THE SIX TYPES OF WEALTH – PART 6: SPIRITUAL WEALTH
How do you discover the secret to a meaningful retirement? By aligning your internal and external life to your values – here’s how.
Traditionally, the concept of spirituality referred to a set of religious beliefs. The concept of spirituality has evolved in modern society to one where spirituality is referred to as a quest to find meaning and purpose and a way to connect to something larger than oneself.
There is no single, widely agreed-upon definition of spirituality. The topic of spirituality can include inner harmony, concern for others, ethical living, human psychology, connection to a higher power, or a sense of harmony with the universe. Everyone is entitled to choose their own way of experiencing and embracing spirituality.
Humans are diverse, so is spirituality. That is why we find so many different religions and beliefs. It is not for us to criticise or judge each other, as we often do when this topic is discussed. Let’s respect others’ beliefs and their spiritual lives.
Internal and external spirituality
The concept of spirituality can be broken into two distinct categories: internal and external spirituality.
Internal spirituality is about living in alignment with one’s personal values. It has no religious connotations and does not require a belief in a higher power. Your personal values belong to you. Sit down and think about your personal values.
What is important to you?
How will you protect what is important to you?
What are your boundaries, and which of them will you not tolerate others overstepping?
How do you participate in your community?
How will you react to others in different circumstances?
Importantly, what are the non-negotiables? What will you not do?
What boundaries will you not overstep?
External spirituality focuses on a connection to an outward essence, which may be a higher power, humanity, nature, or the universe. This form of spirituality can be a difficult topic when people are not aligned and hold different beliefs. This is where we need to respect each other’s views and beliefs without criticism. As I mentioned, we are diverse and entitled to our opinions.
When our actions and behaviour reflect our values, life feels good and people experience a sense of satisfaction and contentment. Likewise, when our actions and behaviour don’t match our personal values, life can feel awkward or “out of sorts”, resulting in stress and internal conflict. Adjusting to retirement can be much easier when you develop a plan and lifestyle that honour your values.
It is important to note that a person’s values are relatively stable throughout one’s life; however, values can change.
Values can help structure your life and help you respond to and face challenging situations.
Defining one’s values should be an ongoing process that is revisited regularly.
It is also important to note that there are people who are not spiritual at all but even they should have values too.
The no regrets retirement plan
Do the following exercise and see if your perspective has changed at the end of it:
Let your mind go and dream big and bold for a moment. If there were no limitations, what would your perfect retirement look like?
How much wealth would you like to have accumulated?
How much income would you like to live on each year?
What car(s) will you drive?
Will you travel?
Where will you live? Will you have a holiday home?
What hobbies and leisure activities will you enjoy?
What will you do with your time?
What hopes and dreams have been on hold until retirement? How will these fit into your perfect day and perfect week? Write them down and be specific about your definition of a perfect retirement and what your perfect day and perfect week will look and feel like.
Imagine that the day after you retire, you hear that you have only five more years to live. Your life has just been cut short by 20+ years, and your perfect retirement has vanished.
How will your life change?
What will your focus in retirement now be?
Describe what you would like to accomplish, see, say, or do during your final years.
Suppose that during a medical check-up your doctor informs you that you have just 48 hours to live, ask yourself: (write down your answers)
What hopes and dreams will you have to let go of?
What do you wish you had accomplished, seen, felt, said, or experienced just one more time?
What regrets would you have?
The above exercise makes us aware that even though we plan for a 20+ year retirement, we may actually only have a few days left. This changes our perspective from making retirement perfect to what will make retirement meaningful.
Give retirement more meaning by treating each day as if it could be your last. None of us anticipates dying before our 80s.
At a recent reunion of our “army” days, we commemorated those who have passed away since we finished national service in 1980 (45 years ago). Today, we are all around 65/66 years old. We were a small unit of some 91 men. To my shock, 33 of our mates have passed. That hit home hard. More than a third of our E Coy mates have passed, and we are only 66 years old.
Do you feel that you are not living out your top values? If you answer yes, identify your top values and change your lifestyle. Don’t regret not having lived life according to your top values.
Benefits of a spiritual life
Whether through meditation, organised religion, or a personal relationship with a higher power, the resulting spiritual connection may provide benefits for those transitioning to retirement.
It provides context for their life by defining the values and virtues they uphold.
A spiritual life can help forge new connections or strengthen old ones.
A spiritual life may provide solace and reflection during difficult times.
It may help a person find comfort and make sense of the meaning of life and death.
It’s not unusual for people to rely on their faith or to find the need to turn to religion and/or spirituality for strength and help with life’s challenges..
It is not my place to be a spiritual advisor or to provide spiritual answers. It is for you to explore what’s important to you and decide whether you want to integrate religion and/or spirituality into your life.
For some, spiritual wealth will carry more weight than for others within the six different types of wealth. It is another arrow in your quiver to help you mould a balanced, enjoyable life and retirement.
For those not interested in external spirituality, focus on your inner spirituality and define your personal values and live by them. Doing this will make your life more meaningful.
