{"id":9557,"date":"2014-01-11T18:11:57","date_gmt":"2014-01-11T18:11:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/?p=9557"},"modified":"2014-01-11T18:11:57","modified_gmt":"2014-01-11T18:11:57","slug":"the-journey%e2%80%a6%e2%80%a6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/?p=9557","title":{"rendered":"The journey\u2026\u2026."},"content":{"rendered":"

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Life is a series of journeys ; \u00a0developing 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. \u00a0Maybe one of the toughest transitions is from working to retirement. \u00a0*(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!) \u00a0When 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. \u00a0I 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.<\/p>\n

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I came up with some solid answers, from solid sources, and I’m willing to share them with all of you, under one condition; \u00a0Know that these were the answers\u00a0“I” found for “me”, \u00a0you need to search your mind and heart to see if they ring true for you, and your life. \u00a0However if you are retired or are about to retire, \u00a0please give this some thought, \u00a0it’s very important stuff to think about and pray about. \u00a0I wish all of you a fulfilled and productive retirement! \u00a0Here goes:<\/p>\n

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1. \u00a0Don’t stop and sit down and do nothing!<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0Many years ago I knew an elderly mail carrier from back home in Harlan, he walked many miles every day delivering the mail. \u00a0I’m sure he thought when I retire I’m never doing this again! \u00a0I 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. \u00a0He died in about a year. \u00a0He stopped having a purpose and his body just shut down. \u00a0A. Stay active, B. Have a to do list.<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0C. fix things around the house<\/strong><\/span>, set up a home office<\/span><\/strong> if you don’t have one, go there everyday and do your new job! \u00a0Stay involved.<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0I 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. \u00a0I 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!!!!<\/p>\n

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2. Accept your new role.<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0This is a tough one. \u00a0Many of us had important jobs, many of us managed other people. \u00a0Lots of people pulled at us needing information, reports, and a long list assignments, and travel. \u00a0We felt important, \u00a0now we get 80% fewer emails, our calendars only as filled as we make them, and a lot fewer people are asking for our help. \u00a0The first normal reaction is to feel a sense of loss. \u00a0Don’t harbor that thought for very long. \u00a0We 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. \u00a0The MOST IMPORTANT thing to remember is our worth is not tied to “who” we work for, but “what” we work for. \u00a0When you work for a corporation you are paid to live for “their mission”, now you can live for “your mission!!!!” \u00a0Find your mission! Make it something worthy of your skills and time.<\/p>\n

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3. \u00a0Reconnect with old friends, family, and new friends<\/span><\/strong>. \u00a0You now have time to reach out and touch someone because you want to, not because it is part of your employers mission! \u00a0You 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.<\/p>\n

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4. Remember who brought you to the dance!<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0It’s an old saying that basically means be appreciative for those that have been good to you! \u00a0Be responsible! \u00a0As most of you know that because of a health issue I had to reduce the size and weight of my camera bag. \u00a0I 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. \u00a0I came to really enjoy the new system and produced some excellent ( can I say that???!!!”), work with it. \u00a0Three weeks after I retired from Nikon, Fuji approached me and offered to run a two page national ad of my work. \u00a0I 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. \u00a0I 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. \u00a0This was a test, the enemy said, “Well, Nikon is not asking to run your work in an ad!” \u00a0While that was true, that had nothing to do with “doing the right thing”. Character and integrity \u00a0is doing the right thing because it is the right thing. \u00a0I’d rather be known for that than published in a national ad! \u00a0Appreciate those that have contributed to your life.<\/p>\n

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5. \u00a0Rejoice in the time to do what you have not been able to do while working!<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0Spend more quality time with your spouse, children and grandchildren. \u00a0Get to a few more church services, and get some quality fellowship. \u00a0Make a list of all the things you always wanted to learn to do, prioritize the list, and them and get started!!! \u00a0You now have the most precious commodity we are given in life, time, use it wisely!<\/p>\n

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6. \u00a0 Go back and read the blog entry \u00a0“The Fourth Quarter<\/strong><\/span>“. \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>It will help you sort out what the last part of your life could an should be about<\/span><\/p>\n

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7. \u00a0Lastly, Know who you are. \u00a0Today’s devotional from In Touch had two very revealing paragraphs:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Holy Spirit is the basis for our confidence\u2014not 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Are you facing situations that make you feel inadequate or insecure? Search the Bible for descriptions of the Lord\u2019s character. Realize that our sovereign, almighty God\u2014the Beginning and the End\u2014lives inside of you through His Holy Spirit. Find your confidence in your Creator, Redeemer, and Friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

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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!<\/p>\n

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Blessings,<\/p>\n

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the pilgrim<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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