“Nitapumzika nikiwa nimekufa.” I’ll rest when I’m dead” (Swahili)
“Nitapumzika nikiwa nimekufa.” I’ll rest when I’m dead”
- Introduction
- SIGN POST: I am 65. Survey says.
- What others are saying.
- Epilogue
- Introduction.
“Nitapumzika nikiwa nimekufa.” I’ll rest when I’m dead. “
Ah the rantings of a Boomer.
Post doctorate, I will have to go back and dive deeper into Gratton, Lynda, and Andrew Scott’s insightful book, The 100-Year Life. [1] The book really does touch some basics of change that the next generations will have to contend with. As a reminder of the generational categories (I am a boomer = workaholic).
Baby Boomers (Boomers) Born: 1946–1964
Generation X (Gen X) – Born: 1965–1980
Millennials (Gen Y) – Born: 1981–1996
Generation Z (Gen Z) -Born: 1997–2012
Generation Alpha (Gen Alpha) – Born: 2013–2025 (projected)
The book addresses longer life spans and how, careers, finances, health, and relationships will need to be restructured to fit a longer life, emphasizing the value of flexibility and lifelong learning.
Looking back over my personal experience. Lifelong learning has been a cornerstone for my perspective in looking forward rather than back. Truly, my educational path has been guided by God (unbeknownst by me). Every academic endeavor has set me up for the next stage of life serving Him.
- Signpost & Survey says
At age 65, I sit on the cusp of my second stage of the retirement (Stage 1 Education, Stage 2 Employment, Stage 3 Retirement)[2]. Collecting Social Security and getting Veterans disability pleasantly adds to the financial pot.
Education – (1) Bachelors – Journalism, 4 Masters – International Studies, TESOL, Global Leadership, Theology and potentially – Doctorate in Leadership
Employment – US Army, Missionary in Hungary, University teacher, Post doctorate?
Retirement – Stage 1 – University teacher, Stage 2 GoodSports Director Ukraine and Kenya.
The survey on page 244, at www.100yearlife.com confirmed my subconscious thought that I was ready for a fourth stage transition.
Productive assets
- Valuable knowledge – 4.7/5
- Peers – 4.5/5
- Reputation- 4/5
Vitality Assets
- Health – 3.7/5
- Balanced Living – 3.7
- Regenerative Friendships – 5/5
Transformational Assets
- Self-knowledge – 5/5
- Diverse Networks – 5/5
Tangible Assets – 3.9
My average = 4.39 (I asked ChatGPT to do the calculations – I no longer do math in public)
- What others are saying
There are some negative critiques about this book, “Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott’s assumed readership is one in which “as people age their income grows, as wages keep pace with inflation. Over time there are productivity gains and people get promoted and achieve greater responsibility.” This book is clearly not aimed at the typical American, for whom wages have fallen so sharply in recent decades, or for readers anywhere where the vast majority of people are never promoted to achieve great responsibility.” Says Danny Dorling of the Times Higher Education, May 26,2016. (https://www.timeshighereducation.com/books/review-the-100-year-life-lynda-gratton-andrew-scott-bloomsbury)
Some DLGP group comments:
DLGPO2, Travis Vaghn. “I would like to think that I’ve made multiple transitions over the course of my half-wayish to 100-year life. However, have I truly considered the time and resource commitment necessary for re-creation? Will I “devote considerable amounts of time to developing new skills and foresight about (work)(?)” [5] Will I rethink “leisure” to incorporate more time to “reinvigorate and retrain” [6] in my life and work rhythms? To help with this, it probably wouldn’t hurt to use the authors’ diagnostic tool on their website (https://www.100yearlife.com/diagnostic/)
While the critique of The 100 year life, claiming an over focus on the affluent in U.S. Society, I do enjoy the books parceling out the tasks that Gen X and younger need to put into their goals. This morning, I spoke to my Gen X wife about her next education step (Government grant certification). Having that “next step” focus speaks to the development of a lifelong learning habit. Each academic step prepares us for HIS plan.
DLGP03, Jennifer Eckert. “Such attention means intentionally redesigning how we think about life and time. While we all have a finite existence, we should be praying and asking God how we can make the most of the precious existence that He has entrusted to us. Each of us has been called for such a time as this; for some, they will have nearly 100 years of contributions!
Totally agree with Jennifer, but sadly I don’t remember asking God what HIS plan was for my life. High School, college, US Army seemed all ME driven rather than God driven. Still at the second retirement stage, I can see his handprints upon my life.
- Epilogue.
We were warned about leaving food out and leaving food out with small children. The quiet Slovak hills were loaded with bears who wandered into the campsite looking for snacks (little kids included). Apparently, old men with coffee cups (although I discovered bears love the smell of coffee) are less tasty. The quiet of the Kalacno forest surrounding our soccer field (substitute for a baseball field) was quiet, calming and I felt at peace with the world. Soon 200 children and staff would emerge in organized laughter and chaos, but this moment was mine.
Rare Leadership: 4 Uncommon Habits for Increasing Trust, Joy, and Engagement in the People You Lead, by Marcus Warner and Jim Wilder | Mar 18, 2016, speaks to my return to Eastern Europe this summer. Chaotic baseball and soccer drills, games, and bad camp food were knocking on my mental and spiritual door. The following I week I would be in Ukraine, then Hungary (the place of 26 years of missions’ work).
I was happy.
I also rediscovered my joy and perhaps my next stage of life’s GOD purpose – GoodSports Director for Ukraine and straight out of left field, GoodSports Kenya.
Apparently, at 65, God is not finished with me yet.
Let the games begin!
[1] Lynda Gratton and Andrew J. Scott, The 100-Year Life: Living and Working in an Age of Longevity (London; New York, NY: Bloomsbury Business, 2017).
[2] Ibid., 7.
About the Author
Russell Chun
interlinkt.org is now ready for your Refugee Resettlement needs. 15 tasks, languages ESL plans coming5 responses to ““Nitapumzika nikiwa nimekufa.” I’ll rest when I’m dead” (Swahili)”
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Thanks for you post, Russell. It made me consider how we often don’t pause to ask ourselves if we’re truly aligning with our long-term purpose and what makes you finally realize God’s handprints?
Hi Mathieu,
I have begun to see God’s fingerprints on those projects that succeed (expanding the kingdom) and the lack of his fingerprints on those projects that fail.
I am at about a 50% success/fail rate.
I am actually encouraged by this. I try to learn from my MANY mistakes I make and apply them to the adventures ahead.
Thanks for asking.
Russell,
You are definitely the “poster child” for life being re-created for the Baby Boomer. The strength of midlife is the epic switch from accumulating and climbing the ladder of success to contribution and investment. So you are correct. God is not finished with you and because of this, Ukraine is grateful.
Sir Russell, I love your well thought through posts. They are so educational. You wrote, “Every academic endeavor has set me up for the next stage of life serving Him.” Can you give me an example of how an academic endeavor has set you up for the next stage in your life?
Hi Todd,
My MA in International Relations prepped me for a world perspective that enabled me to accomplish my job as a Civil Affairs officer in Iraq.
My MA in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) prepped me for my work in Hungary setting up a language school.
MY MA in Theological Studies and Global Leadership prepped me for this DOCTORAL program.
So many other God signs, when it comes to the academics in my life.
Thanks for asking.