Daily Archives: January 11, 2014

Life is a series of journeys ;  developing from a baby into a toddler, a toddler into a pre-school child, a child into adolescent, from an adolescent into a young adult, climbing the decades from young to middle age, to older.  Maybe one of the toughest transitions is from working to retirement.  *(now just in case Bill Pekala is reading this and thinking it is aimed at him, well it’s not entirely, aimed at him, it’s aimed at a lot of people who have retied or are going to retire, but he’s included!)  When I starting thinking about retiring from full time employment, I started to search for all the information I could about how to prepare to make it as successful transition.  I talked to a lot of friends that had retired, I searched the scripture for teachings, and I prayed a lot about what I should do.

 

I came up with some solid answers, from solid sources, and I’m willing to share them with all of you, under one condition;  Know that these were the answers “I” found for “me”,  you need to search your mind and heart to see if they ring true for you, and your life.  However if you are retired or are about to retire,  please give this some thought,  it’s very important stuff to think about and pray about.  I wish all of you a fulfilled and productive retirement!  Here goes:

 

1.  Don’t stop and sit down and do nothing!  Many years ago I knew an elderly mail carrier from back home in Harlan, he walked many miles every day delivering the mail.  I’m sure he thought when I retire I’m never doing this again!  I remember when he retied he started sitting on the porch watching the traffic drive by his house, I saw him often, he would be reading a book, or the newspaper, or just staring into the distance.  He died in about a year.  He stopped having a purpose and his body just shut down.  A. Stay active, B. Have a to do list.  C. fix things around the house, set up a home office if you don’t have one, go there everyday and do your new job!  Stay involved.  I teach workshops and still am a very active photographer, so I spend almost 8 hours every day that I’m home working in my office, I edit images, I build teaching programs, I take on line classes to learn things I never had time to learn before.  I stay busy, I do allow my self an afternoon nap sometimes if I’m tired, and I have been known in good weather to sit on the back deck and read a good book, but I don’t do it all day long!!!!

 

2. Accept your new role.  This is a tough one.  Many of us had important jobs, many of us managed other people.  Lots of people pulled at us needing information, reports, and a long list assignments, and travel.  We felt important,  now we get 80% fewer emails, our calendars only as filled as we make them, and a lot fewer people are asking for our help.  The first normal reaction is to feel a sense of loss.  Don’t harbor that thought for very long.  We still have plenty we can do, the good news is we are making the assignments now, if we feel like writing a report (which I never do!!!!), we can write it to ourselves.  The MOST IMPORTANT thing to remember is our worth is not tied to “who” we work for, but “what” we work for.  When you work for a corporation you are paid to live for “their mission”, now you can live for “your mission!!!!”  Find your mission! Make it something worthy of your skills and time.

 

3.  Reconnect with old friends, family, and new friends.  You now have time to reach out and touch someone because you want to, not because it is part of your employers mission!  You no longer work for the Acme Corp, you can feel free to be more open in expressing your knowledge, not encumbered by the policies of your former job.

 

4. Remember who brought you to the dance!  It’s an old saying that basically means be appreciative for those that have been good to you!  Be responsible!  As most of you know that because of a health issue I had to reduce the size and weight of my camera bag.  I ended up using the Fuji X system, this was tough after begin a life long Nikon shooter, but it was what was best for my shoulders.  I came to really enjoy the new system and produced some excellent ( can I say that???!!!”), work with it.  Three weeks after I retired from Nikon, Fuji approached me and offered to run a two page national ad of my work.  I told them I was honored, but that I couldn’t possibly do that, it was way too soon after leaving 11 years of employment by Nikon.  I greatly respect the people that are my friends at Nikon, I still own and use Nikon gear, it would not have been the right thing to do.  This was a test, the enemy said, “Well, Nikon is not asking to run your work in an ad!”  While that was true, that had nothing to do with “doing the right thing”. Character and integrity  is doing the right thing because it is the right thing.  I’d rather be known for that than published in a national ad!  Appreciate those that have contributed to your life.

 

5.  Rejoice in the time to do what you have not been able to do while working!  Spend more quality time with your spouse, children and grandchildren.  Get to a few more church services, and get some quality fellowship.  Make a list of all the things you always wanted to learn to do, prioritize the list, and them and get started!!!  You now have the most precious commodity we are given in life, time, use it wisely!

 

6.   Go back and read the blog entry  “The Fourth Quarter“.  It will help you sort out what the last part of your life could an should be about

 

7.  Lastly, Know who you are.  Today’s devotional from In Touch had two very revealing paragraphs:

 

Our world emphatically proclaims the importance of self-esteem, which is a favorable impression of oneself. Surely, we are told, an individual who values himself highly will accomplish much. Yet Scripture tells us that true confidence flows, not from self, but from our identity in Christ.

 

The Holy Spirit is the basis for our confidence—not positive thinking, right circumstances, or the ability to think highly of ourselves. Even in the midst of difficulty, we can live with boldness because the Spirit of the living God lives in us and enables us to follow Him.

 

Of course, we have a role too. The Spirit directs us and strengthens us, but we are responsible to listen, obey, and diligently follow His guidance each day. We can have assurance in an unstable world because almighty God provides everything we need to live triumphantly.

 

Are you facing situations that make you feel inadequate or insecure? Search the Bible for descriptions of the Lord’s character. Realize that our sovereign, almighty God—the Beginning and the End—lives inside of you through His Holy Spirit. Find your confidence in your Creator, Redeemer, and Friend.

 

My prayer for all of you that were led to this entry that God will richly bless you, and help you make the coming years the very best of your life!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim