I try to explain to people ready to retire or recently retired that many employed people are amazed to find that in retirement, without a schedule or regular responsibility, they are busier than they have were while employed full time. I admit it is surprising, too. I figure that one way of looking at it is that a regular job kept people housed, committed, focused. In retirement, they may stay open to all sorts of activities. With more open time, it feels as though they can say "Yes" to whatever is attractive. Having spent years at work, they didn't have time to read, to travel, to de-junk their house, etc., etc.
It is easy to get a calendar that is overflowing. You think you have lots of time. Everybody and his brother thinks you have lots of time. In retirement, you are older, more experienced, more mature. You have talents and good judgment. Hey, how about being president of the local gardeners? Hey, how about being on the board of the Friends of the Library? Did you know that St. Xavier's is 200 years old this year? Surely, you want to be part of the planning for that!
We are not too overwhelmed with commitments. We have tended to only say Yes to a few things. So, an open day, with nothing on the calendar looked terrific. Sun shining, beautiful day and reasonably warm. Great day for a walk. Well, how about looking at a few pages of this catalog before we walk? We need to agree and I need to get this stuff ordered in time for Christmas. A phone call from neighbors and we have a larger walking party. Well, that was a nice walk but look at the time. My luncheon group meets in a few minutes. I have to turn on my machine to see where they are meeting. Oh, the soup is ready to be put outside to cool.
An open day, huh? Wide and clear, huh? Well, there are some emails I need to send. And there are some books I said I'd get. The mail includes some bills to pay. I want to get that shopping list at the store. Let's hurry through a meditation of deep calm. It's getting late.
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