In your lifetime, you've probably seen some beautiful things. What were they, who was with you, and when did this happen? These experiences and memories make up your essence and make you... you.
While visiting over 40 countries in my life, I've had the opportunity to see many beautiful things. I have seen almost as many beautiful man-made 'things' as Mother Nature-made things!
Mother Nature's Beautiful Things
Mother Nature's beautiful things... where to begin... How about the beaches of Hawaii, the waterfalls of Costa Rica, Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa, rafting through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River, cruising through Alaska, and simple things like Autumn in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia. The beauty of sunrise when the mist is burning off above the grasslands in Kenya, or a sunset in the Arizona Sonoran Desert with an array of all the colors of the rainbow as the sun changes the scene by the minute as it sinks on the horizon.
Man-Made Beauty
Man-made beauty is an endless parade of places, buildings, art, and theater. The Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, The Eiffel Tower in Paris, Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, The Ayasofya Camii in Istanbul, and the view from Montserrat Monastery in Spain, where you can visit the Black Madonna.
When viewing the classics and contemporary productions, art opens a whole other gender of beauty. Erte and Yamagata are two of my favorite modern artists. And a day spent at the Louvre Museum in Paris can give you all the classics you want in a day, including the famous Mona Lisa. Marble statues and fountains are plentiful in Italy and standing in front of the "Last Supper" painting was indeed a moving experience. The Doge's Palace in Venice is chock full of interesting items, as well as one of the largest still-intact frescos in the world.
I feel fortunate to have seen beautiful things in many places in my lifetime. But these beautiful things and experiences make up me. What about you? Your list of beautiful things and experiences are what make you... you!
By David Edge
David Edge is a retirement lifestyle writer and contributor to the ARA monthly newsletter. His articles blend personal stories with practical insights on living well in retirement.
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Easy Eddie's Take
David's travel stories really hit home for me because I talk with so many folks who wonder, "Can I afford to see the beautiful things I've always wanted to see in retirement?" The good news is that with proper planning, those bucket list experiences are often more achievable than people think. Many retirees are surprised to learn that their Social Security benefits, combined with distributions from their 401(k) or IRA accounts, can actually support meaningful travel when managed wisely.
Here's what I often suggest: think about creating a separate "experiences fund" as part of your retirement planning. Whether it's visiting the Arizona desert David mentioned (right here in our backyard!), taking that European river cruise, or simply exploring national parks with a senior discount pass, these experiences become the stories that define your retirement years. A little planning today for tomorrow's adventures can make all the difference in creating those beautiful memories that make you... you.