Our recent blog about Inner Peace and retirement created reactions –
feedback,stimulating conversation, and food for thought. With the permission
of a friend who reuested anonymity I’d like to reflect on his observations.
A long time friend, author, and outwardly transparent friend in Canada
shared…my reason, the sole rationale for retirement is “ So I can find out
who I am”.
WOW!!
He concludes that he is emotionally drained with the seemingly endless
and boring trivia of the daily grind;, and most of all… complying with society’s
continuing expectations. Not his innermost expectations, but those of
society.
Fortunate to be successful in many arenas financial, professional, artistic , he
nevertheless feels that life has been primarily a reaction to circumstances
beyond his control.
He rides the waves of identifying ,seizing, and profiting from business
opportunities. The ability to comprehend the complexities of financial
spreadsheets and negotiating contracts is renown in the business community.
A shining example of servant leadership, employees respect
and applaud his character. They believe he provides security for them now
and the indefinite future .
Religion – oh yes, he laughingly admits to passively attending church
regularly- a societal obligation., a place to make and maintain contacts and
keep the family happy.
Meanwhile, he has never taken time to pause, to reflect, to take charge of his
own life. A dedicated family man, social volunteer, and entrepreneur , life
speeds by at a mind numbing hectic pace.
One recent winter morning, sipping hot coffee and looking out over the snow
covered great plains that are visible from his palatial hillside estate near
Calgary, Canada, a cold realization caused shuttering to the core.
A question hung in the air : Who am I?
Sixty six years old. Respected and indeed beloved by many
in his community.. blessed with a unique capacity to be a “listener”, provide
an empathetic ear, to understand what people are really saying, to sense the
needs and commend others for their gifts and achievements. Yet he recoiled
at the sudden realization of an unanswerable question now shouting irascibly
in his inner each morning:
Who am I?
Accruing more “stuff”, owning a Mcmansion, political power, community
visibility, loyalty to his shareholders, none of these now seem important
in the ever encroaching sunset years.
Legacy – so important in the recent past –now an empty shell alone on the
beach of a distant shore –orphaned without a reflective answer to Who am I?
Turning out the corporate lights, engaging in an introspective life, loosening
the shackles of whatever inhibited him, my dear friend is taking the time,
making it his retirement quest to answer the question Who am I?
Judith Rolfs has written “Breathless: over 100 Minute Meditations For
Connecting Your Heart with God’s , or How Prayer Poetry Speaks
the Language of Angels (Kindle Edition):
With her permission, I’d like to share the following:
Mysterious Life
Mysterious Life
How long shall it be?
For some it seems too lengthy.
For some too short.
I’m glad You’re in charge, Lord of defining length
And giving occasional extensions.
Like the fifteen years
Faithful Hezekiah received.
Or cutting some lives short
Like haughty Herod.
Lord. How many years
Have you determined for me?
I promise not to rush their use,
But see each day as moments to be lived,
Embracing my challenges and pleasures
As I live fully this mysterious life
For as many years as You’ve designated
My body shall experience earthly life.
Psalm 92:13-15
We will continue this discussion about retirement . Your comments and
experiences are as always, welcomed and cherished.
rlhassociates 