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Greetings! From each monthly e-zine that we produce, we learn something new. What I learned this month was how I could know someone for decades, yet not really know him. For this issue, we interviewed a friend I have known for close to four decades and was unaware of much of what I learned during our talk. As a result of my new insights, I now see our interviewee as a very social, kind, caring person who, through his discovery and sharing of his passion, has truly made a difference in the world. He is living an exciting life. How great is that! The lesson made me think about how valuable it would be to sit and talk in depth with people we think we know so well. You can start by asking fellow retirees if retirement is what they thought it would be, and go from there. Most people are not reticent to share their thoughts--and you may end up with an entirely different appreciation of your friend as a result. Give it a try; talk to your friend(s). Happy May, Gail and Ed
------------------------------------------- Don't forget to check what your passion is, click here to take our FREE preliminary passion test, the test we give those who sign up for Discover Your Passion coaching with us. You may find your answers right there. If you want to go further, sign up for the 30-day Explore Your Passion course, which will be available next month. Check out our website, Retired-NextPhase.com. |
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THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH
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"Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many."
Author Unknown
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Frank Mulvaney, the Jazz Man
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After 36 years working in an intellectually challenging financial services job, Frank Mulvaney is now retired and working harder than ever and loving every minute of it.
In his pre-retirement job Frank, who has an MBA from NYU, was a Vice President/Sales Force Information Resources Manager for a large financial services company encompassing responsibilities for reporting, tracking and detailed historical record keeping in connection with all the administrative functions essential to the management of a nationwide financial services sales force utilizing the most sophisticated and complex computer database in the industry at the time.
He was in charge of a producer data base which included 11,000 sales producers. His company's data base was revolutionary in the business. They tracked every bit of information about products, and as owners of vast amounts of information, class action suits were common, which positioned Frank to deal with lawyers, situations he enjoyed. He finally retired in 2002.
When asked if retirement is what he expected, Frank responded, "It's better than what I had expected!" He found that he enjoys taking advantage of opportunities that pop up and being in charge of his time. His intention was to study piano and learn languages. He did a little of both, taking five different language courses at the local college.
Because he and his wife, Kathy, belonged to the opera, Frank decided to learn Italian. He took three courses. The Rutgers Adult Extension program offered fundamental tourist-type courses in languages in which he did quite well, earning an A. His challenge was the course in Chinese. He believes that you have to know a little about the language of a country in order to understand their culture.
Frank's passion, although unbeknownst to him for many years, is jazz. He's always been attracted to the sounds, albeit in an unsophisticated way. He loved Ellington, Basie, Dave Brubeck, the bassa nova era, percussion, harmonic brass, and was a Big Band junkie especially when he realized he could hear harmonies and blends that many others don't or can't hear. He "feels" it! In spite of his eclectic interests, Frank found that the commonality of his passion is music.
When Frank retired, his son, Sean, was 26 years old and still living at home. One night Sean asked Frank if he wanted to go out for a couple of beers. Frank was delighted to have the opportunity to spend time with his son. They went to a place in Garwood, NJ, the Crossroads, and Frank's life changed for forever. The enlightening experience and his penchant for the sounds of jazz caused him to become part of the furniture on Tuesday nights.
Meeting a lot of young, struggling musicians and learning how these bright, talented professionals are composers as well as players fascinated Frank who, as a child, could not afford to take lessons.
Even before Frank retired, he became involved with the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corp. in Garfield, NJ. Kids from 27 states are involved with the Corp. They tour for two months every summer, and have three to four weeks training camps in the May. He loved what the activity did for the young people. Winter camps in Tetterboro, NJ, were held and Frank volunteered. People came to volunteer from all over the world. He even worked as coordinator of the Marching Band Show for the past five/six years.
After becoming friendly with Stan Myers, host and emcee at the Crossroads, Frank learned about the New Jersey Jazz Society and became a member. In 2006, he wrote a note to the president of the Society, asking about their newsletter's lack of coverage of the great "stuff" going on at the college level. His obvious interest in jazz got him elected to their Board in 2007 where he became their scholarship chairman, a position which gave him legitimacy to connect with the universities that offered jazz programs.
Today Frank is president of the New Jersey Jazz Society, one of the largest organizations of its kind in the country with nearly 900 members and an award-winning monthly magazine, producing three or four major jazz events annually and co-sponsoring numerous other such events in addition to monthly membership concerts of established and emerging artists.
Frank writes for their monthly newsletter, Jersey Jazz. With children, grandchildren, and a mother-in-law living in California and with on-going jazz festivals frequently occurring, Frank is busier than when he held a nine to five job. He also reads two newspapers a day, is a political junkie, is very interested in economics and finance, is a serious tennis player and biker.
He enjoys the opportunity to attend the numerous jazz functions associated with his present position, and he particularly enjoys getting to know so many new people, especially those associated with the jazz community. Jazz band manager was clearly one of Frank's biggest activities during his retirement. At about the same time that he joined the Board of the NJ Jazz Society, he took on the role of a jazz band manager for some younger people whose talent he strongly believed in. For four years he promoted the band throughout northern and central jersey - a generally rewarding and satisfying but also frustrating experience which provided an enlightening understanding of the world of jazz musicians.
At the end of our interview, Ed summarized the essence of what he heard as he listened to Frank; namely, what Frank has been doing goes beyond enjoying his association with jazz. From numerous references he made about younger people and supporting the development of young people, Frank, in essence, is "giving back." What greater satisfaction is there for someone who has had the opportunity to live a life he is proud of, has been successful in, and now has the opportunity to share by returning the effort to help others!
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BOOK REVIEW - DOING WHAT YOU LOVE, LOVING WHAT YOU DO
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Robert Anthony's book, Doing What You Love, Loving What You Do, is one of the most influential books in my library. It was well worth the time it took to type my underlines and notes. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. Because of its length, only one part will be presented at a time. ENJOY!!
DOING WHAT YOU LOVE, LOVING WHAT YOU DO
DR. ROBERT ANTHONY
HAPPINESS THROUGH VISUALIZATION. Negative visualization will, of course, lead to negative results. People who walk around constantly complaining about life tend to lead lives that justify their complaints. The decision to change your life and to accept happiness is not always an easy one to make. Quite often, it will take a crisis to bring about this change, something that literally drives you to the point of desperation!
Once you are motivated to change, you can expect several things to happen. First, you will acknowledge that there is something missing in your life, and before very long, you will be able to identify what it is.
Once you know what you really need and want, you will start thinking about how you can get it. In the process, you will identify the sources of your personal power, quite possibly recognizing them for the very first time. You will also learn how to make commitments to yourself that will greatly enhance your life. And finally, you will be elated with your new-found courage to DO and BE.
As each new plateau is reached, it is good to sit down and meditate on the good things, the many positive things that have happened. Success is an ongoing journey. You are succeeding for as long as you continue to move ahead.
Your New Year's resolutions will teach you a lot about yourself. One thing you will learn and certainly need to learn is whether you are consistently trustworthy and supportive of your own growth.
* Are you capable of keeping the promises you make to yourself?
* Have we any right to demand qualities in others that we are not also prepared to demand in ourselves?
You can begin to meld yourself into that person today by giving up whatever is actually interfering with your happiness. A successfully executed contract always includes a viable plan.
* First you must know exactly what you want.
* Next, it is necessary to determine what available resources you have and what specific steps must be taken. You are here for a reason! There is something you need to accomplish. I urge you to begin today - to look at your dreams and become what you have always wanted to be.
NEXT MONTH:
TURN ON YOUR DREAM MACHINE
Read more book summaries on our website.
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FINDING YOUR CALLING. . .
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from Scott Dinsmore's www.LiveYourLegend.net
* If you could have or do anything, what would it be?
* What topics do you find yourself continuously arguing or defending with others? What beliefs does your stance represent?
* What makes you most angry about the state of the world? With unlimited resources, how could you fix it?
* What are you most afraid of for the next generation, whether you have kids or not?
* What do you love helping people with? How do you most commonly help others?
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LOOKING BACK
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SCHOOL - 1957 VS. 2012Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.
1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college and becomes a successful businessman.
2012 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy is removed to foster care and joins a gang. The state psychologist is told by Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has an affair with the psychologist.
Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school
1957 - Mark shares his aspirin with the Principal out on the smoking dock.
2012 - The police are called and Mark is expelled from school for drug violations. His car is then searched for drugs and weapons.
Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from the Fourth of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle and blows up a red ant bed.
1957 - Ants die.
2012 - ATF, Homeland Security and the FBI are all called. Johnny is charged with domestic terrorism. The FBI investigates his parents - and all siblings are removed from their home and all computers are confiscated. Johnny's dad is placed on a terrror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.
Should we go back in time??????
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WHAT YEAR IS IT ?
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WHAT YEAR IS IT ?
* Gas is .40 a gallon
* A stamp is .08
* The voting age is lowered to 18 yrs.
* Federal Express becomes available for the first time.
* Jim Morrison of The Doors is found dead in Paris
* Rod Stewart has a big hit with "Maggie Mae"
* Lance Armstrong is born.
* Texas Instruments announces the first Pocket Calculator.
* IBM introduces the Floppy Disk.
* The French Connection is a huge hit in theaters.
Answer found following "Take a break, and laugh about it...."
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LOOKING BACKHeadline
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| CLICK AND LISTEN
What memories come to mind as you listen??
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TAKE A BREAK AND LAUGH ABOUT IT.....
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"SENIOR CITIZEN EXERCISE PROGRAM"
I felt like my body had gotten totally out of shape, so I got my doctor's o.k. to join a fitness club and sign up for an exercise class. I decided to take an aerobics class for seniors. I bent, I twisted, I gyrated, I jumped up and down for an hour. But, by the time I got my leotard on the class was over.
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_____________________________________________________________________ ANSWER TO THE QUIZ ABOVE....
1971
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Profit From Your Passion - a thirty-day E-course
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Retire to Your Passion!! Treat yourself to a thorough review of all of your likes, dislikes, successes, challenges, and everything that has made you who you are today. Find not only what most interests you but also what your purpose in life is. In thirty lessons, you will unlock the secrets of who you really are. To learn more, visit our website.
Introductory Price: $97 - AVAILABLE NOW!
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Rightsizing Your Life
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Gail Cassidy, gail@coachability.com; (908) 654-5216
http://www.Coachability.com
Ed Topar, edtopar@gmail.com |  |
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