Be Like George

“The secret of getting ahead is to get started”.

                                                                 Mark Twain 

Once, there was a man named George who had just retired after 40 years of hard work at a manufacturing plant. For decades, his mornings had been rushed, and his evenings spent commuting through heavy traffic. Now, with no more work schedules to keep, George found himself with an abundance of free time—but his energy was dwindling.

One day, as he sat by the window, watching cars stream by during the rush hour he used to dread, his neighbor, Lily, came over. Lily had retired a few years earlier, yet she was full of energy and life. George, curious, asked her, “What’s your secret? How do you stay so active?”

Lily smiled and said, “You know all those years we spent commuting to and from work? I realized that was time spent preparing myself for someone else’s benefit. Now, I use that time for *me*. Every morning and evening, I walk for 30 minutes—same time I used to spend in traffic. I replaced the hustle of work with something that makes me stronger.”

George hadn’t thought of it that way. He had spent so much of his life working for others that it hadn’t occurred to him that this newfound time was a gift to use for himself. The next morning, instead of sitting in his chair, George laced up his sneakers and went for a walk during the time he used to drive to work. He felt the fresh air in his lungs, the warmth of the sun on his back, and for the first time in a long while, he felt alive.

Over time, George made it a routine, replacing his old commute with walks, light strength exercises, and even yoga classes. Soon, his energy returned, his aches lessened, and he felt more connected with his body than he had in years. He realized this time wasn’t just about filling the hours—it was about preparing for a healthier, happier life ahead.

Now, George often tells other retirees, “All that time we used to spend working for someone else? It’s yours now. Use it to take care of yourself—your body, your health. It’s your time to enjoy.”

Now its your turn, be like George

Start a new journey to health