In a million years the word “retirement” only happened to other people. It wasn’t a word in my vocabulary, until NOW.
I’m not ready…so I thought. Thinking…that’s what gets me in so much trouble.
Remaining at the same company for 17 years has its pros and cons. I’ll start with the cons.
Cons:
- Remaining at a company for 17 years.
- It usually becomes hum drum…car is in auto-pilot.
- The feeling of being stuck. Where can I go from here?
- Is this all there is?
- Multi-tasking is not a good thing.
- Most people are out for themselves. It’s a brutal and dog-eat-dog world.
Then reality checks in. Boom. Seventeen years of your life and then you’re out of there!
Pros:
- It’s a grand accomplishment to stay at a company for 17 years.
- Gaining of knowledge of all sorts of things. In my case, software, technology, training, different cultures.
- Learning what you want and don’t want to do going forward.
- You learn about people you want to spend your day with and those who might be toxic and
you RUN. You now have the option. - Me time. I don’t have to rush in the morning. I can take my time to do my devotionals and pray
and breathe. - No traffic jitters.
- If I want to view the sunrise, I can.
- Too many more to continue.
I’m sure you get the jest of what I’m saying.
For me it came quick. It wasn’t a planned event, by me…but it was by God. So, it was a matter of accepting His purpose and moving onward. Tough love.
I decided to go straight into volunteer work for the next year anyway. Only He knows if I will continue after the year commitment. My plans are not usually God’s. That’s the beauty of knowing He has a plan for all of us. (Jeremiah 29:11)
I’m still trying to wrap my head around this “retirement” thing, but I’m certain I’m going to get the hang of it quite soon.
My youngest son calls it my “re-invent-me” time. I think he’s right. Possibilities are endless.
Onward…