with intention. Training to maintain functional capacity to avoid the narrowing ensures your body remains capable of doing what you love.
Living with uncertainty is perhaps the most difficult thing in any life. You can believe that God will take care of everything or believe the world is going to hell, rather than squirm uncomfortably and know that you really don't know what's going to happen next. I just got a difficult medical diagnosis and if I'm smart will practice my own counsel, living with what the Buddhists call "don't know mind." Thanks for this article.
So I searched for the major ways people lose money. In summary, while personal financial mismanagement is common (the more usual arena covered by HumbleDollar), theft in its many forms (from digital scams to physical larceny and organized crime) is a major systemic and individual cause of financial loss.
The Way It Is
William Stafford There’s a thread you follow. It goes among
things that change. But it doesn’t change.
People wonder about what you are pursuing.
You have to explain about the thread.
But it is hard for others to see.
While you hold it you can’t get lost.
Tragedies happen; people get hurt
or die; and you suffer and get old.
Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.
You don’t ever let go of the thread.
Money in and of itself has no meaning. When one feels OK inside, as in "I am/I have enough", money becomes an extension of that spiritual fullness. When there's a bit too much of a hole in one's soul, money can become just another false god used to fill the emptiness, akin to alcohol, workaholism, or sex. Jonathan, you have brought much meaning to a lot of people. I for one carry your gifts with me each day. May you feel your fullness now.
Lots of unbiased data on the bill: https://usafacts.org/articles/whats-in-the-one-big-beautiful-bill/?utm_source=USAFacts_Klaviyo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=07_07_25_Flagship_OBBBA%20and%20trade%20%26%20tariffs&_kx=ZynK5EGkE-D_TxiWwrqCJspAzMFGUbJX4TZHzIdAvI5-CXiHaSLYGDqJKLML-R5o.SH8aQb
We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
T.S. Eliot May you read a novel all day if you wish and know it as wise 62 year old. I love you Jonathan as do so many others.
Comments
Here's my counterpoint to this piece. Deciding you're too old to to do things when its not the case is a serious pitfall to not enjoying the last decade of your life. It's called "The Narrowing," and is often discussed in orthopedic contexts describing the gradual, self-imposed reduction of physical activity and life experiences as people age, fear injury, or lose mobility. It is a lifestyle decline where individuals stop doing things they love—like walking or taking stairs—leading to further loss of independence. Key Aspects of "The Narrowing": Physical Decline: As activity decreases, muscles shrink, fast-twitch fibers are lost, and fat infiltrates muscle, accelerating aging. Mental/Behavioral Aspect: Fear and a desire for comfort cause people to avoid activities, which shrinks their world. Resistance Training: Resistance training is essential to stop or reverse this process. Preventable: The narrowing is not an inevitable result of aging, but rather a consequence of inactivity that can be mitigated by moving with intention. Training to maintain functional capacity to avoid the narrowing ensures your body remains capable of doing what you love.
Post: Ageing and the Open Road
Link to comment from May 2, 2026
Living with uncertainty is perhaps the most difficult thing in any life. You can believe that God will take care of everything or believe the world is going to hell, rather than squirm uncomfortably and know that you really don't know what's going to happen next. I just got a difficult medical diagnosis and if I'm smart will practice my own counsel, living with what the Buddhists call "don't know mind." Thanks for this article.
Post: Doubt the Forecast
Link to comment from March 28, 2026
So I searched for the major ways people lose money. In summary, while personal financial mismanagement is common (the more usual arena covered by HumbleDollar), theft in its many forms (from digital scams to physical larceny and organized crime) is a major systemic and individual cause of financial loss.
Post: Can we be completely safe?
Link to comment from December 20, 2025
The Way It Is William Stafford There’s a thread you follow. It goes among things that change. But it doesn’t change. People wonder about what you are pursuing. You have to explain about the thread. But it is hard for others to see. While you hold it you can’t get lost. Tragedies happen; people get hurt or die; and you suffer and get old. Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding. You don’t ever let go of the thread.
Post: How Important Is Money?
Link to comment from July 19, 2025
Money in and of itself has no meaning. When one feels OK inside, as in "I am/I have enough", money becomes an extension of that spiritual fullness. When there's a bit too much of a hole in one's soul, money can become just another false god used to fill the emptiness, akin to alcohol, workaholism, or sex. Jonathan, you have brought much meaning to a lot of people. I for one carry your gifts with me each day. May you feel your fullness now.
Post: How Important Is Money?
Link to comment from July 19, 2025
https://usafacts.org/articles/whats-in-the-one-big-beautiful-bill/?utm_source=USAFacts_Klaviyo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=07_07_25_Flagship_OBBBA%20and%20trade%20%26%20tariffs&_kx=ZynK5EGkE-D_TxiWwrqCJspAzMFGUbJX4TZHzIdAvI5-CXiHaSLYGDqJKLML-R5o.SH8aQb
Post: What to Know About The One Big Beautiful Bill
Link to comment from July 12, 2025
Lots of unbiased data on the bill: https://usafacts.org/articles/whats-in-the-one-big-beautiful-bill/?utm_source=USAFacts_Klaviyo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=07_07_25_Flagship_OBBBA%20and%20trade%20%26%20tariffs&_kx=ZynK5EGkE-D_TxiWwrqCJspAzMFGUbJX4TZHzIdAvI5-CXiHaSLYGDqJKLML-R5o.SH8aQb
Post: What to Know About The One Big Beautiful Bill
Link to comment from July 12, 2025
We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time. T.S. Eliot May you read a novel all day if you wish and know it as wise 62 year old. I love you Jonathan as do so many others.
Post: Tasting Retirement
Link to comment from April 26, 2025
I think you're onto something, my friend.
Post: Don’t Push It
Link to comment from April 12, 2025
Thanks for helping us all to get real on the inside.
Post: Four Thoughts
Link to comment from March 1, 2025