Yesterday I attended a panel discussion moderated by Gabrielle Giffords with three retired panelists. The room was packed with pre and post retirees. The purpose of the program was to launch the resource and planning guide provided by United Way. One of the panelists, Arthur Goldberg, a medical doctor for 40 years, read the definition of retirement: "to withdraw from circulation or from the market; to withdraw from usual use or service." Sounds deadly to me.
Arthur (he doesn't want to be called "Doctor" anymore and just wants to be one of the boys) admitted that he disliked the word "retire" and I'm in total agreement. Arthur prefers the word "phase" and explained how much he's enjoying this phase of his life. That statement alone brightened up the room. Questions from the audience included "I can't seem to stay focused" and "I don't know what to do." Enter United Way's "Transforming Retirement With Extended Life Options." (Each of us received a copy of the 151 page Guide).
The Guide includes topiccs such as Employment Opportunities, Volunteer Opportunities, Lifelong Learning, Having Fun, Housing Options, Transportation Options, Financial Planning, Legal Planning, Health and Wellness, and Spirituality." There are numerous resources for each topic. You can obtain a copy of this Guide by contacting United Way (520.903.9000).
I'm proud to say that I was on the subcommittee that put this Guide together. It took us two years and without the leadership of Fred Ebeling and Karen Lamberton, it never would have come to pass. It's a work of art, in my opinion.
This "phase" of my life is fun and fulfilling. Yours can be too -- honest.
Hey, Mojo: Sorry I had to miss the event! My meeting at PCOA ran too late, and it would have been 4:00 before I got there. I have met Arthur...he is one of the volunteer coaches for Touch Point Connection, or was last year anyway. Sounds like a good session!
ReplyDeleteDavid (Dru)