With football season almost over, spring training for baseball just around the corner, and us smack dab in the middle of basketball and hockey season, there are sports galore almost 24/7. And what you watch, read, or listen to among these myriad sports cornucopias makes you... you.
While my twin and I played some Little League baseball growing up, in high school we were more interested in band and chorus. While friends and classmates were slogging it out on the football field, we were in the marching band performing halftime shows as well as the Star-Spangled Banner at the beginning of each game. After that season was over, it was concert band and chorus competitions, while our sports-oriented classmates switched to basketball and baseball.
While we enjoyed all the music programs, going to all the games to perform instilled a love of sports as spectators. More than that, it instilled a desire for competition. There were regional band contests where winners went on to compete at the state level. Those winners then advanced to national competitions. We were once lucky enough to be among those winners.
As a result, we were invited to tour Europe, performing concerts in several countries and culminating in a performance at the Graz, Austria, Music Festival. Not many (if any) high school sports teams get to tour Europe. We returned from that trip the envy of all our classmates. But the greatest reward was the personal satisfaction of having accomplished something as winners.
So no matter what your desire is or was, and how you participated, whether as a team member or even as a spectator - these events in your life made you... you. And that competitive spirit continues to serve us well today.
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 story about finding competition in unexpected places really resonates with me. That same competitive spirit he talks about is exactly what helps people succeed in retirement planning today. Think of it this way: whether you're trying to maximize your Social Security benefits, choose the right Medicare Supplement plan, or decide when to start taking Required Minimum Distributions from your 401k at age 73, you're competing against time and inflation to make the best choices.
Here's the good news - just like David's band competitions had clear rules and stages, retirement planning has its own roadmap. For 2026, that means knowing you can contribute up to $23,000 to your 401k if you're under 50, or $30,500 if you're 50 or older with catch-up contributions. Most people are surprised when they learn that the Social Security Administration calculates your benefits based on your highest 35 years of earnings, so every year of smart planning can improve your score.
The personal satisfaction David felt from winning? You'll get that same feeling when you see your retirement strategy working exactly as planned.