What To Do With All Your Knowledge
No one reaches seventy or so years of living without learning something and experiencing a whole lot. We spend decades at work and learning and sharpening our skills as we go and we get to the retirement finish line with a head packed with experiences and lessons learned that should be an asset for other people, especially the younger ones who are making their way through the journey of life. Perhaps you’ve thought about what to do with all your knowledge and experience at this point in your life. Most likely, you’ve learned other valuable lessons from parenting or a hobby or even in traveling the world. The world we live in is built upon the shoulders of those who came before us and blazed the trail in dozens of different professions and undertakings. The writings of great philosophers and the works of great mathematicians are still used today as important lessons for any student following in their footsteps. But what happens to the learning of the less glamorous or famous individuals like you and me? Does it die with us? That would be a complete waste. And I know what many readers are thinking right now: their thoughts and experiences are of no value to anyone. Nothing could be further from the truth because the thoughts and feelings of every human being should be valued and learned from. It doesn’t take much effort to prove how true that statement is.
Almost everyone recalls their English classes back in high school. As much as I hated school, I almost tolerated sitting through English and History classes. I was very surprised by how many authors struggled to get their writings published and I started to think about how many would be writers are out there that gave up during the process of writing because of a lack of acceptance. Emily Dickinson only had a handful of poems published before she died and left a trunk full of classics for us to enjoy. John Keats was only 25 when he died and considered himself a complete failure. Only later did we come to appreciate his works like “Ode to a Grecian Urn” and other masterpieces. And Anne Frank was just a young girl who kept a diary. It’s fair to say that her words have changed the lives and perceptions of many and the lines of tourists waiting to tour the place where she was captured by the Nazis in Amsterdam is proof how the thoughts and writing of one individual can change the world. When you think about what to do with all your knowledge, never underestimate the impact you can have, and the good news is that there are many ways that you can transform your knowledge into a true legacy.
When you think about what to do with all your knowledge, never underestimate the impact you can have on another person.
One of the simplest ways to turn your life’s experiences and learning into a valuable work is through writing. Whether it’s a journal or a book, poetry, short stories or a novel, your thoughts and experiences can be the spark for a creative piece of fiction or a valuable series of lessons that illustrate what you’ve learned on your journey through life. And, indeed, it is a journey that has twists and turns and valuable insights for others as you review all the events in your life that led to where you are today. What did you learn and what would you give to have started out with the knowledge that it took you a lifetime to learn? That’s the value that your experiences and learning can have for others. What do you do with all your knowledge? You package it into something that can be used by others as a textbook in their own life.
Your knowledge may be in an area that can be more easily taught to others like woodworking, art, sculpture, cooking or gardening. Our wonderful little community in the Hudson Valley has many people who spend their time volunteering and teaching others anything from how to play bridge or mahjong to how to build a canoe from scratch and retore cars that can win prizes at antique shows. These people love their hobbies, and some have turned it into a money-making pastime that keeps them engaged and energized well into their eighties. They’re not ready for the rocking chair on the porch while there are lessons to be taught and eager students who are ready to tap into the wealth of experience that they have. When you wonder what to do with all your knowledge, realize that the possibilities are endless. Write a book, start a website or create your own YouTube channel to show others what you’ve learned through decades of living. It’s a wonderful feeling when you inspire even just one person and watch the excitement it can create. You’ve got more to pass on to others than you realize. It’s time to create your own legacy. It’s time to Enjoy Retired Life!
Thanks for visiting. If you like what you see here, please tell your friends. If you haven’t done so already, be sure you take The Self Discovery Challenge for Retirement! It’s designed to help you make the most of this wonderful time of your life. You’re never too old to discover something new about yourself!
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