Retirement, part 2 : What do we need and want? Who needs us?
In Part 1: Retirement. What actually happens when we retire?, I contemplated the fact that so many people aren’t really prepared for retirement. I wrote about how many people do not plan the more fulfilling aspects of retirement such as where they will get their mental challenges and their social life, and commented that retirement is often a time to re-evaluate one’s identity and at times, our intimate relationships. In Part 2, I hope to point you toward some helpful avenues to finding what’s fulfilling to you. For years, our work has provided us with a structure to our days, [...]
Retirement, part 1 : What actually happens when we retire?
People think many things about retirement, their own and others’. What does the word “retirement” mean? Commonly, we understand it as withdrawing from or ceasing to work, withdrawing from the productive structured life that has held us up – and held us back. Withdrawing from the life we’ve found ourselves in, usually for decades, by choice or accident (or a bit of both). It begs the question then, withdraw to what? Many people eagerly look forward to leaving the stresses and constraints of their job behind. They’ve carefully planned for financial stability to continue to lead the life to which [...]
Accommodation, Part 2
In my previous blog, I wrote about the importance of accommodation to any relationship, but that there are risks to being too accommodating. I also underlined that the reciprocity of accommodation is crucial. In Part 2, I offer advice about the importance of objecting and how to state that objection without blaming and in an effective way. The importance of objecting It is helpful to state an objection when one feels they are being too accommodating. The importance of objecting is to share your thoughts and feelings with the other person, and perhaps, to take it farther and set limits [...]
Accommodation, Part 1
In my writing group recently, I mentioned that I wanted to write about accommodation. One of our members asked what I meant, so I figured it would be a good idea to define the term I am using. According to Merriam Webster, accommodation is “the act of accommodating someone or something; the state of being accommodated; adaptation, adjustment,” which includes a sense of negotiation or compromise. It is often related to being considerate and/or agreeable, perhaps fed by generosity or fear of being rejected (or both). There is a fine line between accommodating to be agreeable and being a container [...]
Emerging from confinement
But getting back to the release from confinement: how do we take these first steps? For some, it’s simply a matter of dropping these newly acquired habits (but don’t dump that mask just yet and don’t ever give up washing your hands, although that hand-sanitizer smells awful!). For others, it is relearning even the smallest things.
Love is Like a Sourdough Starter
Maybe Love is like sourdough starter: it grows on its own, but if you don’t feed it, and keep using it, it will run out. The love of hearts and chocolates is just one type. This Valentine’s Day, think of ALL the love you have.
Living in the Paradox of the Unknown
We are living through something surreal, parallel worlds: one in which nothing is happening, most of it via the ethernet. One in which there is real news, skewed news and utterly fake news. The only way out is through. My humanity is seeking touch, intimacy, security. How is your humanity weathering this storm?
Are you a People-Pleaser or a Nurturer?
Neither being a people-pleaser in a relationship - consistently countering one’s own preferences to the benefit of others - nor being with a people-pleaser are situations well-suited to developing deep and lasting relationships.
Happiness’ Shy Soul
This is a poem I wrote a few years ago about the importance of allowing oneself to be happy and content. Sometimes we need a reminder that it’s ok to stop and appreciate what’s good in our lives.
Forgiveness, Part 2
Forgiveness of oneself or of others, alleviates an enormous burden allowing us the energy good things.
Is Your (Emotional) House in Order?
After a family member who lived every day as if it were her last passes away, I ask whether we can all say the same thing. Do we tell our loved ones how we feel enough?
Preparing for Old Age : The Big Questions
Your post-retirement life can now be a long period of time, yet aside from financial planning, few people really think about how they want to be in these important years of their life. It’s worth it to ponder this sooner rather than later.
Not My Circus, Not My Monkey
If we could stop taking on other people’s responsibilities and focus more closely on our own, we might find ourselves with more energy, patience and time for the important things.
Forgiveness
Whereas we may fret over courses like calculus that most of us will never need, a course in forgiveness would be of much better service in life.