Giving Back in Retirement

Retirement has exceeded my expectations in every way.  Like you, I worked many years to get to this stage in life and made many sacrifices to be able to enjoy these last few years.  One of the most enjoyable things about this time has been giving back in retirement and easing the way for our children and those around us.  I have always tried to be grateful for everything that I have, and I think when you do that you can’t help but have a positive outlook on life.  Even the poorest of the poor in this country is living well compared to others around the world.  And when you look at the opportunities to better yourself that are available in this country, that’s another thing to be grateful for.  I have seen some extreme poverty in countries like Guatemala and the rural areas of Egypt, and I have seen little children sleeping under tables in the marketplaces in the Caribbean.  The future for those children does not hold the same promise we have in our own country.

When we reach this time in our life, we have a lot to be grateful for and giving back in retirement can be one of the most rewarding things you can do.  There are many ways to do it and it doesn’t have to involve money at all.  An encouraging word or a gesture of kindness can turn someone’s world around in an instant.  And doing little things like that can change your whole outlook as well.  For those who are prone to looking at the dark side (as I am), it’s hard not to smile when just a little gesture can make all the difference in the world to someone who doesn't have as much as you.  My wife always volunteered to help deliver the donations that were made at our church at Christmas, and she could not believe the living conditions she saw in some of the homes she visited.  She also remembered the tears of gratitude from one of the mothers who was especially grateful for a winter coat for her daughter.  She continues to volunteer for charities because giving back in retirement is almost addictive.  The impact you can have on someone’s life is profound and helping people, even in a small way, can be one of the most rewarding things you can do in retirement.

Giving back in retirement can be one of the most rewarding things you can do.

This website is filled with advice on traveling, dining out and enjoying the good life and we should all make sure we enjoy retirement to the fullest.  One of the ways to do that is giving back in retirement to those who need a little encouragement.  There are so many things you can do to make a difference even in the most ordinary activities in life.  One of my favorites is to take the time to engage with the service people you come across every day.  The person who serves you in a restaurant, the person who cleans your hotel room or the person who delivers your mail can always use a kind word.  If you ever had a job that serves the public, you know how draining it can be, and one pleasant exchange can make all the difference.  This world needs more kindness, and it doesn’t have to cost a dime.  Giving back in retirement is giving the best part of yourself to others.  It might not be easy, but it is definitely worth it.  Even that grumpy waiter needs a kind word.  In fact, they may need it the most of all.

If you have the financial means to do it, giving back in retirement may involve a donation to a worthy organization and there is no shortage of possible candidates.  Anything involving children immediately gets our attention and we always do a little research to make sure the money we contribute will go where we think it will.  There are organizations that rate charitable causes and any time you see at least 85% of the money going to those services, you know you are giving to a well-run organization.  When you see 90% and above, that’s a great rating.  When you are focused on giving back in retirement and you find such an efficient organization, it can be very rewarding to not only donate to them but to track the progress that organization is making on their mission.  It’s a great feeling when you know you are making a difference.

We shouldn’t forget our own children as well because, as they say, charity begins at home.  Sometimes we focus on what we will be able to leave our children when we depart this world and don’t realize how a little extra money here and there can make for a family that is trying their best to give their children all the happiness that they had when they were growing up.  My father used to get a hundred bill in the mail from my grandfather for Christmas shopping.  That was a totally different time.  Not only was sending cash through the mail a common practice but seeing a $100 bill was a rare event and I remember we were each given a chance to hold it.  I look back on that now as a great memory and remember the smile on my father’s face and can only imagine how great my grandfather felt being able to do that from “the other side of the world” in California.  Giving back in retirement is something worth doing so go out and change the world in a small way.  It’s time to Enjoy Retired Life!

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