An Excellent, Exceptional, Elegant Boomer Life

Summary

The article discusses the pursuit of an excellent, exceptional, and elegant life for the elderly, emphasizing personal definitions of excellence, the importance of values, and the subjective nature of elegance.

Abstract

The article "An Excellent, Exceptional, Elegant Boomer Life" presents a reflective perspective on how individuals, particularly those in their later years, can achieve a life that is not only excellent and exceptional but also elegant. It challenges the notion that life is downhill post-retirement, suggesting that elders can redefine their lives by focusing on personal values and excellence without the pain of striving for unattainable perfection. The author emphasizes the importance of self-satisfaction and quality over quantity, suggesting that achieving goals and prioritizing what matters most lead to a life of excellence. Exceptionality is seen as going beyond expectations while maintaining a level of eccentricity that is both extraordinary and humorous. Elegance is described as a subjective value, unique to each individual, and can be found in both the grand and the mundane aspects of life. The article concludes by encouraging readers to be the architects of their own lives, to set personal priorities, and to live without regret, suggesting that the true measure of an excellent life is in the living of it according to one's own standards.

Opinions

Excellence is achieving the best possible outcome without the process being overly burdensome, and it is recognized both by others and through self-satisfaction.
Productivity should not be the primary focus; instead, the emphasis should be on the quality of the final product or achievement.
Exceptionality requires exceeding the

Choosing Your Best Life

Photo by Johnson Chou for Unsplash

Who says it’s all downhill from here? We elders have found a way to level the field and go beyond what retirement offers. If you’re looking for excellence & elegance in the continuing adventure of life, it can be found!

Excellence Defined

I have my own definitions of excellence and elegance, which seem to change depending on circumstances. Yet, I can be consistent with the values I hold. It is important to define one’s values.

To me, excellence is as perfect as things can get without the striving for it being painful. With my work, I reach toward perfection, while knowing that I am not perfect. So, I excel. I do my very best and am appreciated for it. Along with that appreciation, I am self-satisfied. I know I have done a good job and that my work is useful.

My rate of productivity is not my focus, but the final product is. At my age, I focus on quality over quantity and I am jogging toward life-long goal achievement. When I reach a goal, that is my excellence. I have days when I don’t find time to cook dinner, so I have a snack. That is not really excellent or elegant, but the writing I’ve done that day may be. Priorities are important.

Can one be exceptional without excelling?

Exceptionality is clearly defined for me. In order to be exceptional, something or someone must be extraordinary, unusual, outside the box and beyond what is expected. But, just because someone is eccentric, that doesn’t make them exceptional. To be exceptional, one must also excel. But you can create your own version and be perfectly content with it, even happy. But, is that exceptional?

These same standards also apply to the physical world. I am eccentric, in that I like unusual things, generally beautiful and of a certain class. But, in my home, you will also find a Sponge Bob lamp and a Winnie The Pooh alarm clock. I find that there must be some humor to an excellent environment.

How To Elegantly Define Your Life

You are the one in charge of your life. That, for many, is excellent and exceptional. How you define your life is where elegance comes in. And, that elegance can lead you to an excellent and exceptional life!

Elegance, for me, is a subjective value, based on excellence. I am a somewhat opinionated individual. Standards of taste involve several variables. What someone else values may not meet my expectations, and visa versa. For example, you will find family heirlooms all over my brother’s house, while my sister is a minimalist needing a clear space in order to feel at home. Both homes are elegant. Your goals are not mine and my needs are not yours.

A clever turn of phrase, an intimate look, a quiet, smooth ride through a snow-covered mountain pass or a purple velvet, leaf-covered cloak worn by someone walking the woods are all elegant to me. The weed in the middle of a dusty trail is just as elegant. It may be a matter of gratitude as to how you define elegance.

Final Thoughts

I must be excellent before expecting to find excellence in others. I won’t call a friend excellent without, myself, being an excellent friend. Just being nice is not enough. Anyone can have manners. But, to be an excellent friend to me, one must be a good person.

Likewise, I won’t judge someone else’s writing without knowing what is excellent, exceptional and elegant writing.

I also use my own standards of creativity in valuing someone else’s physical appearance, choice of accutremeau, entertainment, home and work choices, but only as they pertain to me and what I desire. You do you.

Set your priorities. What do you want for the rest of your life? What would you like to have, do and be? Your years as an elder are all about you and your choices. You’ve earned it, even if that choice is to focus on others. Don’t compare yourself to anyone but yourself and you have resolved the biggest dilemma of the elderly, which is regret.