The Enchanting Threads of Retirement

By: Bonnie Moss
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:25:20
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Freedom 55. How many times do we wish our life away dreaming of the freedom that comes with retirement. Especially moments when the workload gets too much to bear; family responsibilities weigh heavily upon our shoulders and watch our dreams fade away into the sunset?

The day will come when we will meet face to face with retirement If you think you can just submit your retirement notice, go home, put your feet up and voila- you don’t have to face another day at work! This is retirement.

Think again. You need a plan for your retirement. What do you want to do with your life now that you have the luxury of time? So you’ re prepared for the financial aspect, the social aspect and have made other plans.

What about TIME? How are you going to use this time, precious time now in ample supply for all the dreams you wanted to pursue, things you never had enough time to devote to? Retirement is about taking care of YOU.

Time on your hands comes with the ability to transcend time. Days are no longer planned around career, family and social responsibilities. It is the time to shift gears away from the fast lane to the relaxed pace of retirement.

There are a lucky few who are able to pursue their hobbies with passion along with their careers or while raising families. But there are more who focus on everything but hobbies and other talents or skills.

The media dangles all these fun-filled ways to spend your retirement years.It makes a worry-free retirement very appealing. Rightly so.

Sitting on the beach sipping Pina colada, watch the frolic on the beach, soak up the sun and enjoy the glorious sunset for as long as you can is a wonderful thought. It is an idyllic portrait.

Ask yourself how long do you think you can be this inactive? Are you are willing to spend the rest of retirement in physical and mental inactivity? You know this lifestyle will ultimately compromise your health- mental, physical and spiritual.

There is more to retirement planning. As we get older, life gets more fragile physically and emotionally. Relationships, mental capabilities, health, physical limitations, deep-seated feelings of insecurity, loss of personal power- all these and possibly a few more issues are frightening thoughts. But these realities comes with getting old.

As you plan for retirement, there is another perspective. It's time to renew and strengthen the spirit, keep or enhance a positive attitude and savor the quieter side of life, away from the daily concerns of mundane responsibilities.

There is more time to spend with family and friends. It is an opportunity to indulge yourself with your hobbies, or find new interests. Retirement offers the time to discover golden opportunities that were put on “pause” for lack of time, energy and other resources.

What dreams did you put on hold all those years you pursued a career and raised a family? You wanted to be everything that society and family expected of you. In retirement, indulge yourself. These years are for you and you alone.

There are many avenues to explore to make retirement years enjoyable, productive, creative and add meaning to your retirement.

HOBBIES

Many of us have hobbies- arts and crafts, sports, reading, writing, bird-watching, jewelry-making, woodworking, gardening and many more.

A SECOND CAREER

Don’t laugh. Many retirees are going back to school to pursue higher education, or take refresher course on a field they are familiar with or take classes on arts and crafts. Years of experience will enhance the choices you make, now that precious time is at your disposal. It is never too late to pursue a new career.

TRAVEL

Early on in retirement, plan to see the places you’ve dreamed of that seemed so far away. Realistically, as we grow older, aches and pains seem to surface unexpectedly. The energy level has its ups and downs. Medical conditions that pestered us earlier on seem to demand more attention as we get older. Lucky are those who are able to include travel while active in their careers and raising families.

COMMUNITY /CHURCH INVOLVEMENT

What have you got to offer to your community? Explore your inner strengths, draw from your expertise. With time on your side; get involved with your community. We all can make a difference. Communities are always looking for volunteers. To be one is a worthwhile endeavour for anyone. Join the church choir.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Don’t isolate yourself from friends, associates and family. For those who can only enjoy a few months of summer, fire up the barbecue, spruce up your lawn and garden, enjoy the cool evening summer breeze sitting around an outdoor fire with loved ones. Get to know more about your neighborhood and neighbors. Get involved!

SAVOR NATURE'S BEAUTY

Dare to daydream! Now you have the time to enjoy a nature walks, go bird watching, hone your photographic talents, Nature's beauty frozen in time in your photo album is something to behold.Sit in the garden, in the park or by the seaside or lakeside. Enjoy the serenity of the moment.

These are the enchanting threads of retirement.

Bonnie Moss writes to inspire and to motivate her readers to explore the depths of their heart and soul and make a difference in this world. She draws from personal experience and her interest in the New Age Visit her website : http://goldencupcafe.tripod.com

Article source: Expert Articles

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