The harvest of old age is the recollection and abundance of blessing previously secured. – Cicero
Did you manage to secure an abundance? Or did you not plan ahead?
What does that mean?
This is another saying based on the concepts of agriculture. Harvesting is what you do at the end of the season, as winter approaches. This is the basis of the quote.
It says as we come into old age, one of the things we have left are our memories. Our memories, or what is left of them, is easy enough to understand, and anyone who has asked a question of an older person, who was in the mood to share, understands this.
The other thing we have in our old age is the portion of what we made in our working years. Specifically the portion we saved or invested. Those who spent most of it when they were young will likely have less than those who saved and invested a larger portion.
Why is preparations for our ‘autumns’ important?
Well, if you’ve ever heard the parable of the ant and the grasshopper, you have a clue, right? Eventually, things will start to get tougher for us. Medical bills, spending on a fixed income, home repairs, all these things take money.
Yeah, it’s fun to spend it when you have it, but what about later? This blog isn’t about financial planning. There are plenty of those on the net, although I would look for a professional in my area. This blog is about examining our lives.
My planning is good, but my execution isn’t quite as good. I’m on a pretty good course, but fewer meals out, fewer toys, and less music would have made things a little easier. But that’s hindsight.
Examine where you are today, and what you have to do to get to where you want to be. Again, I’m no expert. Seek out an expert, and plan your future. If you don’t have a goal, at what will you take aim?
Where can I apply this in my life?
This quote seems to be mainly about financial future, and living well in our later years. However, I believe it applies to other areas as well.
Consider any phase of our lives. What do you harvest when you get out of High School? You have your memories, even if you want to forget most of them. You also have the ‘blessings’ you previously secured. That is your grades and what you actually remember from your classes. Same for College.
What do you harvest when your kids move out? You have your memories, even if you want to forget a few of them. You also have the ‘blessings’ you previously secured. That is the knowledge that you have done what you can, and that they are as prepared for life as you could get them to understand.
Those are fairly obvious. What other, smaller, things could this apply to in your life? I believe it applies to each and every project or event in our lives. What do you get at the end of a vacation? Memories, and the experiences of the trip. Relaxing on the beach or hang-gliding off a cliff.
The same goes for each of our projects over the years. What we get are the memories, and the experiences and results of our work. Whatever we build, make, organize, or otherwise work on, that is our result. I imagine you can think of one or two projects you still enjoy. I still have my bookcases.
What are you going to do to secure your future? Are you going to save or invest some more money for your autumn? Will you work on your car, build a bookcase, or fix something, so that it is still there when you get to your autumn? What are you able to do now, and what are you willing to learn?
Time passes. Eventually we will as well. What are you doing now to make your autumn years more pleasant? What blessings are you securing so that there is an abundance later on? Whether it is small projects or your life goals, there are always things to do.
Life is all about choices. What do you choose to do for your future? There are many options, many paths, which lead to a pleasant future. What will you do? Have you even thought about it? When might be a good time to start?
From: Twitter, @philo_quotes
confirmed at : http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/marcustull156312.html
Photo by Chandimal Pathirage
Related articles
- Resurgence of Self-Sufficiency (modernhomesteaders.net)
- Picking and Preserving (jones28092.wordpress.com)
- Retiring soon? Don’t forget tax implications (dominicantoday.com)
- What Season Of Life Are You In? (Continued) (aocfinancialblog.com)
