The above statement is a popular statement. It makes a nice greeting card. But I really don't like "greeting card" type statements. I resisted these types of stratements since I was in the seminary and someone mentioned that we are each called to be Alleluias from head to toe. Good grief. Save me from people like that. May they never be allowed to give a homily in a parish.
I have been fully retired for about a week or so - probably more, but who's counting. I began this time totally exhausted - which is not a new condition for those who have read my blog. I kept thinking about this blog and what to write. Then I said to myself, "Self, you're retired fully, no one is making you do this, why are you just adding to your stress - since isn't being fully retired a way to live without stress and deadlines?" I just want to be free now. (for a completely uptight Irish Catholic, being totally free might not look totally free to those who do not understand my particular genetic and behavioral make up. But I do want to be free. Here I will now sound like my "inner toddler" is coming out. I just want to do what I want to do. (That does sound a smidgen self-centered which does not seem right either.)
So I'm going to use this slogan for my retirement years: "Have a great day unless you've made other plans." This is far more appealing and challenging and even fun to me. I believe that this is from the world of 12 Step programs. There is a lot of wisdom that comes to all of us from those meetings.
Thoughts from Helen Keller: “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” I want an adventure!
I do know my short-term goals and long-term goals. I have a whole mess of things that I would like to do - a whole mess of people that I want to connect with. I know that I essentially need a body major tune-up - and that is a good thing both to know and to do.
For me, now - and so it begins. I am very happy about being fully retired. I am delighted that I can still say weekend Mass at the parish - and other times if helpful. I would not be true to my history if I did not say that I do have some concerns, anxieties, and things to worry about. I never worried much about money over the years. That is no longer true - but requires me to deal with a strict budget and decide what is necessary and not necessary. I now know where the best bargains in groceries can be found.
I know that over the next 4 to 6 months or so - There are three physical things, let's call them blips, to be addressed. None are insignificant or routine (at least to me!) But these are all part of my plan for the rest of my life = to have a great day.
I've paused enough as my full retirement begins. I go back to one of my favorite passages from Tennyson: "That which we are, we are - and if we are to be any better, now is the time to begin."
