Parkhurst: Longing to retire? The wait won't be long

Retirement is something we all seek, but exactly what is it and why do we want it so badly?

Perhaps it gives us a destination, a goal to reach. Perhaps it means happiness or relaxation to others. Or perhaps like the proverbial gold watch, it means we can lie back in a beach chair and stare at the watch and observe the time go by under cloudless skies.

As with most visions, the reality seldom turns out the way we thought it would.  My son, Steve, and I were sitting in his birthday boat celebrating his 35th birthday. Gushing with enthusiasm, Steve said, “I wish I was retired like you, so I could do this every day.”

I smiled at him and replied, “Just another 30 years my boy, and you will be.”

As the words sunk in you could see he considered that an impossible length of time ahead of him. Many people view retirement years as ones where they can endlessly pursue their favorite pastime. But who can spend day after day fishing or playing golf or shopping — year after year?

In reality, most of us enjoy and covet these activities because they are a diversion in our daily lives; a freedom from the pressures of work. Once we retire and no longer have that daily pressure to perform, they soon lose some luster.

In order to stay healthy and mentally alert, we need to feel like we are contributing something worthwhile to society.

One of the gifts I received this Christmas was the book by evangelist Billy Graham “Nearing Home.” The Rev. Graham gives us his views on this critical stage of life.

One doesn’t have to be religious to pray, but retirement is a time to reflect on where we are and where we need to be.

One of the concerns about retirement is: Will I have enough money to continue without a steady paycheck? Well, if you are thinking about continuing with the same lifestyle you have when you are working, probably not.

However, a strange thing happens when you reach retirement age. All of those things you acquired during the years of employment don’t mean as much as they once did.

For one thing, you just don’t have the energy or the urge to get out there and do the things you used to consider fun. The vacation house, the boat in the slip or whatever gets used less often and soon we are questioning: Is it worth the cost?

I always considered Social Security to be one of the best retirement options available. There have been few retirement plans where the employer matches your contributions dollar for dollar. However, it was always meant to supplement retirement expenses.
 
Just because you do not work for someone else does not mean you can stop working. Regardless of how much money you have saved for retirement, now is the time to use the skills you have learned over the years.

Now is the time that you get to decide for yourself what you want to do and how much you want to work.

There is a passage in the Bible that notes that the Apostle Paul, in an advanced age, worked as a tentmaker.

Retirement can be the most rewarding period of your life. When I look back on my life, one of the most rewarding times was not making money but rather volunteering, primarily with the Boy Scouts. Now that niche is being filled by being a mentor at Washington Elementary School in Sedalia.

So what are the keys to successful retirement? Planning: It’s never too late to start. Stay active: Get involved, volunteer and use your skills. Be positive: God has given you this time — listen to your inner voice — make the best of it. And always remember: Without application, no learning has happened.