Retiring can often be synonymous with “doing nothing, killing time and chilling out,” says David Pisarra. And while this may sound relaxing to some, the lawyer and international speaker warns that “doing nothing” comes with a price.
During a 20-year career in family law in Santa Monica, California, Pisarra had aclose-up seat watching many of his clients waste years of their lives. In his work both as a business coach and lawyer, and dealing with divorces and child custody cases, he has helped guide clients into making major life changes, such as leaving unhappy family situations.
“However long people have left to live, I hate to see them waste their lives away, especially once they retire,” he says. “Instead, I want to motivate them to do as much as they can with what they have left.”
Pisarra, 52, travels the world motivating, inspiring and empowering audiences. This year, he has given talks in New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Texas and Ajijic.
“For the five years that I’ve been speaking at Open Circle, I’m always scheduled at the end of the year,” he says. “Therefore, I want to leave the audience with a motivating message, like having gratitude for the previous year’s gifts and excitement about the possibilities of the coming year.”
Two years ago at Open Circle, Pisarra told the story of an 83-year old yoga instructor from India.
“This remarkable woman happened to break her hip – which landed her in rehab – only to be told by her doctor that she would have to give up yoga. Rejecting his advice, she was performing yoga poses six months later in front of the Taj Mahal. She sent photos of herself to the doctor with the glaring message, ‘You were wrong.’”
He goes on: “While in recovery, this vibrant elder went on to study ballroom dancing and became the oldest ever ballroom dancer champion. At 93, she was still teaching 13 classes a week.”
Pisarra says this example demonstrates that just because you are a “senior,” it doesn’t mean you have to stop being active and enjoying life.
“If you’re going to retire, you ought to be more active in the things you love doing,” he says. “Many people spend hours watching YouTube videos. Instead of spending that time watching cats playing piano or birds dancing to rap music, how about taking the time to learn something you can actually do, like painting or knitting a sweater? You can learn practically anything on YouTube and you’ll benefit, not only with improved eye-hand coordination, but in keeping your mind sharp and hopefully fending off dementia and boredom.”
Pisarra is planning to exit from his career as a lawyer to spend more time as a speaker and business coach. “I started my law practice doing coaching and am now returning to what I love.”
In his coaching role, Pisarra is working with a young man whose mother grew up in a prison setting – her father was a prison guard. She started writing a book about her experiences.
“Now that she’s in the late stages of cancer, her son and I are helping get her book completed by having her tell her stories. If, for no other reason, her book will be for her family who will come to know the story of where they came from.”
Pisarra discovered Lakeside about nine years ago, when his friend – a local writer and international house sitter – invited him to visit her during one of her house sits.
“Kelly and I met in a political round table TV show in Santa Monica, when I was starting my law practice and she was gearing up to run for the State Assembly.
“During those Lakeside visits, I networked with a number of people, some of whom happened to be involved in Open Circle. They thought I had a good story to tell and urged me to give a talk, which I gladly did.”
Being at Lakeside feels like a vacation for Pisarra. It allows him to dig into the Mexican culture, which he adores. He’s also able to connect with the expat community, which he finds warm and welcoming.
“The way I see it, expats don’t go to Open Circle just for the speaker. They go for the community, and community is what allows our humanity to really shine.”
Pisarra continues: “If you find yourself feeling isolated or alone, set aside Sunday morning and get yourself to Open Circle, munch on some mini sandwiches, enjoy a hot cup of coffee … and mingle. As an added bonus, the presentation may actually open your mind. There’s never an end to what one can learn.”
David Pisarra will present “The High Cost of Doing Nothing” at Open Circle on Sunday, December 30, 10 a.m., at the Lake Chapala Society.