We need to redefine "retirement"

Seriously, what comes to mind when you have heard that someone "retired"? 

An idle old person?

Well, there was a recent editorial in the Star Tribune recently that chastised people for "retiring" too early…..that people should continue contributing to society….etc….

Well, I think that for our generation who are just embarking on our second half of life, we need to lose the old connotations of retirement.   Many of us who are "retiring" early are not at all intending to be idle…..nor old! 

I am retired….I guess by the traditional definition.  I get a real kick out ot telling people…..many don't get it.  I can see it in their faces: They think:

1) She must have been fired and is just trying to save face, or

2) She must be a really well-preserved 60+ year old

3) She must be between jobs and is nervous about it.

Well, I guess in a sense I am "between jobs".  I am between that great 20+ career that I had and all the great value I will add to society for the next 20 years doing whatever I choose to do.  I will NOT be idle.  I do NOT intend to feel old for a VERY long time.

If most of us embarking on our second half want to "feel good", "Make a difference", "have fun" and "enjoy life" does this sound idle?  Does this sound old?

Well of course not!

So, help me change the connotation of retirement……Let's redefine it to be this: "that stage in life when one embarks on a journey to make a difference and enjoy life in a manner different than in his/her first half of life." 

Sounds like fun, doesn't it?

Barb