Car pioneer Henry Ford once said, "Think you can, think you can’t; either way, you’ll be right." True in life, true in retirement.

To which Louis Armstrong smartly added, "Musicians don’t retire; they stop when there’s no more music in them." Keep the music on then...

Retirement can be a wonderful time. Here are twelve things to do when you reach your golden years... 

1. Embrace a Healthy Lifestyle.

You know, the usuals. Exercise. Eat healthy. Avoid excess salt or sugar, smoking, drugs. Drink lots of water, alcohol responsibly. Get enough sleep. 

2. Fight Solitude.

Socialize, nurture relationships with spouse, significant others, kids, grandkids, family, and friends. Create new bonds, break barriers and boundaries. Consider adopting a pet, if you are so inclined. It's all about love...

3. Embrace Mobility and Discovery.

Travel, seek new horizons. It can be the other end of the world, or a street in your neighborhood that you have never walked.

4. If money is a concern, consider taking a job or starting your own business.

It may or may not be in an area where you have expertise, often developed over years of practice. Financial requirements, risk tolerance, personal inclinations, are some of the parameters that may influence your decision.

5. Follow your passions.

They may have been dormant for years, but it is never too late. 

6. Stay on top of Medicare...

Or any other law that may impact your health coverage. Americans may start at www.medicare.gov, where they can create an account, find health/drug plans and care providers, contact subject-matter experts, subscribe to get important news and updates, keep abreast of the latest developments (drug coverage, part D, Medicare Plan B insulin coverage change, etc.), and so forth.

7. Be happy, smile, laugh.

Go to the movies, the theater, a concert, etc. Celebrate life; it may only last 125 years... Relax. 

8. Read, read, and read some more. 

Great books move, inspire, teach. Consider both fiction and non-fiction, online and otherwise, newspapers and magazines. For those books longer than, say, 1,000 pages, at least read the title. 

9. Volunteer, Give... 

Time and/or money. The list is long of people needing help in this world. The hungry, the homeless, the sick, the discriminated against, etc. Again, the list seems to never end. Please, do not forget them.

10. Invest conservatively.

Diversify your portfolio. If you buy stocks, check out what great investors do. Warren Buffett is one. Getting-rich-quick plans often don't work. Be wary of insiders moves. Some will make you rich, others poor. 

11. Take on a new subject-matter, embrace new challenges

Go beyond your comfort zone. Learn a new skillset, a new language, a new sport, a new trade. Again, the list is long.

12. Kill two birds with one stone.

Cooking or growing your own food may 1. require exercise and help you stay healthy; 2. help you fight solitude (take classes, garden with friends or family); 3. help you save time, money, as you may end up with fewer errands to run and items to buy;  4. make you happy and feel fulfilled; 5. spur some reading; 6. spur giving (how many tomatoes or raspberries can you eat? share the fruit of your labor...) 

13. Bonus: Meditate, Take It Easy, Do Nothing.

Watch the night sky. Appreciate the beauty of our world. The beauty of... You. Of those you love and those you don't. Just chill out. Take time, hang out, do nothing, and then back to 1 thru 12.