I am not a Letterman fan, but I was reading a speech he made and it reminded me of how I felt after the first retirement and how my dad felt at his final retirement from pastoring.
Two days after retiring the first time, my truck died and I pulled to the side of the road hurriedly I tried to figure out the problem. Then I laughed out loud thinking, Why are you in a hurry? You have no where you must be and nothing pressing to do. A few days ago when I said 'jump', 36 people asked how high? (figuratively speaking). Now I stood there, just a guy no responsibility. After a few more days I did not realize it then but as Letterman said, 'my self esteem started to falter.'
I found something to do and actually went back to work. When I retired the second time I was prepared, I had a plan and it has worked for me.
It never worked for my dad. 4 weeks after retirement from 50 years of pastoring he was miserable. He had no responsibilities and NO HOBBIES, he did not golf, fish or travel. Although he was in demand most weekends to preach somewhere, his self esteem fell.
If he had taken a 'sabbatical' of a month or so, he would have been back in harness. The church he pastored could easily have paid his salary and that of a temporary replacement, but that was not in vogue...
Retirement is GREAT, if you are ready for it. Plan for it, talk to your peers who have retired. The average human is not happy to lay around and watch soap operas, but if you are that is great. JUST DO NOT LET YOUR SELF ESTEEM DRIFT AWAY, you are still in His Army and have a place.
Just my observations... Retired and loving it. I even like myself most of the time.
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Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/ |
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5/24/16 11:29 am
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Nearing Retirement? Letterman said it well.
