Encouragement about retirement……
I”m a member of the inaugural class of the baby boomers, I was born in February of 1946, As such I”m among the leaders of the coming parade of retires! I take my responsibilities seriously so I would like to share with those that will soon join me, some thoughts three months in!!!!
Jump in!! The water is fine! I do however have some strong recommendations!
1. Life is not about you, so, get on with finding a way to put an emphasis on others!!!
Many of us had jobs that put us in positions of power or prestige, the day you retire that evaporates! If you are still holding on to that to make you feel o.k. overnight a huge void will descend on you! Don’t let that happen, start now redirecting the emphasis of your life!
Ask God for His help, He already has a plan for your life, maybe it’s time to ask Him what His plans are for you! Life is actually better without the power of the old job!!!!! Grace beats power every time!
2. Learn to relax!!!! Most of your life there have been schedules to meet, planes to catch, emails to answer, calls to return, and reports to file, ( lots of reports)!!!! Thankfully a lot of that is about to end, or at least slow way, way down! So, if you’re addicted to busy, embrace relaxing! Don’t get me wrong, retirement is still busy, just not with someone looking over your shoulder!!!!! Learn to embrace being free from all the old tug a wars of the working life! You’ll be surprised how quickly you feel better!
3. Learn playing with the toys you have!!! Part of the working life is, sadly, the acquisition of more and more toys! As a photographer, I couldn’t live without the newest, latest technology, now I’m learning I can enjoy my craft without buying every new toy to come along!!! I started “stocking up”, with my key needs before “retirement day” arrived. Since I have less to spend it’s o.k., I was prepared!!!!
4. Spend more “quality” time with family and friends! When I was still with Nikon I often thought my relationships felt like drive by shootings, now I’m experiencing the real joy of a relaxed relationship with Sherelene, the kids and grand kids! When you think about it, they were the ones you worked to benefit, now you can benefit them with your time and attention!
5. Make a list of goals. I would suggest they include, things you want to do, see, learn, understand, and experience. Don’t forget to start by asking God how you can serve Him!!! Write a mission statement, mine is simple;
“Give God every day, try to leave every person and situation better off than before I came into their lives or state of affairs. Always remember, we are all God’s children, and they He gave His Son for each of them! Help me to forgive as freely as I’ve been forgiven! I hope to bring smiles and laughter into the lives of others! May God get the glory for anything good that comes out of my life!”
6. Be thankful!!! You have probably lived an incredible life, be thankful for it!
7. Take some naps, have some ice cream, shoot some great images, and live a full life every day you wake up on this side of the grass!!!!
Enjoy your retirement……
Blessings,
The pilgrim
This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 2nd, 2013 at 4:35 pm
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Well Said Bill ! I am getting ready to retire at the end of the year. Your blog this morning was inspirational and inspiring ~ Looking forward to the good life and attending more of your workshops. You are a terrific role model and mentor to follow !
Thanks for sharing you wonderful wisdom and insight with us on a daily basis.
Blessings!
Dave Berry
I love this! It makes me laugh because I tarvel on the train for about an hour to work. I usually use the time to meditate, which means unless someone captures my attention before I begin, I am closed to meeting anyone. BUT, one day I received a friend request on Facebook from a stranger. I accepted, and it turns out she found me through the meditation timer I used on my iPhone! So, it seems I am still open, even when closed.The more the merrier! 🙂
My pleasure, I got it from a Great Source!!!
Great advice, Bill.
It ‘s working foe me!
“For”
I think this is fantastic advice for anyone really.
Thanks Joshua, really enjoyed meeting you guys in Spear Fish!
Thanks Bill,
You’ve come up with taylor made message for me.
Blessings
I kinda think you are doing much of this now!
Many of this items should not wait until you retire. #6 and #7 are get even for those of use still working.
You got it! I’ve had friends say they wish they had my life, I tell them; “You do, embrace it!”!
I couldn’t find the “Like” button. Thanks Bill, good stuff.
No sweat I got it!
Thanks. My advice is “If your not having fun now, what are you waiting for?”.
Tell Jack Graham hello for me.
I will Fred, and I can assure you we will ave fun!
Bill, you and I are in lockstep. I am of the class of 1952. I have been blessed by God in so many ways that I want for nothing. I have achieved more success and have a better family and friends than I ever deserved. I thank God every day in my morning prayers. As thankfulness, I try to pay it forward and help everyone I can to achieve their dreams and their successes. If I could write a script for my life, I would not change a thing.
Since I retired as a police chief in a major Virginia city, I have learned to relax, enjoy my family and friends every day, and developed a list of things I want to accomplish. You are spot on with your advice. It took a while, but I’ve transitioned to be a more spiritual and better person.
I am a big fan of Charles Stanley and have his first photography book which also includes his writings. Additionally, I have been a “Nikon Guy” and passionate photographer since 1975, but like you, have found that I can’t or don’t want to carry the heavy stuff anymore. (I also carried a 6X7 Pentax for over 20 years!) Not that I am not keeping my Nikon gear, but I have found that smaller, lighter is better for these old bones. I have been using a micro 4/3 system (Olympus OM-D E-M5)for the past year to see if it will serve my purposes, but you have piqued my interest in the Fujifilm system. It is not that I am trying to acquire more “stuff”, but to find what suits me best in the future, then divest myself of too much “stuff.”
Thank you for all you give to us and how you inspire us to serve the Lord though your example. I hope to take one of your workshops soon as you are an inspiration to me personally. God Bless You.
Dennis Mook
Thanks Dennis for your sterling example and witness to what seeking Him can do for a man, I too hope we can connect down here before we are brothers together up there, for eternity!
Thanks for the encouragement. Looking forward to it.
94 days to go my freind
Thinking of you and Homer and hope you are both well. Great to read about your life and faith.