MY IDEA OF "RETIREMENT"

When I "retired" around ten years ago, I never imagined that I would just quit what I was doing, relax mostly and pamper myself. I thought of "retirement" as just slowing down a bit, but keeping on doing ministry of some kind. It occurred to me that in "retirement" I could "keep on keepin' on," but instead of merely repeating the things I did in the past,  I could stay energized by taking on newer and different projects. 

As a result, it feels like I am busier than ever! It feels good mainly because what I do is life-giving for me and, from what I hear, for several others as well! As the quotes at the top of this page say (Thomas `a Kempis and Gospel of Luke), I have been "reading, writing, praying and completing new projects for the public good." I do this from a deep sense of gratitude. It's really about "giving back," if you will! Yes, taking on these new projects is definitely motivated by gratitude, not guilt! 

Since "retirement" started around ten years ago, I have posted on this blog almost every other day, published several books, celebrated Masses in two or more parishes and two nursing homes, given a few lectures, conducted a few funerals, written, published and printed many homilies. I helped sponsor the building of a new church in Kenya, the building of a new house for a single mother and paying the tuition, room and board for some seminarians in Tanzania - among other things.   

My best advice, to all you new retirees, is this! Don't stop! Don't just repeat things you did in the past! Rest a while  and then get back to work! This time around, do something new that gives you life and gives new life to others!  As the Book of Proverbs says, "If you water others, you yourself will be watered!" Being other-focused will keep you engaged, keep you healthy and help you keep a "youthfulness of spirit" as Pope John Paul II called it! ! Remember what Bob Dylan used to say, "If you're not busy being born, you're busy dying!" 

At my age, I can hear the "big clock" ticking so I am trying to "make hay while the sun shines!"

But then, there's this..............................!!!!