The End Game

[dave lackey]

Pardon me if anyone thinks this thread is meant to be depressing, it is not. It is actually the opposite.

A few weeks back, there was a thread on aging and photography. My response was opposite most in that I am in great health, watch my diet and put in five miles roadwork every day. I have lost 49 pounds in the last 6 months and have a BMI of 23.

Just this week it occurred to me that, at my age, 58, I am in the end game. Life expectancy is what, 10 years? 15 years? Who knows?

I am just now taking my interest in photography to the professional level and, simultaneously, enjoying my Nikon RF for personal pleasure.

So, what does the "End Game" mean for me?

Well, for one, it means that those young turks I see in my wake have a much more difficult life ahead of them than I do. I do not mean financially because I have no accumulated wealth. I mean that all I have to do is manage to live in good health for the next 10 or 15 years or so and do what I want to do...which means not retiring and sitting on my ass like so many do! I want to enjoy photography and help others! I am moving toward full-time professional work and writing a number of books. (Teaching at the local university became too much a couple of years ago.)

Not a bad plan.😎

Instead of worrying about how much money I can retire on and play golf and travel (which for me is far too selfish and limiting), I can be productive and teach and lot of things that will make a difference to some people. I can be happy instead of waiting, afraid, for the end.

I think the "End Game" is gonna be fun!😀

 

[mfogiel]

Great point of view Dave. Generally speaking, I envy you the 5 miles a day ( hope to be doing the same soon ) and the BMI at 23 ;-). The rest of your reasoning is as sound for someone at 58, as is for someone at 18 - do your best in the field where your passion is, help other people, and if possible, make some paid professional work on the way... Most people find this hard to do, because they raise their financial expectations ( or have them raised by the need to set up a family...) - here's a take on this from Josef Koudelka:

“I still don’t have a car, a television, a mobile phone, a wife. What I don’t have I don’t need. For me the most important thing is to wake up in the morning, feel well and go and take photographs.”

If you do what you love, and you do it for yourself and for others, you have a great time, and you are connected to others for the reward of a rich and meaningful life.

 

[Rogier]

You are sooo right!

You are sooo right!

"Instead of worrying about how much money I can retire on and play golf and travel (which for me is far too selfish and limiting), I can be productive and teach and lot of things that will make a difference to some people. I can be happy instead of waiting, afraid, for the end."

Yeah! 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

 

[shadowfox]

Dave, you've seen the light, and you've described it upliftingly.

It is the knowing-feeling that you've done the right thing, that will make a Happy Ending.

Let me salute you! To your bright and meaningful future.

 

[dmr]

Just this week it occurred to me that, at my age, 58, I am in the end game. Life expectancy is what, 10 years? 15 years? Who knows?

I don't tell my real age, but I'm not too far behind you!

However, "endgame" is not in my thoughts at all. I'm thinking of at least 25 years, assuming I don't have any major health issues {knocking on wood}. I have no plans to retire soon, and no plans to become less active than I am now. If something happens, it happens and I'll have to deal with it, but I am living life as if it will continue for some time!

 

[jan normandale]

I'm going to be working until I die and not by choice either. Still that works for me. In closing, there's still a lot photography to do before I check out.

 

[literiter]

Age is largely a matter of opinion. I'm 63 years old now and in very good health. I'm not sure I can see the end yet, anymore than I could when I was in my 20s. I don't know how many years I've got left now anymore than when I was 20.

I really only know I have now and thats all I've ever had.

Retirement is a financial possibility, but I can't see it as an option. What else is there, Golf?, mall potato?, TV?

Keep going.... the end takes care of itself.

 

[Ducky]

Since I am 73 this all sounds a bit premature if not downright silly. Anyway, good luck with the plans.

 

[rpsawin]

I saw a documentary on Health/Health Care and there was an amazing projection quoted that if in the year 2025 you were 75 years old or younger, and in reasonable condition, that with the advances being made in health care it was quite likely you would live to be 100+.

That's great news but who factored that into their retirement plans? LOL

Bob

 

[Gray Fox]

I turn 62 tomorrow and am in the process of putting together a one man wedding and special events photography business. I retired from the Army after 26 years almost 20 years ago, and have done some interesting things since, but photography has been my favorite since the early 60s. I too, am in good health, knock wood, and am going to enjoy getting out and participating in a wide range of things as often as I can get paying gigs. I covered a fund raiser Harley ride and classic car show last week to raise money for the widow of a fellow Viet Nam vet. Both were new to me and let me meet two completely different groups of people, and were a lot of fun. It was actually quite liberating knowing I was not going to make a cent. I hope to make enough that I can cheerfully do something like that for someone else once a month.

 

[sojournerphoto]

Actually, depending where you live you may expect more than 10 or 15 years of endgame - all else being equal. Enjoy it to the full

Mike

 

[M. Valdemar]

Oh, come off it. Aging is miserable. There's nothing good about it.

 

[literiter]

Oh, come off it. Aging is miserable. There's nothing good about it.

Its true!

Life sucks... and then you die!

 

[Al Patterson]

Oh, come off it. Aging is miserable. There's nothing good about it.

True, but it sure beats being run over by a bus.

 

[oftheherd]

True, but it sure beats being run over by a bus.

Or run under by a car. 😀 😀

Me, I just try to take it a day at a time as God gives me liberty. I am in good enough health.

 

[Michael I.]

Luxury!

When I was a wee lad in Scotland we didn't have buses or cars to be run over with!

We had to lay on the road begging for a stray fuzzy cow(or however these scottish ginger buggeras are colored) to step on us or die of thirst!