What three issues I deal with in retirement?

Addressing three issues, I deal with in my retirement years.

First off, I look at my life as a book of having many chapters. When I finish one chapter of a book, I do not throw the book away, no, I turn the page revealing a new episode. So it is in life. Previous chapters record my history. A new chapter opens for me to experience. My life book purposely omits an index, and yours also does. I can address my past and current life’s successes and failures but it is not possible to index future events which will complete my life’s book.

Here are 3, of the many, issues I’m addressing in retirement.

Number one: Reality!

Am I secure in my present state? Do I have an ongoing internal discussion with myself as to a personal truth? When I survey my Christian faith, is it vibrant? Is my physical body in the best of health? Am I satisfied with the state of my relationships, with my spouse, my children, my siblings and my friends? If I do not face my reality, it will slam me in my face someday.

John Townsend, in his book, ‘Leadership Beyond Reason,’ makes this statement:

“Reality happens, and it always wins.”

Consider this;

Face reality as it is, not as you, [I], wish it to be.” Peter Koestenbaum

Number two: Recognition!

I’m not talking about me gaining recognition.

Am I living with a sense of unending gratitude for what I have and for those who have poured into my life?

Does my behavior exhibit a genuine sense of gratitude?

Do I work on being a kind person?

I want to recognize the successes of others and grieve with their losses equally.

“The more you express gratitude for what you have the more you will have to express gratitude for.“ – Zig Ziglar

Number three: Respect!

Am I worthy of the respect given me?

Lately, what have I done that is deserving of respect?

Do I willingly offer verbal admiration to family members and friends for their achievements?

I’m sure I can give more ‘pats on the back’ for jobs well done.

The light in my soul shines brightest when I’m fully engaged in the present.

When I take the time to consider these three, then my steps are made secure.

reality
recognition
respect

Do you need more wisdom for your journey into and through retirement? Remembering these scriptures will help.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. (James 1:5 NLT)

He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. (Proverbs 2:7 NLT)

I welcome your comments.

Let me know what you think about this subject.

I always enjoy your comments.

Thanks, Richard

06/19/201703/10/2018

Do We Ever Get To Go HOME?

Do we ever get to go HOME?

Home is more a time, rather than a place, I think.

We cannot repeat the past.

You can never step into a river the same place you did before, simply because the water in the river keeps flowing.

Time indeed keeps marching on.

Where do we go; ‘home’?

The clock keeps ticking.

Minutes and seconds are irreplaceable.

The years in our past are past.

As much as we try to rewrite history, the truth in history remains permanently etched in place.

Our past can haunt us or it can spur us to change.

We never become unhinged from the moments of our past. It is the fabric that makes up our history, who we were.

How we allow it to handle us, is what matters.

It has been said that a person’s history gives a good indication of a person’s future direction. Is this true? I think but not always!

Going “home again”

Chases up the memories of both the good times and not so good times in our past.

Brings to mind some moments that should remain buried. So are their regrets?

Regrets,

Yes, I have many.

What do we do with regrets?

Do we let them hang around our necks pulling us down into depression?

Can we “flip” them off as insignificant?

What is the purpose of regrets?

Maybe it is a sign of a healthy mental attitude to harbor regrets.

Harboring regrets

Brings to mind a flotilla of boats sitting quietly in the water waiting for someone to start their engines.

Every now and then I “start the engine ” on one of my regrets.

Not good!

The moments I regret are in my past and I do not have it in my power to change my past.

So, I have to let go of my regrets. Learn from them, never repeat doing what I have regretted.

Regrets have become part of the fabric of my past,

unfortunately, sown into my history, with the purpose of influencing me to make better choices going forward.

Do we ever get to go home again?

Yes!

Memories build the home we visit.

Home is a moment or moments in time, captured in pictures, etched in our memories but unavailable in the present.

So I make the most of this present time since this time will fill my memories in the future.

“…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead” Phil. 3:13b

What are your fondest memories?

Do you ‘harbor’ regrets? Why?

Please leave a comment, let’s have a discussion.

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Wheels Around Town

Richard

06/12/201706/13/2017

Decisions in Retirement, are you making wise decisions?

Decisions In Retirement, are you making wise decisions?

It’s not about the money!

Detailing the three S’ of living happily in retirement.

Decisions, let’s talk about it. The preponderance of information on retirement living is about the money.

Do we have enough? Will it last our lifetime?

While having money in a retirement savings account is important, it is by far, not the most significant for living happily in retirement.

There are other decisions in retirement which should be considered.

I’ve been to many nations of the world, sat and talked with people who have little of this world’s goods but are living happily, nonetheless.

My 3 S’ of living a happy retired life. Not the only requirements but these 3 top my list.

Decision one: Schedule

Keep it. I worked with a man who brought his alarm clock to work on his last day. He gathered us all around him as he placed his alarm clock in a huge press machine, hit the button, smashing it to pieces. With a grin on his face, he announced, “I’m outta here!” Not a good choice. I will admit that the first few weeks of being ‘schedule less’, sleeping in late is kinda neat. Regaining a personal schedule is important as the old adage says; ‘early to bed, early to rise, makes one healthy, wealthy and wise’ is not only a good rhyme, it packs, wisdom. Retirees are in charge of their schedule, make one and keep it.

Decision two: Security

Provide it. Again, I’m not talking about the money. It’s about not making impulsive decisions. No longer restrained by a 8 to 5 schedule we erroneously think we can do ‘whatever we like’. The need to continue doing the routine duties to maintain basic essentials must continue. Family members and friends respond favorably when they sense you as a secure, stable person. Not one who bends to every whim and latest fad.

Decision three: Selection

Knowing what’s important. Being content with the person you have become and with what you have makes for true happiness in your golden years. An interesting article was written this week, although mostly about money, mentions the importance of maintaining family and relationships in retirement. Read it here.

Now with more free time take the opportunity to reconnect with old friends, build strong connections with distant relatives. This will support the happiness we all desire in our retirement years. My extended family has been meeting for breakfast one Saturday a month for over 28 years. See picture on right.

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Richard

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