A globally distinguished symphony conductor signed a five year contract with a major record company to make four recordings a year. That may not sound unusual, but the conductor, Leopold Stokowski, was 95 at the time and the contract would have kept him busy at his demanding job until the age of 100! He died in his 96th year.
That is not an isolated instance. The concert stage seemed to be particularly crowded with octogenarians and nonagenarians. At that time, pianist Artur Rubinstein (95), violinist Jascha Heifetz (80), and guitarist Andres Segovia (88), to name just a few of the most famous. Among musicians of the past, Arturo Toscanini, the paragon of conductors, remained active to age 90, Arthur Fiedler led the famed Boston Pops orchestra until he died at 85, and Spanish cellist Pablo Casals remained the director of the Casals Festival until age 96.
In compiling a list of 35 deceased conductors, Dr. Donald H. Atlas, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of California at San Diego, noted that their average age was 73.4 years. In comparison, the average life span of American men, according to Dr. Atlas, is 68.5 years. The doctor commented that “since I have not been able to find a single death in this group at an age younger than 58, I firmly believe that these men were protected by some undetermined factors from the modern scourge of early fatal ischemic vascular disease.” Perhaps shedding some light on those “undetermined factors” were the findings published by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare in a 1973 report entitled “Work in America.” The report suggested work satisfaction and general happiness as two leading contributors to longevity.
Some 3,000 years ago, wise King Solomon observed: “I have seen that there is nothing better than that the man should rejoice in his works [enjoy his work, The New English Bible], for that is his portion.” Contrary to popular opinion that “taking it easy” may be the secret of long life, the foregoing studies and examples seem to indicate that meaningful and satisfying work can contribute to longevity. Dr. Atlas added: “I hope that the apparently fulfilling life pattern of conductors will show us how to add life to years as well as years to life.”
When contemplating the above, it is clear that the “lottery mentality” of many in miraculously becoming rich, or inheriting a large sum of money from some long lost relative, isn’t what leads to a rewarding or satisfying life. The concept of “taking it easy” actually infuriates many retirees who have always enjoyed leading very active and full lives. Some retirees resent being forced into early retirement after years of working hard for a company or corporate entity, only to discover that they now have to find a way to “keep busy”. In considering the aforementioned composers, it’s clear that these people led long lives because they were passionate about their work and they found joy from the sense of accomplishment that arises from fulfilling work.
Is your work fulfilling? Do you love your job? Are you happy with why you do what you do? We all have different reasons for choosing a particular career or line of work. The question is whether this work is truly rewarding? Is your work fulfilling you? In today’s uncertain economy we are finding that there is increasing anxiety, dissatisfaction and insecurity in the workplace. People are unsure of whether they will even have a job tomorrow. Long time loyal corporate employees have been “let go” at the first signs of instability in once formidable companies. Increasing cutbacks in staff are prevalent. The financial futures of family’s hangs in the balance. With rising debts, escalating interest rates and consumer confidence waning, it is up to each of us as individual’s to become better informed about our finances.
As more employees are laid off, many are realising that family and the more important things in life are what they value most. Those that have entered into redundancy have questioned whether they should even bother looking for another job in a dampened marketplace with high competition, and are now seeking alternatives to returning to work. Some have found their passion. Their stimulation and motivation primarily is to provide a better life for their families. These savvy individuals are cultivating their entrepreneurial mindsets and are looking to work at home rather than return to the grueling rat race.
At what stage are you in life? Are you still young and starting out? Are you a family provider? Do you have a spouse or children to support? Are you coming up for retirement or already retired? Whatever the stage in your life you do have solutions. Go from being the misinformed to the well-informed. Secure your future today and embrace your passion. Create the life you deserve and live a long, full and rewarding life today. Savvy individuals are seeking to secure their financial futures today. Will you? Follow this link here My Financial Future for further insights.
