From the CEO
Daniel Mulloy | CEO and Executive Director, ARTA
If forty is the new thirty and fifty is the new forty, why can’t Thursday
be the new Friday? unknown
I hit the big 5-0 in August.
That number grew more and
more terrifying as my birthday
loomed closer.
I normally look forward to
celebrating birthdays, but I felt
differently about this one. Since I
am now officially old and hopefully
wise, I looked back at my life and
gained a few perspectives, some of
which I will share with you. It turns
out that I have had a great journey,
with many stops yet to come.
Perspective 1 — The kids
are alright.
My children are now at an age where
I worry less about the little things
and enjoy spending quality time with
them, watching them accomplish
amazing things. Gone are the days of
teething, diaper rashes, and yelling
“Don’t put that in your mouth,” and
they have been replaced with a new
sense of pride and amazement.
Perspective 3 — I can afford it.
Luxuries used to be the name brand
macaroni and cheese, but now
luxuries have become just that —
luxuries. Vacations, new golf clubs,
or that fancy electric toothbrush have
become affordable. Hard work has
paid off, and many financial burdens
are now behind me. While I cannot
go out and buy fancy vacation homes
or yachts, I can comfortably afford
not only those things that we need
but also some of the things that we
have always wanted.
Perspective 4 — Retirement is
no longer just a dream … but a
real possibility.
I used to think that sixty-five was so
far away and the dream of retirement
was almost unimaginable, but not
anymore. Like many of you, retirement
is becoming (or has become) more
and more of a reality, and I can’t wait.
Hanging around so many cool, active,
and vibrant retirees, I look forward to
joining the ranks.
part of growing up. Now I find myself
saying the same things to my son:
“When you’re my age ….”
Perspective 6 – I can still touch
my toes.
I am not the same athlete I was
when I was eighteen, but I can still
hold my own. I am a smarter tennis
player; I don’t try to “kill” the ball
— I place it in the right spot. I don’t
try to hit a 3-iron over the trees; I
lay up on the fairway and try for
par. I may not be able to do what I
did when I was younger, but I am
still someone to be reckoned with,
and yes, I can still touch my toes
(with my knees bent).
Perspective 7 – I still have a lot
left to give and a lot of time to
do it in.
Fifty is nothing. I know some of
you are rolling your eyes saying
that I am still young and have lots
of life yet to live, and I agree. I just
Perspective 2 — I think I am
took time in this milestone year to
finally getting the hang of it.
remind myself that the journey,
Be it work, family, or figuring out
Perspective 5 — My parents
while not always easy, has been
my taxes, things are starting to
were right.
worthwhile; and the lessons learned
make sense; they are not becoming
I hate to say it, but my parents
along the way are paying dividends
easier, just more manageable. I
were right about so many things.
— great life dividends.
think that life lessons learned are
I remember them saying, “When you
If forty is the new thirty and fifty is
paying off and they are making new are our age you’ll understand” — now the new forty; then I look forward to
life experiences easier to understand I do. I wish I had paid more attention turning fifty again when I am sixty. ●
and to deal with. Things are now
to their sage advice; the mistakes I
finally starting to make sense.
could have avoided. I guess that’s all
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