Mindfulness and Retirement: Considering Brazil

I have a 17-year-old daughter who is finishing up a year in Vitoria, Brazil. She's been having the time of her life in a gorgeous coastal city with the beaches of her dreams and the cute guys to match. What's not to like?

Tara told us that we could buy a beautiful home ("All marble floors!") on a spectacular beach ("White sand!") in a number of lovely cities ("Amazing architecture!") with friendly neighbors ("Dancing all night with people who don't know you but love you anyway!")

In fact, she helpfully suggested that we could snag one of these properties for a mere $100,000...less than half of the median price for a typical house in our area.

She went on to say that we could buy a house on the coast in Brazil and retire there, with a delightful lifestyle, plenty of great friends, outstanding and inexpensive medical care, and zero chance of boredom or loneliness.

We weren't surprised that she suggested this. After all, she has an ulterior motive--why, SHE could be the one to manage the property until we decide to retire! She would, of course, have to live in beautiful, coastal, hunk-heavy, dance-crazed Brazil in order to do this, but she was willing to make this supreme sacrifice to support our perfect retirement.

How thoughtful. No, really. It sounds fantastic. I'm turning 45 in June, and that's not too early to think about how I want to spend the next few phases of my life. I truly appreciate the suggestion.

The people I admire most are those who continue to reinvent themselves about every decade, and who laugh out loud at the notion of retirement. They're on their fifth or sixth "career" and fully expect to have a couple more, just for fun.

What we really long for in retirement is time to play, and what we don't recognize is that we should be playing on a daily basis. We need to live our lives in a way that connects us to our creativity and joy. Think of it as the Brazilian plan.

How do you picture yourself at age 65? 75? 85? You've got a decent shot at living to be 100.

Howard and Marika Stone have been inspiring people to reinvent themselves as they get older. On their website, 2Young2Retire.com, they share dozens of stories of folks who have done just that. Their intention is to help others "navigate the uncharted waters of longevity" and they do so with great passion and humor.

Whether we're 20 or 70, we can use mindfulness to help us see who we want to be next. The first step? Pay attention to what we consider to be FUN. Focus on what we do that feels like we're playing instead of working. Notice our "guilty pleasures"--those things we do when we think we should be working on something else.

Here's the good news: You can get paid for having fun. You can help your community while you're doing what you can only describe as goofing off. You can learn new skills and demonstrate overlooked talents in a way that helps others while making you laugh. And it's not too early to start thinking about what that might look like.

Retire your idea of retirement and embrace the concept of reinvention. Look at what you're dreaming about doing, and be mindful of how you can start "investing" in your opportunities for greater fun. That's my personal prescription for the not-enough-Social-Security blues.

That, and perhaps finding a lovely house on the coast in Brazil, where I can become fluent in Portuguese and become a painter, or a novelist, or start a school, or build a playground, or design a community garden, or write songs, or dance til dawn, or be the happiest grandmother alive. Or all of the above.

I'll tell my daughter to start looking.

Maya Talisman Frost is a mind masseuse in Portland, Oregon. Through her company, Real-World Mindfulness Training, she teaches fun and effective eyes-wide-open alternatives to meditation. To subscribe, please visit http://www.MassageYourMind.com

---

Villa Holiday or Package Holiday

Everybody knows someone who has been on one and an... Read More

Keys to Contentment

Most of us take vacations for the express purpose of... Read More

Guide for Selecting a Villa Near Disney in Orlando Florida

This article is meant to be a guide for those... Read More

What You Need to Know about Vacation Rentals before You Go

That time of the year is finally here. You know... Read More

Vacationing in South Carolina?s Hilton Head

Families have flocked to Hilton Head, South Carolina as long... Read More

European Car Rental - Top Ten Tips For Europe Travel - Tip #1: Car Size and Type

More often than not, a person will base his or... Read More

Vacation Rentals in the Bahamas

The Bahamas serve as the perfect relaxation destination. With pristine... Read More

Owners Dont be Scammed!

Scam artists pose as potential renters everyday on many different... Read More

A Closer Look at Pigeon Forge Real Estate

Those looking to invest in real estate should not overlook... Read More

Timeshare Presentations: Scams or Opportunities

Timeshare presentations are tricky animals. They can either be an... Read More

How You Can Save Up to 50% or More on Your Next RV Rental Vacation

RV rental vacations aren't cheap, but they do contain loads... Read More

Andalucia, a Wonderful Holiday Destination

The Costa del Sol has long been one of the... Read More

Is a Vacation Rental Near Disney World the BEST Choice?

Orlando is calling to you and your family to come... Read More

The Advantages of Vacation Rentals in Costa Rica

Whether you've saved up for years for a fun family... Read More

A Look at Punta Cana Real Estate

Real Estate in an area like Punta Cana is hot... Read More

Smokey Mountain Cabins - There Is Only One!

Did you know there are no Smokey Mountain cabins for... Read More

Advantages of Bahamas Packages

For many people, the Bahamas is a dream vacation site,... Read More

Hilton Head Vacation Rentals

Hospitable to all of our visitors, rental agencies on Hilton... Read More

Is A Disneyland Vacation Right For You?

Disneyland became the very definition of a theme park and... Read More

Zambia... What an Amazing Country!

When you travel abroad, especially far away from home you... Read More

Ten Reasons to Move to the Costa Brava

After France, Spain is Europe's most popular holiday destination, and... Read More

Rent a Town Home in Orlando, Florida for LESS than Hotel

When you venture to Orlando, Davenport, or Kissimmee, Florida, why... Read More

Palmetto Dunes Plantation ? Hilton Head Island

An Award Winning Vacation, Golf, Tennis and Beach ResortIf you... Read More

Buying Real Estate in Cozumel

As beautiful and modern as Cozumel is, visitors must remember... Read More

Sea Pines Plantation - The Pearl of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Sea Pines Plantation ? The Pearl of Hilton Head IslandHilton... Read More

European Car Rental - Top Ten Tips for Europe Travel - Tip #5: Restrictions

It is a common assumption for most Americans that they... Read More

What are the Lodging Options when Visiting Orlando Florida for Our Family Vacation

Lodging Hotels in Davenport, FLThere are numerous choices for lodging... Read More

Shropshire - Englands Forgotten County

Shropshire is England's forgotten county, but it is well worth... Read More

The Ice Hotel ? Is an Ice Hotel the Ultimate in Cool Destinations?

The demand for a stay in an ice hotel has... Read More

A Guide to Cozumel Hotels

Cozumel has something to suit the tastes and budgets of... Read More

Peru-Lima, Miraflores Vacation Rentals Deals

Miraflores is the turistic district of Lima. The main hotels... Read More

Ditch The Hotel For A Villa Or Vacation Home

Two visits to Budapest. Two apartments, walking distance from downtown.... Read More

Why are Townhouse Rentals are the Way to Go when Visiting Walt Disney World

The first words that come to mind when people think... Read More