There Are No Do Overs

 Where does this title grab you?  “The Surprising Joy of Old Age” was found in the September 17, 2018 edition of Time. In the article, a number of studies were referenced. In one, a group of 30-year-olds were compared to 70-year-old’s as to their happiness. Were the 70 -year-olds defined by sorrow, dread, or regret? Or, were they defined by peace, gratitude, and fulfillment? According to the study, 70-year-olds were happier than 30-year-olds. Another author claimed that there is a U-shaped course in life. The happiest times are in childhood and old age, while the unhappiest were in their 40’s and 50’s. Further, it was stated that this U shaped phenomena runs across nations, cultures and incomes levels. According to one author, older people have more ability to normalize crises and realize that they will survive them.  One other study compared successful CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, aged 50 to 70, to younger people on tests of reasoning and processing speed. Not surprising, the younger people scored better. However, the CEOs were running huge, stable and profitable companies. Further, the article indicated that death is inevitable and that so many of us may reach that end smarter, and even smiling. Really, it doesn’t fit my limited experience.

A second article, this time, in the New York Times, dated August 26, 2018, was titled “Winning the Lottery Beats Losing, A Study Finds.” In this article, a study of lottery winners in the Swedish lottery were compared. They found that lottery winners on measures of “well-being “and “life satisfaction” differed. Responses to a question asking about happiness however, showed less of a connection to the amount of lottery winnings. On the other hand, life satisfaction as measured by taking fewer mental health prescription drugs were found with lottery winners. Come on, what about other prescription medications? These researchers and other studies found that money increased life satisfaction scores when they compared those that had greater winnings on the lottery than to those that had less lottery winnings. Winning the Swedish Lottery might increase your life satisfaction?

Suze Orman’s “New Rules of Retirement,” found in the August/September 2018 edition of AARP listed 7 guidelines. Number 1 was “Embrace Your Age” while 5, of course, of the next 6 had to do with economics.

To Be Continued