Don't Wait
As an "older American", I am used to giving sage advise to the younger generations. I'm a flight instructor as well, and I get these kids with "shiny jet syndrome" wanting to learn to fly so they can ...
Forum Discussion
I think what everyone here believes is that one must travel to experience and be happy. While that may be true for many here (as this is an RV forum), that is not the experience many other people want. For lots of folks, experiences are made daily in their own home towns. They don't need to travel to faraway places to make memories. They have different wants than folks here have.
I remember listening to my parents interact once. My Dad had just come from a computer store buying a bunch of parts to upgrade his computer once again. As he came through the living room with his bag, he commented that my Mom was watching that shopping channel again. What I saw was two people who were fully enjoying and experiencing their lives. What made one happy, the other thought was just silly. My Mom would say "there was nothing wrong with his old computer" - but she couldn't see how he enjoyed the fiddling. My Dad would say "she has more jewelry than anyone needs" - but he couldn't see that she enjoyed the hunt for that perfect piece. They were both happy and they had great memories and experiences FOR THEM.
After my Mom died, my Dad start traveling more. I'd go visit after he got back home from Alaska and all he'd mention was the fishing. To me, there was so much other stuff that I would have found exciting and memorable - but for him, it was all about the fishing.
I guess my point is that what creates an experience and a memory to one means nothing to another. So before feeling sorry for someone who doesn't go out and see the world while they can, make sure that that's an experience THEY actually wanted.
I'll also add that I am not saving up for retirement - I am saving up to live a secure and happy life. That may mean paying medical bills in my old age or it may mean traveling or it may mean something else altogether.
I remember listening to my parents interact once. My Dad had just come from a computer store buying a bunch of parts to upgrade his computer once again. As he came through the living room with his bag, he commented that my Mom was watching that shopping channel again. What I saw was two people who were fully enjoying and experiencing their lives. What made one happy, the other thought was just silly. My Mom would say "there was nothing wrong with his old computer" - but she couldn't see how he enjoyed the fiddling. My Dad would say "she has more jewelry than anyone needs" - but he couldn't see that she enjoyed the hunt for that perfect piece. They were both happy and they had great memories and experiences FOR THEM.
After my Mom died, my Dad start traveling more. I'd go visit after he got back home from Alaska and all he'd mention was the fishing. To me, there was so much other stuff that I would have found exciting and memorable - but for him, it was all about the fishing.
I guess my point is that what creates an experience and a memory to one means nothing to another. So before feeling sorry for someone who doesn't go out and see the world while they can, make sure that that's an experience THEY actually wanted.
I'll also add that I am not saving up for retirement - I am saving up to live a secure and happy life. That may mean paying medical bills in my old age or it may mean traveling or it may mean something else altogether.
