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STAYING ENGAGED – UN-RETIRING

1/12/2020

7 Comments

 
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​This month we continue our topic of conversation Staying Engaged ~ Un-Retiring. Our retirement years are the time of life that many of us look forward to, a long-awaited period that can offer constant relaxation and a reprieve away from the stresses of the workplace.

There’s often an opportunity to travel for extended periods or to take up a hobby or that art class we’ve always wanted to do. There is a myriad of things we will have on our ‘to do’ list for when we reach that magic age of retirement. 

​It sounds idyllic, however, do these activities really bring us fulfilment and true inner contentment during our elder years? 
This month we have three very inspiring articles for you to read.  Un-Retiring by Sandra, Never Too Old by Mary and Misconceptions of Ageing by Gill and Christina.

Their journeys are unique to them but relevant to us all when we live our retirement years with purpose and a commitment to staying engaged with others, we can have very fulfilling, rewarding and happy ‘retirement years’.
 
Last month we also had two very inspiring articles written on this subject. They were Unfolding from Within – Un-retiring by Bernadette and Purpose by Catherine. Both of these authors discovered that un-retirement for them is about an inner journey, a deeper connection to themselves and the importance of bringing that part of themselves to the world around them
 
Let’s continue this conversation knowing that our stories can inspire others to look forward to their ‘un-retiring’ elder years.
7 Comments
Christina Mehew
4/11/2020 12:31:58 pm

So lovely to read that we can find such valuable purpose in our un-retirements. I retired from full-time work in 2010, and did some self-employment and some voluntary work since then because I wanted to keep sharing myself with the world. In 2015, at age 66, I went back to paid work as a carer, having changed my life completely by moving to the City to a new-built house. I am still doing this job, and find fulfilment everyday, working in a team with clear roles and purpose. With this clarity in the job I am supported to work with love in a heart-centred way, knowing that how and what I present at every moment is the result of how I have lived. Bringing love to my own self-care and in everything I do, without perfection, means I naturally radiate this love out to others. For a little while now I have been looking for a new challenge and have been offered two part-time jobs working with children. I’d never have believed this was possible in my 71st year on earth!

Reply
Mary Holmes
6/11/2020 07:20:09 am

Catherine, I love what you have shared in your article re the purpose in your elder years; “It moves me to tears to know that at 76, I finally feel my purpose: To hold humanity in love and express that in everything I do, say, think.” What a full-time purpose to have, especially when involved with people as I am in my daily life. Recently I have moved into an over 55’s village life community, where I have ample experience of what you have shared, as I am continually meeting and interacting with people on a daily basis. My purpose is very much the same, being totally present within myself and connecting with everyone I meet and have a conversation with. Sure I was doing this before I moved here, but now it has come more to my attention than ever before. What an opportunity for purpose given to me right before my eyes.

Reply
Lynne Paull-McLeod
6/11/2020 07:31:31 am

Christina, it is beautiful to feel the richness and joy of your life in your elder years. It's clear to me from reading your comment that you simply love getting out of bed each day and embracing whatever unfolds for you. Glorious!!

Reply
Gayle
6/11/2020 01:33:35 pm

'Staying engaged' - I love this phrase. I quit full time work a few years ago, for no other reason than it just felt like it was the right time. I have never had a day in which I was left sitting around wondering what to do. If anything, I feel more engaged than ever. Everything I do, I do because I want to do it - not because I 'have to'. As we develop the YES response one opportunity flows after another. Of course, this doesn't mean you say yes to everything! Discern. But don't be afraid of saying yes! Stay engaged. Maybe that is the new Baby Boomer mantra.

Reply
Rosemary Liebe
15/11/2020 06:41:49 pm

I love this Christina. “It moves me to tears to know that at 76, I finally feel my purpose: To hold humanity in love and express that in everything I do, say, think." Just goes to show that if we connect to purpose there is no retiring even if we have stopped "going to work". Being aware of our purpose fills our days regardless of what we are doing because purpose is a way of being, as Christina so beautifully shares with us, in all that we say and do and can be shared with everyone we come into contact with and has the ability to reach loved ones and further afield to people in need that we may not even know. So there is no retiring when it comes to purpose!

Reply
Gayle
16/11/2020 06:39:48 pm

You've offered us another great 'catch phrase', Rosemary: "There is no retiring when it comes to purpose!"

Reply
Bernadette Curtin link
17/11/2020 07:11:15 pm

I can feel the vitality and sense of engagement with life in the comments from the writers above. It feels like when we are adaptable, willing and active, life brings new opportunities to keep us connected to each other.

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