The Sunscreen Song

by Gary Fisher

It was known as ‘The Sunscreen Song’. A hit song in 1999. by Baz Luhrman , it offered sage advice to the ‘Class of 1999’. The tune went to #10 in the states, and was #1 in the UK. To this day it stands as one of the most unusually catchy songs of a generation. The lyrics are the key, and they present a dramatic, yet understated line of thinking for the last class of the 20th century.

As I move through my 50th year on earth, and work with clients yet to know the joys of hitting the half century mark, and many who have long since passed that point, I am reminded of the song and it’s advice, and how spot on it was. In fact, I recently ran across a similarly conceived set of instructions purportedly written by 60 year olds. The comments essentially dovetail with the Sunscreen song which I found to be rather intriguing.

Quality advice can be particularly valuable when it comes to envisioning a life that includes business and personal success, raising a family, taking care of ailing parents, fluffy kitties, happy dogs, yourself, your spouse, and then planning for something called ‘retirement’ which might span 20, 30, and even 40 years.

So if you are near a computer, or you have the song on your ipod load it up and take a listen. You may find it moving, or fun, but its hard to imagine it won’t resonate.

Among the gems of advice are:

• Don’t worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worry is as effective as trying to solve an algebra problem by chewing gum.
• Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, and don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.
• Don’t waste time on jealously. Sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind. The race is long, and in the end it’s only with yourself.
• Floss.
• Stretch.
• Don’t feel guilty if you don’t’ know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know, didn’t know what they wanted to do at 22, and some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t.
• Be kind to your knees. You’ll miss those when they’re gone.
• Whatever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance, and so are everybody else’s.
• Get to know your parents. You never know when they’ll be gone for good.
• The older you get the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.
• Travel.
• Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund or a wealthy spouse, but you never know when either will run out.
• And of course….wear sunscreen!

And…in my opinion…here are some recommendations from the ‘Over 60’ crowd:

• Eat and exercise like a diabetic heart patient with a stroke, and you’ll never actually become one.
• Pay your bills and ‘stay the hell’ out of debt.
• The joints you damage today will get their revenge later.
• Stuff is just stuff. Don’t hold on to material objects. Hold on to time and relationships.
• The most important person in your life is the one who agreed to share their life with you. Treat them as such.
• No matter how long or how short you live, you’ll wish you took better care of your body when you were young.
• A true friend will come running at 2am. Everyone else are just acquaintances.
• Don’t take life so seriously. Even if things seem dark and hopeless, try to laugh at how ridiculous life is.

When it comes time for you to wrap up one phase of your life, and move in to the retirement phase you’ll find that this advice will be particularly resonant.

The formula for my Happy Retirement “Sunscreen” is based on countless studies, personal observation of nearly a quarter of a century in practice working with clients, and the words of those same clients it seems clear that your happiness in this phase of life will include four critical components:

1. How healthy you are physically and mentally.
2. The fun you have with your hobbies and most importantly, your passions.
3. The depth and quality of your personal relationships.
4. The level of contribution to others you are able and willing to make.
5. The monthly income you have that facilitates the previous four points.

Interestingly the advice to the graduating class of ‘99, the wisdom of the 60 + crowd, all blend in to one neat package that serves as a nifty guide to what we should all focus on as we make our plans for the BEST of our life. Heed it well!