Now that I have reached the “Golden Years” of my life I find myself looking back across the years, reflecting upon my accomplishments, my mistakes and the many what-ifs that I’ve encountered. Sure we would all like to relive certain elements over, knowing what we know now, gaining from the misfortunes, and building on the achievements.
It occurred to me some time ago that our lives are much like a football game, where each quarter provides new and different problems or goals that have to be overcome to win the game. Consider for a moment that we divide our lives into four quarters, with each quarter representing around 20 years of your life.
The first quarter of most football games is a sparring match of sorts. Both teams are trying to feel out their opponent, look for weaknesses on their defense, through a variety of plays. Short runs up the middle, short passes to the flanks. Test, push and shove. In turn the defense is eyeing the quarterback, the runners and blockers. Putting into practice what they had learned and worked on during the preceding week. Simply put, the first quarter is a learning experience.
In life, we go through a similar pattern. In the first 20 or so years of our life we’re schooled. We’re taught how to play the game of life, how to prosper and meet our goals. We’re given the knowledge we need to win the game of life.
By the second quarter of the football game, a team’s game plan comes into play. What we’ve learned about our opponent in the first quarter is put to use in the second. The game opens up and becomes exciting.
In the second quarter of our life, let’s say between the years of 21 to 40 or 45, we’re striving toward the peak of our careers, our game. We’re energetic, excited and we’re opportunistic. We have a family. We learn responsibility. We climb the ladder of success through hard work. We take pride in our achievements.
Half time arrives and is a time for reflection. Has our game gone according to plan? Why are we losing? What are we doing wrong? What can we do better? The coach gives the team another pep talk, reassuring the players that they can and will achieve their goal. Victory is at hand if we work hard, do our job and maintain a positive attitude.
In life, the mid 40’s is also a time of reflection. Where am I? Am I where I want to be? Will I or can I reach my goals? What’s realistically in store for me in the years ahead? Hopefully we use this time productively to prepare ourselves for the second half of the game.
In the third quarter of the football game, the teams emerge from the tunnel with renewed spirit and fight. Confident in the fact that they can beat their opponent they reenter the game with added zeal. Quite often the game becomes a fierce battle at this point. Superiority must be achieved. The opponent must be neutralized, beaten and demoralized.
In the game of life the third quarter is one of reality. Between the years of 40 and 65 the game must be played at all cost. Goals must be met before the fourth quarter begins. You’re at the peak of your career, and things should be going your way. Retirement looms ahead, will you be ready for it?
In the third quarter the reality of life begins to set in. You realize you’re no longer indestructible. The youthfulness you once cherished is gone forever. The thought of preparing for retirement sets in. Time is running short. Decisions about money, your family and your health become more important. With renewed strength you push toward your final goal.
In many a football game the fourth quarter is questionable. As a team you’ve peaked, and now you’re tired. But the game is not over. Victory is not yours until the final horn signals the game’s end. Your goal obviously has been to beat your opponent solidly before it became too late, hopefully letting your quarterback simply take a few knees, until the clock runs out.
In the fourth quarter of life, retirement should be the ultimate goal. Like the football player or team, you’ve peaked and now you’re tired. Yet for many of us, reaching 65 is not a celebration of victory. Reality tells you that you cannot sustain yourself on Social Security payments and possibly a small monthly pension. Life continues into an often unsustainable overtime period. Certainly an event that was not in the game plan you predicted.
But like the game of football, the final gun eventually ends the game. Are you prepared for it?
