May 29, 2000
FAMILY MATTERS:
You can find meaning after retirement
___I recently retired after looking forward to it for years. At first, it was great. Now, after six months, it seems I am no longer a useful member of society. I am even nostalgic for the old "grind." Do other retirees feel the same way?
___You bet they do. Remember the old adage, "What is important in life is to have something to do, someone to love and something to believe in"?
___You are experiencing the "nothing to do" syndrome. Yes, there are things you can do, but you may be trying to compare these to what you considered worthwhile based upon criteria you used in your work life. Now you must measure differently.
Mary Stephens
Vice President,
Buckner Retirement
Services, Dallas
___Many people base success on their salary. Having money to meet our needs is something we must think about. However, if you are looking for something to give your life meaning, monetary rewards may not be the best measure of success.
___There are many wonderful things you can do in retirement. Let's consider activities that not only would have meaning for you but meaning for others as well. For often in helping others, we find a new level of satisfaction in our lives.
___If you enjoy working in the garden, think about joining a gardening club that is involved in community beautification. If you love art, volunteer to serve as a docent for school children in an art museum. If you love to read, join in our nation's literacy effort to give the joy of reading to other adults or children. If you speak another language, offer to translate for others or become certified in English as a Second Language to give others language skills.
___Your church is a good place to look to in order to find ways to help others. Visiting those in the hospital, driving someone to the doctor, taking food to someone who has had recent surgery or helping in Vacation Bible School all are ways to show our love for the Lord as well as for others.
___Although none of these jobs has "CEO" after the title, another acronym for "CEO" is "Christ Envisions Opportunities." Take the opportunity given to you through retirement to help others. And perhaps you will have the opportunity to share your faith with someone. That gift of knowing our Lord and Savior would be something no amount of money can buy.
___Now that you are fully rested from your six months of retirement, don't retreat, but join the active world around you. You will be blessed.
___Mary Stephens
___Vice President,
___Buckner Retirement
___Services, Dallas
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