How to Live a Secure and Meaningful Retirement

A secure and meaningful retirement

Retirement is like a long vacation in Las Vegas. The goal is to enjoy it the fullest, but not so fully that you run out of money. Jonathan Clements

I am 71, I am a husband and a father to one son and one daughter. I have a part-time office job in the morning for six days a week. My son is working in Singapore and my daughter in at UTAR studying Economics. The purpose of this article is to share my thinking and the way I live my retirement now.

Retirement should bring happiness and contentment. You should be able to look forward to every new day with excitement. The following vital factors are crucial not only for a secure but meaningful life.

Health is Your Responsibility

Health is wealth. With good health, you enjoy the freedom and live life to the fullest. To maintain a healthy body is not only for your own good but is also a responsibility. Just imagine when you are suffering from a serious illness such as a stroke, who is going to take care of you daily? Your family members of course.  They may not have the time and resources to look after you. When they don’t, you blame them for not being filial. So the point I want to bring out is that life is already stressful for each and every one of us. Do not be a burden to those around you.as they have their life to take care of. You can look after yourself when you are healthy and fit.  

Daily Rituals

Every morning I wake up around six and after drinking a glass of water I do stretching TaiChi and breathing exercise at the car porch. This is my morning rituals. For about twice a week I do weight lifting ( I have a home gym) at home and jog around the field just opposite the Indian temple at Sri Kemuning. The only time I watch TV is the 8TV News at 8pm. in the evening. To get a good night sleep I read a few pages of a book. Reading stimulates your mind and promotes mental health. I borrow books from the nearby state library. In the afternoon, I enjoy a nap from time to time. To occupy my free time I do online surveys (https://creditcardlighthouse.blogspot.com/2016/03/top-10-survey-sites-in-malaysia.html) and earn some pocket money.

In the evening I pen a few lines in my diary to express my gratefulness and appreciation for a great day. On a regular basis, I invite a good friend of mine to a movie and tea. I live life with energy, serenity, peace of mind and focus.

Your house is your castle

Your son’s house is not your house and on;y your house is truly your own. Do not be so naive to sell your house and stay with your son upon request. Your daughter-in-law may not like the idea and if you are unfortunate to get chase out of the house you will be homeless. Your personal home means security, freedom and peace of mind. There again it is assumed that you are in good health and able to take care of your own self.

My part-time job  

A part-time job suits me well. I earn and I keep myself busy for half a day and get connected with the business world It gives me a sense of purpose and usefulness. I used to write one article for one day Now I do it only when I have important messages to share like this article. that you are reading now.

Money

I am not rich but I am debt-free. I hope, God willing, my savings and investment are able to outlive my life and not the other way round. I do keep a sum for emergency purposes because life is full of unexpected happenings and you need to spend money immediately.

Continuous Learning

The world is moving at a rapid pace with technology advancement. I read and learn continuous to update myself. I implement useful technologies such as e-wallet to keep up with the time. It is the best way to stimulate your brain.

Peanut the Poodle
A pet at home is a great companion. Peanut is the greatest source of inspiration, happiness and serenity. He is the best security guard in the world. He will bark loudly at the slightest noise or movement at the gate otherwise he is quiet and peaceful. He greets you warmly every time you come home. My pet has an Instagram account. Please follow Peanut the Poodle at https://www.instagram.com/peanut_thepoodle/. It's good to know that keeping a pet is good for my health too.

A quiet and simple life
Seeking excitement is for the youngsters. As for me, it is a fond memory of the younger days. Now a quiet and simple life suits me fine.

Happiness
The formula for Happiness:
Health + gratitude+ mindfulness+financial freedom+lifelong learning= Happiness
where Health =1 and the rest are zeros.
When you are not in good health the rest of the things are meaningless to you.

In his book Man’s Search for Meaning, Frankl wrote, “Happiness cannot be pursued, it must ensue. One must have a reason to be happy.”

Summary

• Be healthy and fit
• Thank gratitude always
• You may have retired from work but do not retire from living an active and meaningful life.
• A house of your own
• Sufficient fund to live and enjoy your retirement

20 Enlightening Happiness Quotes to Live By

1. Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony. -Thomas Merton 

2. It is neither wealth nor splendor; but tranquility and occupation which give you happiness.-Thomas Jefferson 

3. Happiness doesn't depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude. -Dale Carnegie 

4. Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product.-Eleanor Roosevelt 

5. Happiness is itself a kind of gratitude. -Joseph Wood Krutch 

6. Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort. -Franklin D. Roosevelt 

7. Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.-Joseph Addison 

8. Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. -Albert Schweitzer 

9. Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the afterglow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best. -Theodore Isaac Rubin 

10. Happiness, true happiness, is an inner quality. It is a state of mind. If your mind is at peace, you are happy. If your mind is at peace, but you have nothing else, you can be happy. If you have everything the world can give - pleasure, possessions, power - but lack peace of mind, you can never be happy. -Dada Vaswani 

11. It is very important to generate a good attitude, a good heart, as much as possible. From this, happiness in both the short term and the long term for both yourself and others will come. -Dalai Lama 

12. Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present. -Jim Rohn 

13. What can be added to the happiness of a man who is in health, out of debt, and has a clear conscience? -Adam Smith 

14. Are you bored with life? Then throw yourself into some work you believe in with all your heart, live for it, die for it, and you will find happiness that you had thought could never be yours. -Dale Carnegie 

15. I don't have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness - it's right in front of me if I'm paying attention and practicing gratitude. -Brene Brown 

16. My mother is a big believer in being responsible for your own happiness. She always talked about finding joy in small moments and insisted that we stop and take in the beauty of an ordinary day. When I stop the car to make my kids really see a sunset, I hear my mother's voice and smile. -Jennifer Garner 

17. I discovered that joy is not the negation of pain, but rather acknowledging the presence of pain and feeling happiness in spite of it. -Lupita Nyong'o 

18. Remember happiness doesn't depend upon who you are or what you have; it depends solely on what you think. -Dale Carnegie 

19. I am more and more convinced that our happiness or our unhappiness depends far more on the way we meet the events of life than on the nature of those events themselves. -Wilhelm von Humboldt 

20. Happiness lies first of all in health. -George William Curtis

Image source: https://pixelsquote.net/inspiring-happiness-quotes/

Surprising Ways to Be Happier Without Really Trying

Happiness doesn't just happen to you, you have to work at it. Dalai Lama

The simplicity of these science-backed happiness habits—and how easy they are to incorporate in your life—may surprise you.

Give money away.

Donating $500 has the same effect on how wealthy you feel as earning an extra $10,000 in income, a Harvard Business School study found last year. Other studies have found that donating much smaller amounts of money makes people feel pleasure. Whether it's a spare change or a higher-than-expected tax return, consider giving to a favorite charity to be happier.

Think of buying an "experience."

Earlier studies had found that spending money on experiences(ie, concert tickets, a trip) increases happiness more than shelling out for material goods; now new research show this mood lift can come from simply drafting your list. A 2014 Cornell study found that people who merely anticipate making an upcoming experiential purchase, such as ski lessons, report higher levels
 of happiness than those who plan to buy, say, a new tech gadget.

Praise someone once a day.

Try writing one email, tweet, or text of praise; people who began doing this immediately felt happier Before Happiness author Shawn Achor told Oprah. After 21 days of doing so, they reported feeling deeper levels of social support, a crucial ingredient of longevity.

Sit less.

Middle-aged women who sat for more than seven hours a day were 
47 percent more likely to show signs of depression than those who sat for four or fewer, Australian researchers found. Those who engaged in no physical activity were 26 percent more likely to have symptoms of depression three years later than those who met exercise guidelines. The research can’t prove that sitting makes you sad: It may be that people who are prone to depression are more likely to spend time sitting down. However, people who are more active may also be more likely to engage in social interactions with coworkers or neighbors.Plus, physical activity can release mood-boosting endorphins that fend off sad feelings.

Put a spring in your step.

Your gait can impact your mood, new Canadian research shows. Study participants were shown a list with both positive words (“pretty”) and negative (“afraid”), then were asked to walk on a treadmill in either a depressed style—shoulders hunched forward, arms dangling—or a more upbeat way. Hunched panelists remembered far more negative words than those who had a happier pace. Even if you don’t feel like skipping, consider the axiom “fake it till you make it.”

Plan the best for the end.

A week in a luxury hotel can feel rather ordinary by day four or five, according to Jaime Kurtz, PhD, an associate professor of psychology at James Madison University on PsychologyToday.com. If you save something special for the end of a trip, it “gives you the benefit of anticipation,” she writes. “Knowing that your final evening of vacation will be spent in a fancy hotel gives you something to look forward to, even as your trip nears its end and your return to everyday life draws depressingly closer.”What’s more, people tend to evaluate experiences like vacations by both their emotional high points as well as their endings. So even if most of the vacation was mediocre, a wonderful wrap-up can help you remember the entire trip in a more positive light.

Take a break from your favorite food.

A study in the journal Social, Psychological, and Personality Science found that going a few weeks without a beloved food—whether it's chocolate ice cream or Brussels sprouts—can help you enjoy it more.

Cherish ordinary moments.

Common-but-lovely experiences, such as a nice walk home from the office or an unprompted hug from your kid, may bring you more happiness in the future than you might think, according to recent research in the journal Psychological Science. "People find a lot of joy in rediscovering a music playlist from months ago or an old joke with a neighbor, even though those things did not seem particularly meaningful at the moment," psychological scientist and lead researcher Ting Zhang of Harvard Business School said in a press release. "The studies highlight the importance of not taking the present for granted and documenting the mundane moments of daily life to give our future selves the joy of rediscovering them."

Pick up a paintbrush.

Tapping into your artistic side may bolster your ability to fend off stress. According to new research reported by Prevention, newly retired adults who would paint or draw once a week for 10 weeks showed more mental resilience (for example: not snapping at your spouse for no reason or getting impatient during traffic). “Creating visual art improves the connections between brain regions associated with resilience, likely because it’s an activity that calls for integrating cognitive, motor, and creative skills,” the magazine reported.

Cue up the bass.

Music with a strong bass can make you feel more powerful and motivated, according to recent Northwestern University research. People who tuned into bass-heavy songs, for example, were twice as likely to go first in a debate as those who didn't, Good Housekeeping reported. For high-power beats, think Queen’s upbeat anthem “We Will Rock You” or 2 Unlimited’s “Get Ready for This.”

Source: http://www.pakistanherald.com/blog/4035/24-01-2015/surprising-ways-to-be-happier-without-really-trying

30 Best Quotes about Life and Happiness You Like

1. Live-decently, fearlessly, joyously- and don't forget that in the long run, it is not the years in your life but the life in your years that counts! -Adlai Stevenson 

 2. Happiness isn’t about what happens to us — it’s about how we perceive what happens to us. It’s the knack of finding a positive for every negative and viewing a setback as a challenge. If we can just stop wishing for what we don’t have, and start enjoying what we do have, our lives can be richer; more fulfilled — and happier. The time to be happy is now. -Lynn Peters. 

3. One thing I learn about happiness: It's made, not found. If you want to be happy, you must create it yourself. - Wilson Kanadi 

4. True happiness involves the full use of one's power and talents. -John Gardner 

5. Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. -Albert Schweitzer 

6. Unhappiness is the hunger to get; happiness is the hunger to give. . . . If the individual should set out for a single day to give happiness, to make life happier, brighter and sweeter, not for himself but for others, he would find a wondrous revelation of what happiness really is.-William George Jordan 

7. Life can be found only in the present moment. The past is gone, the future is not yet here, and if we do not go back to ourselves in the present moment, we cannot be in touch with life. -Thich Nhat Hanh 

8. Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy -- because we will always want to have something else or something more.- David Steindl-Rast 

9. Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. -~Joshua J. Marine 

10. Never walk away from failure. On the contrary, study it carefully and imaginatively for its hidden assets.- Michael Korda 

11. Desire is the key to motivation, but it's the determination and commitment to a relenting pursuit of your goal-- a commitment to excellence--that enable you to attain the success you seek. -Mario Andretti 

12. It is better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.-Jackie Joyner-Kersee 

13. Life is a grindstone. Whether it grinds us down or polish us up depends on us. -L. Thomas Holdcroft 

14. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.-Ralph Waldo Emerson 

 15. Getting what you go after is success, but liking it while you are getting it is happiness. -Bertha Damon 

16. You are a success when you have made friends with your past, are focused on the present, and are optimistic about your future. -Zig Ziglar 

17. As soon as you are complicated, you are ineffectual. -Konrad Adenauer 

18. Life itself is a party; you join after it's started, and you leave before it's finished. -Elsa Maxwell 

19. Love lights more fire than hate extinguishers. -Ella Wheeler Wilcox 

20. A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. -Mignon McLaughlin  

21. You can't build a reputation on what you're going to do.-Henry Ford 

22. The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you. -Mae Maloo 

23. Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.-Lucille Ball 

24. If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow. -Author unknown 

25. Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true. - Leon Joseph Suenens 

26. It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy what we have, that makes happiness. - Charles H. Spurgeon 

27. Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present. -Jim Rohn 

28. The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof.  - Barbara Kingsolver 

29. Happiness comes when your work and words are of benefit to yourself and others. -Buddha 

30. I have found no greater satisfaction than achieving success through honest dealing and strict adherence to the view that, for you to gain, those you deal with should gain as well. -Alan Greenspan

10 Productive Ways to be Happy

Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions. 

Dalai Lama XIV

You are responsible for your own happiness. It is a by-product of your positive mental attitude and doing the right things in life. Be wise and choose the productive ways to happiness:  

1.     Calmness: You are in a state of tranquility and serenity. Your mind is clear and you can do things with concentration and make decisions wisely. Calmness, like meditation, is a great source of good health and happiness.

Learn to be calm and you will always be happy.

Paramhansa Yogananda

2.     Gratitude: It is about appreciating what you have. You are contented with your life. You think of all the goodness in life. Gratitude is living in abundance and happiness is about satisfaction. 

We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.
Frederick Keonig

3.     Kindness: Be kind to yourself and to others. Be compassionate and speak kind words. Seek forgiveness instead of vengeance. Kindness promotes peace of mind and happiness within.

I believe compassion to be one of the few things we can practice that will bring immediate and long-term happiness to our lives.
Dalai Lama

4.     Positive mindset: Be optimistic, look at the bright side of things. Positive thinking motivates you to be more confident in yourself. Happiness is about self-assurance and hopefulness of the future.  

Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, good things, and good people will be drawn to you.
Mary Lou Retton

5.     Relationships: A family is a great support system. Your spouse and children are your sources of happiness.  One sure way to be happy is to connect with positive people, reaching out to others for mutual benefits, and sharing happiness. 

“To be kind to all, to like many and love a few, to be needed and wanted by those we love, is certainly the nearest we can come to happiness.
Mary Stuart

6.     Health: Take care of your health by taking care of your body. Exercise daily, follow a balanced diet, and get enough sleep. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Be an early riser to welcome a new day with energy and happiness.  

Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory.

      Albert Schweitzer

7.     Living in the moment: The way to be happy is to focus on the task at hand and live life from moment to moment. Increase your flow experiences by working without distractions.  Go slow, notice and pay attention to your surroundings. The present is all you have to savor, enjoy and be happy. 

8.     Learn new things: Stimulate your mind and beat boredom by learning new things and reading widely. You will find happiness when you immerse yourself by reading a good book.    

9.     Meaning in life: Follow your vision and aspirations. Create a mission statement and be passionate about your goals in life. You will look forward to each new day with excitement and happiness because you enjoy what you do.

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.
Herman Cain

10.                        Resilience: Life is not a bed of roses. Learn a few strategies to cope with setbacks and problems in life. Overcoming obstacles is to extend your comfort zone. You will be stronger and happier.

The happiest people in the world are those who feel absolutely terrific about themselves, and this is the natural outgrowth of accepting total responsibility for every part of their life.
Brian Tracy

10 Simple Things You Can Do to Make You Happy

Happiness is about what you think and what you decide to do. Thinking and doing the right things will bring you happiness abundantly. Here are 10 simple things you can do to make yourself happy: 

1.       Think positive thoughts: When you get up in the morning just make up your mind and decide to have a happy day. This is a choice for you to radiate joyfulness throughout the whole day. Happiness will transform a normal day into a delightful day in whatever you do.

Happiness is a conscious choice, not an automatic response. ~Mildred Barthel

2.         Exercise: According to an article, Exercise Makes Us Happy -- It's Science, We know that regular fitness is good for the heart and that it can help the body to build muscles and maintain a healthy weight. But it also spurs the release of endorphins, those feel-good chemicals that promote happiness. So, stop watching TV, get up and be active.

3.       The great outdoors: Spending time in nature is a great way to feel good and relaxed, be it on the beach, in the county, up the mountain, or down in the valley.

4.       Spend time with family and friends: Happiness is connecting with people close to you. Happiness is also about spending money on your friends like going to a movie or enjoying tea in the afternoon.

5.       Sleep well: Happiness is about sweet dreams. A good night’s sleep rejuvenates and energizes you. You are fresh and alert the next day. You feel good about yourself and you are in control.

6.       Be grateful:  Be appreciative of the things that you have. Don't be jealous and envious of others. Just think that you are better off than many other people. Comparisons will disturb your peace of mind and calmness. Write a few things that you are grateful for in your journal in the evening to end a day happily. 

7.       Start a new day early: According to an article, Early Risers are Happier, Healthier and More Productive Than Night Owls,  early risers are generally happier than night owls. More than 700 respondents, ranging from ages 17-79 were surveyed and asked about their emotional state, health, and preferred time of day. Self-professed morning people reported feeling happier and healthier than night owls. Morning people are more productive and they get the most important things done. Happiness is starting a new day early and be more productive.

8.       Read and learn new things: Reading inspires, educates, enlightens, and motivates you. Every time you learn something new it gives you the Aha moment. Happiness is the excitement of discovery and realization.

9.       Do good: You will find the greatest joy in kindness. Find every opportunity to help others. Perform random acts of kindness like smiling and waving at people you meet, holding the door for the person behind you, saying think you to the cashier, and complementing your friend for her new dress.

10.    Live every moment: According to an article, Why You Should Treasure Apparently Mundane Moments in Life, it’s worth bearing in mind our tendency to undervalue the pleasure we will get in the future from what seems like everyday moments right now. Focus on what you do every day, concentrate on the task at hand, enjoy every moment in life, and turn an ordinary day into an extraordinary experience.

If you are not happy here and now, you never will be. ~Taisen Deshimaru

Are you doing things that make you happy?

10 Reasons Why You Are Not Happy

We create our own unhappiness. The purpose of suffering is to help us understand we are the ones who cause it. - Willie Nelson

Unhappiness is about negativity. Instead of looking at the bright side of things your outlook is gloom and doom, you respond to things with a negative mindset. Here are the ten sins of your unhappiness:

1.     Focus on your regrets and fears: You can’t undo your wrongdoings in the past and your fears about the future are not happening now and may not happen at all. Treasure the present moment, it is the only time you can do your best to create a better future with the bitter lessons you have learnt from the past. Focus on doing what is important in your life and celebrate at the end of each day what you have achieved for the day.  

        

2.     Negative thoughts: When your thinking is negative, quickly switch your thoughts with a positive perspective. Views problems as challenges and setbacks as training to boost your resilience. Positive thoughts motivate you and provide the energy for you to take action.     

3.     Purposeless living: You do not like your job but you do not know what you want in life. Find out what inspires and interests you. Identify your hobbies. Your purpose in life is what you can do to make you proud and happy.

“I'm not unhappy," he said. "Only people with no purpose are unhappy. I've got a purpose.” -  Cassandra Clare, City of Bones

4.     Unhealthy lifestyle: Bad habits like smoking, drinking, getting up late, procrastinating, eating junk food, and sitting all day watching TV are a drain of your energy. Get outdoors, move your body, breathe in the fresh air and bathe under the sun. You will be more alert, energetic, and feel good about yourself.        

5.     Negative energy: Complaining, getting angry, and holding grudges do more harm to yourself than to others. Be kind to yourself and to others. Forgive and adopt an attitude of gratitude. Peace of mind promotes happiness.

6.     Compare yourself and your life to others: The only thing you get out of comparison with others are jealousy and discontentment.  Improve yourself and get better with each passing day. In this way you will feel more confident and happy about your own progress in life.

7.     Living beyond your means: It is like trying to follow the lifestyle of others and get into debt. It brings misery and anxiety. Live the way your financial resources allow you. Happiness is debt-free. 

8.     Low self-esteem: Do not just look at your weaknesses only and ignore your strengths. We are all not perfect; we make the best use of what we have and do what we can do. Love yourself and put your best foot forward.  Be cheerful and greet the world with a broad smile every day. Research shows that the more you acknowledge your past successes, the more confident you’ll become in taking on new challenges. 

9.           Not reaching out: Unhappiness is about loneliness and isolation. 

     Find people who are cheerful and get along with them. 

     They will lift your spirits up.

     According to an article, Is modern life making us lonely, 

     loneliness not only makes 

     us unhappy, but it is bad for us.  

     It can lead to a lack of   confidence and mental 

     health problems   like depression, stress and anxiety.

10.     Negative influences: Reading newspapers and watching TV only disturb your mind and zap your energy because sensational news like violence and crime dominate the mass media. Read more motivational books and articles to fortify your positive outlook in life.

Conclusion

You are responsible for your own life. You are in control. When you decide to be happy nobody can stop you.  You can make positive changes and get positive results. Think happy and be happy.

I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition - Martha Washington