LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT: Doctor Prescribes Living Large

“It’s absurd to think that you’ll have one career from age 22 to 100,” said Edward A. Dreyfus, Ph.D., a psychologist, published author and Palisadian of 25 years.

And at 77, Dreyfus personifies living life to the fullest even after retirement, which has led him to pursue multiple careers along the way.
Dreyfus recently published his first fiction novel Mickey and the Plow Horse, a story for young adults that encourages readers to discover their passions and follow their dreams, rather than chugging along day by day without purpose.
“If you don’t have an overriding purpose, you’re doomed,” Dreyfus said.
For 50 years, Dreyfus has found purpose with his full-time practice as a psychologist in Santa Monica. However, when he was 65, a patient reminded him how important it was to pursue his other hobbies and interests. A new patient, in his 80s, hobbled in to Dreyfus’ office with a cane claiming his wife was threatening to leave him because she was frustrated with his degenerating physical condition.
Dreyfus recalls asking the man, “When did you decide to get old?” telling him, “Age is on the calendar. Youthfulness is a state of mind.”
The patient’s wife called Dreyfus some time later to thank him for saving their marriage.
Following his own advice, Dreyfus decided at the age of 65 to take up martial arts, practicing Tai Chi, Xingli, Bagwa, kung fu and karate and earning his black belt at the age of 70. Now his hobbies also include woodworking, photography and cooking.
Currently, Dreyfus is in the middle of writing his fourth screenplay and has written six books in total, many inspired by stories from his patients.
“People define themselves by what they do,” Dreyfus said with a shake of his head, adding that people are loath to change because they fear they will lose their identities.
Dreyfus said that major changes in a person’s life, including career changes, typically evolve out of circumstances like divorce or a failing business. But Dreyfus wants to encourage people, specifically seniors, to find a way to monetize their passion – be it pursuing a career as a lawyer at the age of 45 or just taking a weekly art class – even if it means going back to school.
“One of the secrets to finding happiness is to look within ourselves rather than by believing that happiness can be found by pursuing outside achievements, accomplishments and possessions. Work and achievement should be an expression of that passion,” Dreyfus said.
To help other seniors pursue their passions, he organized a group of seniors at Kehillat Israel, SWAT: Seniors With Amazing Talent, to mentor and coach others in transition.