Finding Faith in Retirement is Rewarding

For many people, retirement is a time of self-reflection and finding faith in retirement is something that happens to many people as they settle into their golden years.  While much of what we discuss here in this website is about enjoying life to the fullest, creating a sense of fulfillment is important as well.  My faith has been a very important part of my life and, although the last thing I intend to do is preach about it, I think some self-reflection at this point in our lives is important.

Decades of living have left a trail of actions and relationships and when we take the time to look back over our lives we all have bright spots and other times that we’re not that proud of.  We cannot change one moment of the past and we have to accept that.  We can, however, bring a sense of peace to any situation with a conscious effort to forgive.  This means accepting things that happened by accident, forgiving those who we felt wronged by and even forgiving ourselves for something we’re not proud of.  True forgiveness of self may involve a long overdue apology but that’s a personal matter.

Finding Faith in Retirement Can Happen Anywhere

Finding faith in retirement is different for everyone and religion plays an important role for many in that process.  I will not discuss religion here.  That is very personal.   But I will discuss the benefits of taking the time to examine our own life.  This website encourages that process of self-examination to find a hobby, interest or activity that you may have forgotten about, but it might be even more valuable when attempt to come to peace with how we lived our lives and realizing everything that we have to be grateful for.  The feeling of gratitude is one of the most sincere and significant emotions we can have, and I believe there is much to be grateful for in this world.

Let’s be realistic.  It’s an accomplishment just to live long enough to get to the point where you can retire!  You should feel good about it because it’s something not everyone gets to enjoy.  Taking the time to look back on all the things you did and accomplished and overcame will get you to realize what a wonderful and remarkable life you’ve had.  No one ever lived the life that you lived!  You’re one of a kind!  It’s something to celebrate and be grateful for.  Finding faith in retirement can be as easy as adopting an attitude of gratitude for all that you have.  That’s an overused cliché but it’s entirely appropriate.  Don’t use the standards that the world uses.  You may not be rich or famous but, in the end, we all leave this world with the same question: am I pleased with how I lived my life and how I behaved toward others?

This self-analysis doesn't have to be painful.  Just find a quiet spot and think back over your life.  Look at some old pictures, call up old friends and reminisce about old times.  It’s not living in the past – it’s appreciating it.  Watch the sun come up in the morning or set in the evening.  Think about all that has happened in your life.  While you’re at it, think about all that’s happened in the world.   We’ve lived through some incredible times.  You survived it all and are here to talk about it.  My father served in the Navy in World War II and, although he didn’t talk too often to us about it, he had “war stories” to share with other guys his age who had similar experiences.  In his later years I did get him to talk about his ten years in the service and I could tell he was very proud to have served his country.  It made him feel good whenever he recalled those days.

Even though I came to draft age during the Vietnam War, I never was called upon to serve because of my student deferment and my lottery number of 361.  I lost a couple of friends in the war and looking up their names on the wall in Washington D.C. was a very moving experience.  It made me appreciate the gift of life that I had been given.  I believe that’s what finding faith in retirement is all about.

Whether you’re comfortable in a big cathedral, a small church or a private balcony watching the sunset, I think that taking a few minutes each day to be thankful for what you have in life is a step forward in developing an appreciation for all that you have.  It is very helpful to me to stay positive and be thankful for the wonderful life I have been given.  It also makes me realize how our lives are a series of small decisions and actions that create a chain reaction that has put each of us where we are today.  Our paths have crossed in a small way because you’re reading these words, and I am thankful for that.  Hopefully, something that I’ve written on this website will inspire you to make the most of this wonderful life each of us has been given.  It’s time to Enjoy Retired Life!

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