8.20.18Hi Linda -
Hope I'm not intruding on your summer. I have a feeling you're pretty good at step away from emails, etc. when needed.
I think you know retirement is coming up for us. I wonder if there are any books you have to recommend on this changing time of life. I'm okay with retiring. Not a problem. But of course there are all those questions about purpose, aging, etc. that sometimes get the best of me. Books have often provided guidance and lessons for me. I have I probably need to read again but I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask others.
Thanks so much for your consideration.
You may now resume what's left of your summer ;)
8.20.18
Sure! I'll see what I can dig up ...
Could I use your middle paragraph as the basis of a blog post without identifying you ... might get a whole lot of interesting input from readers.Whatever works for you is good for me ...Linda x
8.20.18
Absolutely. Feel free to use it ...
8.29.18
Hi!
Sorry to take so long in getting back with you. Lots of family time has kept my laptop closed. But you've been on my mind.
I have 3 books that might encourage you ... they're not about retirement per se, but might touch the musings you have in this season.
Gordon MacDonald
Alan Nelson
Rick Warren
And these 3 links ...
financial how-tos
I'll be centering a post around your email in the next week or so. Would love to get a conversation going re: transitions, change, retirement, etc.
See you then ~
Linda
See you then ~
Linda
9.3.18
Hey Blog Readers!
You may be facing retirement or currently find yourself making your way through one of a million life-altering transitions. For better or for worse, whatever wonderful or dreadful events you're living through or have survived, this post is for you.
And not only for you, but by you, too. I'm inviting you to weigh in on anything and everything to do with retirement or transitions, this oft' challenging process of releasing our hold on what's behind so we can embrace all that lies ahead.
To kick off our discussion, I've asked the retiree I know and love best, my husband Tim, to talk about lessons learned in his recent leap into {smile} the 'golden years'.
And it can be quite difficult if you've grown to define yourself by the hats you've worn along the way.
You may be facing retirement or currently find yourself making your way through one of a million life-altering transitions. For better or for worse, whatever wonderful or dreadful events you're living through or have survived, this post is for you.
And not only for you, but by you, too. I'm inviting you to weigh in on anything and everything to do with retirement or transitions, this oft' challenging process of releasing our hold on what's behind so we can embrace all that lies ahead.
To kick off our discussion, I've asked the retiree I know and love best, my husband Tim, to talk about lessons learned in his recent leap into {smile} the 'golden years'.
3 Top Things I Considered When I Retired
1... I needed something to do.
Years ago, I heard you need at least 7 interests in retirement for it to work well. Maybe 5 is a better target to start off with. These can be simple things that take just a bit of time or things that require more time commitment. Asking your spouse, 'What are we doing next?' does not count.
2... I found weaning off the 40 - 70 hour work week a good approach.
It tended to help with financial adjustments and gave me time to learn how to fill all those extra hours I now have. I would suggest a year or less of weaning as you work on #1 above.
3... I wanted to stay in contact with people I had worked with because they are part of my life story.
I doubt too many businesses fail because of the departure of any one person, so make these contacts about life stuff. Remember, you retired from work. The ones still working really really love to hear how much fun you are having with your 40 - 70 hour play week.
Tim
4 Thoughts on Transitions
1. Transitions come into our lives with amazing regularity. Some are planned for and others knock the wind out of us with their sudden arrival.
We're talking of the space around life events - births, deaths, marriages, divorces. Job situations, re-locations, financial upheavals, betrayals. Loss of relationships, pets, status. Moves to and from churches, schools, and homesteads. Accidents, health diagnoses, abandonment, addictions, legal challenges.
The list goes on and on. These range from the most joyous of happenings to the most tragic of events.
2. Healthy transitions involve two processes ... saying farewell and saying hello.
On the Need to Release Our Former Roles explores the need to allow ourselves the grace to morph and grow. Shedding our former roles is a necessity so we can open ourselves up wide to what God has for us next. This can involve a whole lot of grieving, re-imagining, reinvention. It can be exhilarating, exhausting, inspiring. And it can be quite difficult if you've grown to define yourself by the hats you've worn along the way.
3. A whole bunch of transitions colliding together within a short space of time? We're talking seismic impact ... and the lengthening of a 'typical' transition time frame.
In a three month window of time, I said farewell to ministry leadership, counseling clients, my hometown of 38 years, my dearest friends, our house, familiar hang-outs and routines. We encountered a new state, a new culture, a new church, a new rhythm ... and the sudden deaths of my dad and grandson.
Add my husband working from home for two years, retiring last year, and some difficult family situations. Honestly? Three years after the much anticipated move, I'm still figuring things out.
4. Transitional seasons offer a perfect scenario for our faith to take roots and soar.
When all around us is shifting, collapsing, or morphing, embracing the comforting truth that God is in charge and that He never changes can settle our souls and give us a healthy perspective. Leaning into His strength lends us the grace and emotional energy to do the hard work of releasing what's behind and embracing all He has planned for us to be and do.
Ok, it's your turn, my friends. Do tell your stories about transitions, retirement, and everything in between. We want to hear what worked and what didn't ... and please share any resources, links, and books that might help others.
The floor is yours ...
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