I can’t help but be reminded I am middle aged. I have crossed over to the other half of my journey here on earth. When I look back on my life, I can remember many years as if they were yesterday, and some memories I can see as if I watched it on a movie. I find myself realizing that retirement, the next big chapter of my life, will be here before I know it. Many people have no idea what they will do when their life’s work comes to a close but I have thought long and hard about my retirement days and you should too, if you have not already.
It is a simple answer if you look within, what does the perfect day look like for you? Have you had the perfect day? Maybe you were on vacation, maybe it was a visit with a friend, maybe it was a day in the midst of your career, or possibly it was a perfect week where vacation and work co-mingled.
I can honestly tell you my perfect days almost always began with waking up at the beach. The sun is shining, there is a little chill in the morning air. I head out for a long walk or run along the shore line, just some alone time with my thoughts and God. My afternoon is spent with friends or family, sitting and sharing memories, or enjoying a good book. Just sheerly appreciating the day as it comes with no real expectations or worries, just sweet anticipation of cocktail hour and dinner where more great conversation will be had with the people I love.
I am a worker though and that won’t ever change. My best days of work are when I leave knowing I made a difference in someone else’s day, whether that be by helping them with their tasks or mentoring them through a difficult conversation. So I know that my retirement hours will include some type of work where I am helping people. I need to mingle both my pleasures and helping others into my retirement days.
Have you given any thought to your next chapter? Or that you might be like me and are middle aged? Spend some quiet time and start to reflect on what you want out of that stage of life. Once you have figured it out, put a plan in place to make that happen.
