Transform Adversity into Advantage in Retirement

Yesterday I learned about the life and death of a great concert pianist, Leon Fleisher, who I didn’t know. But his life experience resonated with me.

The New York Times article stated, “Leon Fleisher, a leading American pianist in the 1950s and early ’60s who was forced by an injury to his right hand to channel his career into conducting, teaching and mastering the left-hand repertoire, died on Sunday in a hospice in Baltimore. He was 92.” (Italics mine.)

This man was faced with the loss of what brought him the most joy in his life, as well as his livelihood. He spent most of his the rest of his life searching for THE solution to his physical problem.

Over time, he found that he could adapt his musical gifts in ways that enriched his life and the lives of others. He taught, composed, performed with one hand, and became a conductor and recording artist. He eventually overcame his physical problem and was able to play with both hands in recent years.

The New York Times article concludes, “Toward the end of his life, Mr. Fleisher spoke about the level of despair he felt when he was unable to use his right hand. But, having regained that ability, he was also philosophical about the challenges life presents.”

“There are forces out there,” he told The International Herald Tribune in 2007, “and if you keep yourself open to them, if you go along with them, there are wondrous surprises.” (Italics mine.)

This is the point that resonated with me. He lived a deep and meaningful life, despite his adversity. He created a different life from the one he imagined.

I find that some retirees upon leaving the workplace spend their precious time looking for that outside solution that will fix their retirement once and for all.

However, that external fix is never the answer. The answer is always inside. It is a re-framing of how one views their life. Mr. Fleisher was able to see his gifts in a different light and by changing his perspective, he opened his life to “wondrous surprises.”

He spent untold amounts of energy over the years believing he was forced out of what he loved. But what he loved was music, and that was never taken from him. It was transformed.

While he never let go of his first love, he lived a rich and long life, contributing much to the world of music. Imagine what more he might have done had he come to this realization sooner. He could have transformed years depression and sadness into years of deep satisfaction and joy.

Don’t wait to transform your life. Start turning what you think is adversity into advantage.

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