Hi Galen, I am very happy for your friend and I understand perfectly his decision. I think there are people who think they are going to be eternal, or I don't understand why they only focus on work. That's fine for an age, but when the time comes when you know that you have already lived more years than you have left to live I think it's time to adjust priorities. When I hear phrases like, "people get depressed or die," I can't help but think how poor some people's lives are.
In my case, I'm a decade behind your friend. I have in my head, and I am working with him, a "retirement" plan that still has a few years left to be mature.
Yep, I agree and it's quite sad that a person can't find something to be passionate and engaged with enough to fill their life so they feel like they have to keep working; many do it.
I'd like to think I'm five years away from what my friend is doing, maybe a little less, but if it's a little longer than I'm ok with it...I'm actively working towards it and I think that counts for a lot. Six years tops, and I hope to be done. We'll see if it works out.
I am waiting for that publication in which in five years you will announce the "retirement" of the previous life and the beginning of a new life, with new plans. While that moment arrives I wish you a great weekend. It's raining here, no walk today....