It is hard to believe that it has been three years since I retired from fulltime employment after 40+ years in public service! I have had a monthly gig for the past 2 years as the moderator for the Hot Topics in Practice webinars sponsored by the University of Washington Northwest Center for Public Health Practice, but for all intents and purposes I am mostly living a retired lifestyle.
There are many positives about being retired, including spending relaxing days with my husband, meeting up with friends, doing a little travel, etc.
But there are 3 simple daily gifts worth calling out:
- No alarm clocks
I spent so many years waking up to an alarm clock and I hated it every single morning. I still wake up early most days, but it is on my schedule. The only time I use an alarm clock these days is if I have to catch an early flight, a rare event.
2. Reading time
I have always loved to read. But during my working years, reading took a back seat to my to do list. Even if I sat down with a book, I had a hard time concentrating. There was just too much else running through my mind at any given moment. I saved my reading marathons for vacations. Now I can read to my heart’s content most days, what a gift!
3. No more rushing
I hate to rush! I spent so many years rushing from home to work, from meeting to meeting, and back home again. Weekends were spent trying to fit in errands. Multi-tasking was the rule. I never felt like I could just take a pause and do one thing at a time. I still get resentful if I feel the need to rush these now. It is usually because I have an appointment in Seattle and need to allow for the commute to make it on time. I make a point of rushing as little as possible these days!
Rushing reminds me of the 1992 Alabama song:
I’m in a hurry to get things done
Alabama
Oh I rush and rush until life’s no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I’m in a hurry and don’t know why
On that ‘note’, I will see you on Friday.
Allene
Travels with Allene 