Retirement is a Gift

Retirement is a gift but, sadly, most people don’t look at it that way.  For most people it’s a destination or goal and, once they get there, they wonder what to do next.  For me, retirement was always the ultimate escape.  It was the time to finally do what I wanted to do rather than whatever was dictated by my job.  I’ll be honest with you.  I never liked my job.  I worked very hard, was well compensated but it was never something that I really enjoyed.  To this day, I could not tell you what the ideal career would have been for me.  I liked learning new things and would research a topic for weeks if it was something I was interested in but there was no part of my job that I could say I really liked.  Retirement has given me the freedom to explore and try new things, and I have barely scratched the surface of the things I wanted to do or see.

Travel was always high on the list and we have traveled more than I ever thought possible.  When I think about how many people don’t make it to retirement age or have the funds to travel extensively, I am reminded that retirement is a gift and is not something to take for granted.  For those of us who are fortunate enough to earn the title of “retiree”, we should make an effort to use the time we’ve been given to the fullest but to always take the time to slow down and enjoy this time in our life like a fine wine.  Retirement is meant to be savored.  It is not a check list of things to do but a time for exploring new things and learning as much as we can about this wonderful world we live in.  If you’re able to travel, get to know the cultures and the people of the different places that you go.  That includes our own country because each region has a different personality and as we go in and out of small towns, we find new favorite stores and restaurants that make these little places so special.  During the holidays, you can get a real insight into a local village and the way they decorate their streets and stores.  Europe has their amazing Christmas Markets, but the United States has wonderful small towns that are just as charming.  I will be the first to admit that Christmas in the warmer temperatures seems to lose a little of the magic but there is a true spirit to be enjoyed.

Retirement is a gift that should never be wasted.

It’s not just travel that can be enjoyed.  Many retirees embark on new hobbies and develop new interests that they just couldn’t find the time for during their working careers.  Some even start new careers.  When you reach this age, you’re not the same person you were fifty years ago.  You may have different areas of interest and a curiosity to explore new things or develop new skills.  Retirement is a gift that sometimes doesn’t get appreciated to the fullest.  It’s a period in your life where you have more time and, perhaps, more money to do the things you couldn’t do when you were working to support a family and take your children to school events and sports.  It’s finally time to explore a person that you may have taken for granted during this time: YOU!  Was there a secret desire hidden away in your memory bank?  Did you ever want to play an instrument or learn a new skill like woodworking?  Or explore the inner artist inside you and take up drawing, painting or even writing a novel?  Now is the time.  Retirement is a gift.  Use it to the fullest.

So many people have regrets during this special time of life.  What they don’t realize is that it’s never too late to change.  Was there a friend you lost touch with or a relationship that went sour?  There may be time to fix it, to reach out and make it right.  If a person is no longer with us, that’s harder but there are ways to make the situation better.  Counseling is a great thing, but too many people are ashamed to reach out for help.  Don’t be one of them.  Retirement is a gift and a time to bring healing to a situation or to do something nice for someone in need.

Retirement is a gift that needs to be used and enjoyed to the fullest.  Go out and start something new.  Plan a trip or call an old friend.  Start writing that novel that you have in your head.  There will never be a better time than right now.  It’s time to Enjoy Retired Life!

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