Meaning in Retirement
by Dave in Michigan
Hello! I'm a 68-year-old widower and have been retired for six years. I've read so many retirement posts that have a real sense of "lostness" about them... People struggling to find meaning in their new found freedom or even something to occupy their time. Well, I'd like to make an observation or two that may provide a little food for thought.
First of all, many of you will remember the Alan Person's Project... A band from a few years ago. They released a song in which part of the lyrics were these, "the game never ends when your whole world depends on the turn of a friendly card." The point? We must take action. Your ship isn't coming in, the kids have their own lives, and no one is going to come to your door and beg you to befriend them. Of course, it's hard to take action but it's worth it.
Second is a quote from Alexander Solzhenitsyn's book "Cancer Ward". In observing his fellow patients he realized that many of them had "given into time" and he knew that was the one thing they could not ever do. There is a temptation to think that we're too old, or too sick, or my significant other is...whatever. So we say to ourselves, What's the use? And we give into time. We find it's so much easier to sit and think about what once was but that's a sure fire way to dissatisfaction and unhappiness.
Last of all, ask yourself this question when you get up each day. What is one thing I can do today that will be of value to me in five years? It found to be as simple as calling a family member, meditation, exercise or eating a healthy meal. But do something every single day that has long term value.
You have earned this time in your. Don't let it slip away.
Best wishes to all!
