01. Where Are We Going? Welcome to Life 3.0

As an avid reader myself, I've come to understand that readers sitting down with a book are pretty much like kids riding in the back seat of the car. A good book is a vehicle that, if it does its job, gets you from where you are to where you want to be. And readers, like those kids, ask the same basic questions as the ride sets out:

Where are we going? Are we there yet? How much longer? I'm hungry! I'm bored! I have to go potty!

I'll do my level best not to "bore" you. The other stuff is a little out of my control. So — where are we going?

First, let's tackle the "we." In general, I'd say it's those of us who are people of peace and goodwill — people who recognize there's a spiritual component to life that shapes our identity and shows up in our choices as we make our way through this world.

This particular "car" wears the badge "Christian" on the hood. But that doesn't imply exclusivity. Other faiths, spiritual practices, and philosophies are invited to jump in and ride along, because at its core this playbook is focused on two things: human flourishing and the common good. So — Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Jews, Stoics, and philosophers of all stripes are all invited. I'm confident everyone will find nourishment and meaning here.

There's another "we." This playbook is aimed at folks like myself, entering into — or already cruising through — what I call Life 3.0. That final third of life, roughly ages 60 to 90. I'm a "Boomer" myself, at 74. (Yeah, I know — I just branded myself with the "OK Boomer" stigmata.)

That said, younger readers are more than welcome. You don't have to wait for a certain age to start reaping the benefits of a "SALTY" life. In fact, the sooner the better — I'm thinking of my own adult kids here.

Here's the shape of the journey:

• Life 1.0 (ages 0–30): shaped by Culture, learning to be a good Citizen, gaining the skills to be a Contributor.

• Life 2.0 (ages 30–60): Competition for careers and status, Construction of families and homes, and plenty of Consumption of "stuff."

• Life 3.0 (ages 60–90): the old 2.0 rules of the road stop working. Trying to "keep on truckin'" with 2.0 dynamics all the way to the end is like betting on the wrong horse.

  
  

What actually defines "The Good Life" in 3.0? Three new words: Cultivation, Contentment, and Charity. Think of it like planting a vineyard and tending it well, even knowing you probably won't be around to drink the wine. That kind of undertaking takes Vision, Intention, and Means — VIM, for short.

That's what this SALTY Playbook promises to deliver: a guide to your unique VIM, through the process of Discovery, Design, and Doing, as we navigate the territory called Life 3.0 together.

A word of caution — this isn't a piece of cake, and it's not for the faint of heart. But if you're reading these words, you're still here, still doing life. That says something about your ability to persevere.