It’s been a little more difficult to find my “groove” as a retired nurse than I thought it would be. I am happy to let my role of a caregiver slide slowly out of my life, but the difficult part is controlling my thoughts. This is so very important as my thoughts control my feelings which can control my attitude. Who am I now? Who do I want to be? I think of all the people who have retired before me. Surely some of them can relate to how I feel. I think of all the other Baby Boomers who are moving out of their own careers, now or in the near future. So much of our identity has been who we are in the work force. And there’s that feeling of wanting to be needed, because somehow that makes us feel important. Well, I am coming to realize I can feel important without having to be so needy feeling needed. It gets complicated, huh?
The decades of having a schedule is what stumps me the most. I wake up in the mornings thinking, “What do I need to do today?”. Then I realize most days I am really not on a clock any more. I think of that old saying, “put out to pasture”, and it comes to me that I do not feel like “that old, grey mare”. I feel more like that young foal, finally let out of the barn to explore a great, big field! So much I can choose to do, so much freedom. I am learning it is O.K. to run as slow as I need and it’s O.K. to be a little cautious as I check out my new choices for my life. I can stay close to the barn even as I feel that pull to kick up my heels and head out into the world. Because I understand this concept I can slowly but surely, walk out into a new world and feel more confident every day. And I am realizing this takes practice and lots of encouragement, from myself and other people.
Encouragement can arrive in my universe in all kinds of ways. A friend of mine from my spiritual center sent this out as a multiple email this morning. It was really for another friend but it immediately resonated with me. Just what I needed. Notice the map in the background. An international field! Unlimited! And who doesn’t love Dr. Seuss? A whole different perspective on the image of a mountain. No, it doesn’t have to be a daunting and challenging climb. It can be an adventure with the ultimate goal being enjoy the journey.
My friend Shawna that swims with me at the Y has been retired for a few years. She told me last week her life is much less rigid than when she was working. Now she says her life is so fluid. I love that word “fluid”. Go with the flow. Better yet allow the flow of Life to come to me, to flow through me, as I’m “off to great places!”. I’m not in a big hurry either, because I don’t want to miss anything!
c Love, Joan
Life is a grand adventure! Now you can take the time to appreciate all the things you missed by having a “schedule.” Yes, you have been mindful and aware of the world around you, but I can tell you that getting out of the daily work habit is a blessing. At least when I choose to see it that way. A time for self-care, slowing down to prepare healthy meals, treat myself to little things that make me happy and smile. Then I can play with blessing all the people in the world around me. Look the clerk in the eye, compliment the wait staff, hold the door for a stranger. It all blesses me as I stay alert for opportunities to bless others! Enjoy your journey! I hope to see you soon!
Thank you Rev. Rick! I love your Blessings you bestow on people all around you! A good practice, one I shall increase in my practice as I learn to slow down.
You will find your groove! Takes time but I know you will and will thoroughly enjoy your retirement.
Thank you beautiful Lady! I have watched you over the past years and see how you enjoy your life!
One day at a time! I’m certain you are doing all things with a beautiful smile on your face!
Thanks beautiful Girl! :O)
Maybe they still do, but once upon a time, Spokane Washington’s Unity church gave a copy of Dr. Seuss’s “Oh The Places You’ll Go” with this page to all it’s graduating high schoolers. I thought it such a lovely practice. I have long wrestled w/ finding rhythm and inner ease with retirement But you,Shawna and Rev. Rick got me to coalescing words for an idea slowly brewing. What if we couched retirement in terms of “graduating”? Graduating from the world of “doing” and embarking into the exciting “fluid” sea of getting comfortable w/ just “being”. What if we understood en masse how, when conscious of it, elders hold up the spiritual envelope of enJOYment, peace, kindness, reflection and connection for humanity and the world beyond? Perhaps this creates a cosmic balance vitally important to all the worker bees… Perhaps it is healing to those passed… I thought I might travel the world in retirement. I am. Oh the places I’m going… INSIDE… And the “worth-the-wait” view astounds me… Thanks for the opportunity to put words to the journey! x0