Replacing the language and feeling 'I have to' with 'I get to' is one of the most empowering things you can do for your life. It is a gift to take yourself out of the victim box and see the value in what you get to do. I am writing this from 5 days in bed in my trailer that has been my home for the past 6 years. I made one wrong move and I am caring for a swollen knee. I can feel sorry for myself that I am hours alone while my family enjoys going out and doing what they do and the beautiful, Spring weather, that I do not have the space or comfort of a house. I can feel frustrated that I had to interrupt my regular yoga practice and some projects. I can whine about the pain and worry about the need for surgery. Or I can think, Wow, what a privilege to get to do this. Give my body time to heal, not having to worry about getting back to a traditional job and life duties. I have a family who supports me. I am loved. I get to stay here in bed and rest. How many times did I wish for this in moments of exhaustion. My initial reaction was resistance. And then I remembered that I am privileged. I get to choose. I get to.
Loved this letter. Amazing reminder and invitation to reflect.
I enjoy the "pivot" -- moving from what was to what is. I carry my values, my enthusiasm, and my talents. I am on the lookout for purposeful possibilities. At almost 68 times around the sun, I'm in a "rewirement" stage. There are sparks of joy, (hopefully) enlightenment, and an abundance of gratitude. It's a good life.
Exactly!!!!! I leave ya les when people start talking about retirement ( I’m 50) straight after I say name me one person you see as your mentor that has retired. 🦗 work with relish purpose interest beginners mind confidence joy service then swap ans find all that again then again
Love listening to your podcasts on drives & the 2x20 vision. I just turned 50 rotations around the sun:) Why ever retire when driven by purpose 💗 I share the mantra and I am inspired ☺️
I've already reduced my work load to part time, but it's unpredictable hours, short notice and low pay. I feel that I miss out on volunteer opportunities and events that happen on a regular basis in this great city of Toronto. This is the point I'm at in this stage of life. (also 59).
We were created for good works. Everyone has purpose and gifts to share. Retirement is a word made up by the world. Your life is made up of seasons. Your works will be different in every season. Enjoy the work. Appreciate life. Someone is waiting for your work to be done. 💜
Thank you for this. I’m 71 and still love to work. It adds meaning and joy, I love problem solving and learning new stuff. I keep being asked, are you still working and frequently say things like ‘I’m part time …’ etc to reduce the impression that I’m a fanatic, which I suppose I am in many ways.
What a remarkable realisation you share! I never thought about work like that... being worthwhile and worth doing for the joy of it!
I was just carrying on... because it was my own business, and it kept me busy and paid the bills... and then... your story made me think, 'Why? Why do I keep on working?'... And then I realised that I actually LOVED my job!
Why? So many reasons! I love the people I work with. I love my clients! I love the freedom of being my own boss, not having someone above me telling me what to do!
I love having to make the tough calls inherent in how money has to be spent, and whether it will be worth the cost and what benefits it would bring. That figuring out keeps my brain nimbler than it might have been if I was just sitting around.
I love the contractors who do stuff for me. I see them only when things need fixing or sorting out, but they have become old buddies! They trust me and I trust them, and I so admire their technical skills and reliability. What a blessing they are!
I love waking up in the morning and looking ahead at the day and the repeating activities that need my brain and my energy and my enthusiasm. I love sorting things out for the people who use our services, and how they smile when they see me and give me hugs!
I also love the independence earning my own living gives me, the freedom to choose, the freedom to be myself and not have to pretend I am better or smarter or more attractive or richer or anything else. I love working in my old working clothes, and not wearing makeup or high heels or tight skirts or makeup if I don't want to. I love being to a certain extent invisible except to the few who know and work with me or use my service. And I love the occasional times that those same people really look at me and KNOW me, and open their arms to hug me when they see me. What would I give any of that up?
THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME TO COUNT MY BLESSINGS!!!
Replacing the language and feeling 'I have to' with 'I get to' is one of the most empowering things you can do for your life. It is a gift to take yourself out of the victim box and see the value in what you get to do. I am writing this from 5 days in bed in my trailer that has been my home for the past 6 years. I made one wrong move and I am caring for a swollen knee. I can feel sorry for myself that I am hours alone while my family enjoys going out and doing what they do and the beautiful, Spring weather, that I do not have the space or comfort of a house. I can feel frustrated that I had to interrupt my regular yoga practice and some projects. I can whine about the pain and worry about the need for surgery. Or I can think, Wow, what a privilege to get to do this. Give my body time to heal, not having to worry about getting back to a traditional job and life duties. I have a family who supports me. I am loved. I get to stay here in bed and rest. How many times did I wish for this in moments of exhaustion. My initial reaction was resistance. And then I remembered that I am privileged. I get to choose. I get to.
Loved this letter. Amazing reminder and invitation to reflect.
When "I have to" is replaced with "I get to", the whole picture changes from dark, gathering clouds to a glorious sunrise 🌄🌅
I enjoy the "pivot" -- moving from what was to what is. I carry my values, my enthusiasm, and my talents. I am on the lookout for purposeful possibilities. At almost 68 times around the sun, I'm in a "rewirement" stage. There are sparks of joy, (hopefully) enlightenment, and an abundance of gratitude. It's a good life.
Forever seeking a “job” that will bring me purpose and joy (even a tiny smidge of it)
Exactly!!!!! I leave ya les when people start talking about retirement ( I’m 50) straight after I say name me one person you see as your mentor that has retired. 🦗 work with relish purpose interest beginners mind confidence joy service then swap ans find all that again then again
Love listening to your podcasts on drives & the 2x20 vision. I just turned 50 rotations around the sun:) Why ever retire when driven by purpose 💗 I share the mantra and I am inspired ☺️
I've already reduced my work load to part time, but it's unpredictable hours, short notice and low pay. I feel that I miss out on volunteer opportunities and events that happen on a regular basis in this great city of Toronto. This is the point I'm at in this stage of life. (also 59).
We were created for good works. Everyone has purpose and gifts to share. Retirement is a word made up by the world. Your life is made up of seasons. Your works will be different in every season. Enjoy the work. Appreciate life. Someone is waiting for your work to be done. 💜
Thank you for this. I’m 71 and still love to work. It adds meaning and joy, I love problem solving and learning new stuff. I keep being asked, are you still working and frequently say things like ‘I’m part time …’ etc to reduce the impression that I’m a fanatic, which I suppose I am in many ways.
I'm far from retirement. And yet it's like someone has put words to describe exactly how I feel. Thank you.
What a remarkable realisation you share! I never thought about work like that... being worthwhile and worth doing for the joy of it!
I was just carrying on... because it was my own business, and it kept me busy and paid the bills... and then... your story made me think, 'Why? Why do I keep on working?'... And then I realised that I actually LOVED my job!
Why? So many reasons! I love the people I work with. I love my clients! I love the freedom of being my own boss, not having someone above me telling me what to do!
I love having to make the tough calls inherent in how money has to be spent, and whether it will be worth the cost and what benefits it would bring. That figuring out keeps my brain nimbler than it might have been if I was just sitting around.
I love the contractors who do stuff for me. I see them only when things need fixing or sorting out, but they have become old buddies! They trust me and I trust them, and I so admire their technical skills and reliability. What a blessing they are!
I love waking up in the morning and looking ahead at the day and the repeating activities that need my brain and my energy and my enthusiasm. I love sorting things out for the people who use our services, and how they smile when they see me and give me hugs!
I also love the independence earning my own living gives me, the freedom to choose, the freedom to be myself and not have to pretend I am better or smarter or more attractive or richer or anything else. I love working in my old working clothes, and not wearing makeup or high heels or tight skirts or makeup if I don't want to. I love being to a certain extent invisible except to the few who know and work with me or use my service. And I love the occasional times that those same people really look at me and KNOW me, and open their arms to hug me when they see me. What would I give any of that up?
THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME TO COUNT MY BLESSINGS!!!