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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