Читать книгу Purposeful Retirement Workbook & Planner - Hyrum W. Smith - Страница 7

THE REST OF YOUR LIFE CAN BE THE BEST OF YOUR LIFE

The British have a saying, “Who is she when she’s at home?” This idiom from across the pond points to something very important—we show different faces to the world. In recent decades, we spend more time at the office than anywhere. Thus, the face you show at work is very closely tied to your sense of self. Most of us spend around 50 years working, and whether you climbed the corporate ladder or spent your days at a trade you love, working-life is deeply encoded in your identity. There is also the social aspect, with friendships, rites of passage, shared goals, and close bonds from shared failures and successes. From your lunchtime chats over the years you no doubt know the names of your coworkers’ children, spouses, and maybe even their pets. They, in turn, know about your hopes and dreams, have weathered your career setbacks alongside you and have been there for you through it all. Many lifelong friendships have started at the workplace, to be treasured and maintained long after the job ends.

It is not so easy to simply drop this side of you as you enter this new phase of your life. The best advice I can pass along is that you are still you. You bring the same value to the world even when you stop going to work five days a week. In fact, you might now be able to contribute more in service to the world by giving back to others, a marvelous benefit that comes with the opportunity to manage your time in a different way.

It’s all in your hands, completely up to you. You have a choice, and my suggestion is that you embrace these years with zest. Whatever you do, do not withdraw from life or sit around and wait for things to happen. Be passionate, not passive. The rest of your life can be the best of your life. Each day is an opportunity to improve your relationships, stimulate your mind, invigorate your body, and grow spiritually. Retirement can easily be an unbelievably bright future for you and your loved ones. You are not a “has been,” you are a “will be.” Above all, be purposeful. Enjoy all that lies before you!