Lions and Tigers and Bears! Oh My! Conquering the Fear of Aging

Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity. They seem to be more afraid of life than death.

James F. Bymes

We all have fears. It is just part of human nature. However, there is a fear that weakens the will, prevents individuals from realizing their talents, and destroys our motivation for living a full life. It is fear of the unknown -- fear of the future.

In a scene from L. Frank Baum’s Wizard of Oz, four companions (Dorothy, Lion, Tin Man, and Scarecrow) become lost in a forested area. What frightens the travelers? There’s no threat in the environment, only the possibility of what may lie behind the trees and large rocks. Imagination takes hold, and fear - the great contagion - moves from one individual to another, until the entire group is fraught with apprehension and dread. A picture of what could lurk in the woodland is all that’s needed to change the behavior of the traveling companions. The camaraderie of happy explorers is transformed to a small group of hunched-over individuals that walk slowly, not realizing that the danger is an imagined one, and that their fear has no basis in reality.

Fear has been thrust on an aging population with warnings of doom and gloom regarding life expectancy and financial security. It seems that the former will go further than the latter. Then what will YOU do? We now have an entire industry that is dedicated in making sure that you, the future retiree, are equipped to handle the transition. If not, there is that image of the aged -- holding on to their tin cups, wrapped in tattered blankets, and begging in the streets. Or the infirm, lying forgotten in some lifeless institution. Stop! This is really scary! But that’s the whole idea. Be afraid; be very afraid, and come to me -- your financial advisor -- your fund manager -- your social security representative, and we will all ensure that you will not end up destitute. In other words, the individual is no longer capable and skilled enough to look after his own well-being. It’s in the hands of experts and the State to determine your future.

One of the great fears circulating through the world of retirement is the solvency of Social Security. Will there be enough funding to support the burgeoning workforce that will soon become the recipients of the system? Government created this monster, and its running out of food (taxes) to keep the giant alive. Not to worry -- thanks to the inventiveness and technology from the private sector, the great socialist engine can keep humming along for quite a while. Economic research has discovered that the funding of Social Security is not dependent on the ratio of workers, but rather in the productivity of the individual worker. In other words, our technology has created the wealth that runs this antiquated, non-evolving system. The Social Security death knell can be heard in the distance, however, as new technology will replace this worn out socialist structure. The result will be improved efficiency and more wealth for all recipients.

Technology is transforming our lives at an accelerating speed, and “the world as we know it” will dissipate. We should not fear this future, but embrace it. Looking back through our history, we can see that prosperity is built upon the inventions of man. For instance, many of the wonderful developments that enable our generation to enjoy a high standard of living were designed from 1860 to 1890. In that short period of time a whopping 440,000 patents were filed, and every day we reap the benefits from those years -- even with the hindrance of government. The world of invention is again exploding, with 417,508 patents filed in 2005 alone. From nanotechnology and aerospace engineering to fluid behavior and telecommunications, we are moving into a world of new realities.

If I were a gambling woman, I would place my bet on the creativity and inspired work of mankind to bring us a great future with more wealth than ever experienced in history. I would not be so afraid of aging in this wonderful world that is developing in my lifetime.