BY KLAUS DÖRING
“NEVER Too Late” is a song by Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. It was released on May 7, 2007 as the third single from the band’s second album One-X.
“Never Too Late” is about not giving up.
Adam Gontier stated, “I guess it’s like feeling like you’re at the end of your rope and deciding whether or not to completely give up or whether or not to try and sort of keep making it through another day.”
I know a lot of pensioner expatriates living in the Philippines for good. Many of them have a big problem – after staying here for only a couple of months, they got bored.
Having a vacation all day, all week, all month and all year long is really not an egg’s yellow. I must confess I experienced the same in 1999 after moving to Davao City. At that time I just turned 46.
I remember my last days in an international publishing house in Berlin. I packed up my things after signing my resignation letter. Of course, I hadn’t reached my final pension age yet, but I got a lot of ideas on how to shape and organize my “new” life in the Philippines.
I never forgot some office mates smiling at me: “We can’t cross such bridges before we come to them!” Of course guys, you have been right!
Anyway, age doesn’t matter – you can enjoy the second half of your life residing in the Philippines. As many of you know already, I stayed in many countries worldwide. I could have migrated to the US. I didn’t. I chose the Philippines. Most important thing is: Keep yourself busy.
Sure, there is always a time when we should rest and really enjoy life. Sure, we brought our savings and many of us enjoy the monthly pension in Euro or Dollar.
Several weeks ago, I read a good idea in an US business weekly: “Partner up with entrepreneurs who have long been in the business, or those who have just retired as well!” Worth to think about.
Getting bored means also for some to start grumbling and complaining about everything and everybody in the Philippines. I always keep my distance from such negative people. We are not here to change this country and its people. Why? What for? Filipinos are also not planning to change our home countries.
I really don’t have more stress than I had in my home country before. Critics reproach and accuse me of living a life as an expatriate while wearing pink-tinted glasses. Sorry, but my conscience is very clear.
I keep myself busy, too busy sometimes: Teaching, translating, writing, before on the radio, and many more things; but I always find time for short vacations.
It’s never too late. It’s your life! Take your chance and enjoy life in the Philippines. And, stay away from grumblers and grouses.
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Email: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com./PN
