Someone needs to say it. I guess it’s up to me. Here goes: retirement often isn’t all we dream it to be. When you think of retirement what comes to your mind?
- Sitting on the beach in Florida?
- Taking a cruise around the world?
- Binge watching every episode of Mash?
- Relocating to a retirement community so you can chat about health issues with other old people?
Stop and think of the meaning of the word retire. Dictionary.com offers this information:
- to withdraw, or go away or apart, to a place of privacy, shelter, or seclusion:
He retired to his study. - to go to bed: He retired at midnight.
- to withdraw from office, business, or active life, usually because of age:
to retire at the age of sixty. - to fall back or retreat in an orderly fashion and according to plan, as from battle, an untenable position, danger, etc.
- to withdraw or remove oneself: After announcing the guests, the butler retired.
verb (used with object), retired, retiring. - to withdraw from circulation by taking up and paying, as bonds, bills, etc.; redeem.
- to withdraw or lead back (troops, ships, etc.), as from battle or danger; retreat.
- to remove from active service or the usual field of activity, as an army officer or business executive.
- to withdraw (a machine, ship, etc.) permanently from its normal service, usually for scrapping; take out of use.
- Sports. to put out (a batter, side, etc.).
Read the list again. Wouldn’t you agree there is not much appealing about the list? Think of it. We can’t wait until we retire: withdraw from circulation, go to bed, fall back, remove from action, strike out, and retreat. Really? Not me.
Retirement is the new dream of millions of Baby Boomers. But there’s the dream and then there’s the reality. Too often new retirees feel lost. Cut off from friends at work and with no time table for the day they struggle to figure out their new life. And there are serious possible health issues associated with early retirement. For example, in an article by Medical Daily four health related issues received attention: premature death through cardiovascular disease, dementia, depression, and anxiety. (Read the entire article HERE.)
Larry King retired and confessed he couldn’t stand it. He ditched retirement and went back to work.
Why do we even think the goal in life is to retire? Where does that come from? I’m not sure but here’s my goal: I’m going to REFIRE instead of RETIRE.
The meaning of the word refire is simple. It means “to fire again.” I LOVE the idea. When I think of reFIREment instead of reTIREment I’m thinking of spending my days doing what really fires me up. It is an opportunity to gather my resources and do what turns me on.
What lights you up? Are you passionate about rescuing pit bulls? Are you excited about teaching adults how to read? Have you always wanted to start your own walking tour company of historic Philadelphia? Does the thought of growing heirloom tomatoes and selling along the curb get you fired up?
Please. Don’t. Retire. Instead go and refire. Find what ignites your senses and go do it.
What would reFIREment look like for you?
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I’ve had lots of people tell me that they had to go back to work because they couldn’t get along full time with their mates. When I retired at 56 years of age, Carol and I almost immediately went to work on the mission field together. We were thrown together 24/7. It has been the greatest experience of my life and we have loved what God has made possible for us through His Church and our willingness. It hasn’t always been easy but it has always been exciting and many times on the edge. I wouldn’t trade it for anything and it has been the most exciting time of our lives. Thank you Jesus. Johnny
Sounds like you refired and didn’t retire!
I would LOVE to do this sort of thing. (Just retired at the end of the school year.) How did the 2 of you get started?
I’m not sure of your question?! Started doing what?
I was replying to Johnny. How did they get started on mission trips?
Ah! Got it. Thanks for clarifying.
Wow. I’ve been retired for almost 8 years and I’m lovin’ it. I have time to spend with my grandkids, to read the books I want to read, quilt (learned how in my retirement!), ride my vintage bicycle (which was a retirement gift from my workplace!), and I never started writing until I retired, although I worked for a newspaper for 23 years! In fact, I published a book AFTER I retired. I’m kinda crippled up with RA and so traveling doesn’t appeal to me much, but we did take a cruise a couple of years ago. Yes, I’m retired, but refired, too! Thanks, Randy, for reminding us there’s so much more!
I don’t think i can retire because i get bored to easily. I’d rather stay busy serving the Lord and my church.
Yep! Me too.
Yes I would agree retirement sucks. Spending 24/7 with the same person is torture and unnatural, especially when they do not have the same interests. I love to read intellectual non-fiction, but then have no one to carry on any sort of intellectual conversation because my husband doesn’t know much about anything and has no interest any learning anything new. You never truly know a person (I’m talking about a spouse) until you have to spend all day and night every day with them! Everyone needs time alone (even Jesus went off to be alone on occasion), but when you are retired that is a luxury you may not be afforded (especially if your spouse is always in your business). So, married folks, think long and hard before you take the final step into retirement!
retirement isnt supposed to be a total bummer but for me it is. there just isnt eneough money to live on. i became permanatly disabled 10 yrs ago and at that time i thought i could get by in life on 2000.00 a month with medicare.WRONG!
rents have doubled and tripled! food prices are so high now that i go hungry often. healthcare costs? insurance is a joke! i cant afford to do anything! i keep busy with hobbies and sometimes earn a little side money but it still wont pay the rent. been living in a camper van ever since i retired .i just see no way to afford my own place and i want more out of life than rotting away [btw i cant stand television!] in a 10 x 12 room [feels almost like being in jail] throwing half my income away paying some one elses mortgage. i refuse! i dont want to live with other people! i rent a 10 x 20 garage for 200 a mo and i have somewhere to go during the day and find something to do but even with electricity and internet included[no toilet or hott water] im bored chittless! i just can not seem to find any thing FUN in life anymore. im very alone and have no girlfriend, i cant afford one! no matter how much and for how long i save any money to get ahead i cant! even if i save 10k then what? a krummy apt and maybe a poor quality used car and a few dental implants? again what i have seen in the last ten years nothing but phuckery in american society and yes there is discrimination on fixed income. my biggest fear is winding up in JAIL just for being low income and disabled. sleeping in your vehicle is a criminal offense in ca and a 600.00 fine! instead of eating well i smoke weed and tobacco instead,its cheaper! a place to live out my golden years? i gave up! rent is an impossible dream. next is a tent along side the fwy i reckon. the cost of having a vehicle is going insane also[why have one if im driving it ten miles a week?
all i want from retirement is a place to live,a stereo and basics[ dont think it will happen] im worried i may live a long time [soc sec thought i would be dead by now] do i want to live longer? not really…. again wheres the FUN?