| Retirement: a new day is dawning. The old vision of | | | | they are now, is important life work for successfully |
| gold watches and rocking chairs is a thing of the past. | | | | answering the question "What do I want to do with |
| The term that was associated with "being put out to | | | | the rest of my life?" |
| pasture" is now having new life breathed into it, | | | | Usually, the first 6 months of retirement are great, |
| thanks to the baby boomers. | | | | like a honeymoon or an extended vacation. |
| Did you know every 7.5 seconds someone turns 55 | | | | Somewhere along the way, however, the realization |
| years old, or that 10,000 people retire every day? | | | | that you can't golf, fish or relax all the time hits, and |
| Would you have ever guessed that the average age | | | | a degree of disenchantment can set in. This is where |
| of 1st retirement in the United States is 57.5 years; | | | | the question "What's next?" is often asked. |
| not 62 or 65? | | | | Personal responsibility for choices is important in |
| The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that in the 10 | | | | assure our overall happiness. Where do we begin |
| year period between 2000-2010, the population of | | | | when we have devoted our lives to following |
| men aged 55-64 will increase by 47.2%; for women | | | | someone else's schedule, be that our employer or |
| the increase will be 46.6%. In addition to these | | | | even our children? If we think about it, it may have |
| figures, in the last nine decades, longevity has | | | | been many years since we have taken the time to |
| increased 30 years, so retirees could potentially be | | | | listen to our inner voice and hear the wisdom it is |
| spending more time in retirement than in any other | | | | offering us. Who has time in the midst of career |
| phase of life. | | | | demands and putting others first to spend time with |
| The old ideas of retirement no longer hold true. | | | | themselves? Retirement gives us that time to get |
| People are retiring earlier, presumably to have time to | | | | reacquainted with who we are; to ask ourselves |
| enjoy more out of life. As a group, they are entering | | | | important questions, to think with clarity. |
| retirement with physically healthier bodies than their | | | | It is a useful tool to view our lives as invested in six |
| parents had and have good reason to expect to live | | | | areas: career, family, relationships, self, spirit and |
| years longer, with more vibrancy and fullness. Also, | | | | leisure. Each is an intricately woven fiber in the fabric |
| watching old patterns of retirement has spurred the | | | | of our being. We are the sum total of the balance |
| current generation on to get more bang for their | | | | we maintain in these life arenas. Spending time looking |
| buck. They have worked hard all their lives and now | | | | at each area individually helps us evaluate our |
| are seeking reward for their efforts - rewards of | | | | strengths and weaknesses. This gives us a sound |
| time and enjoyment of anticipated pleasures that up | | | | starting place to begin asking ourselves powerful |
| until now, were out of their reach. | | | | questions. We can begin to think about possibilities |
| Today retirees are more adventurous and mobile. | | | | for change, including our hopes and dreams, which |
| Because many are financially solid, they look forward | | | | allow us to move forward with goals that lead to self |
| to traveling and living their dreams. The boomers, in | | | | empowerment and direction. This is the key for a |
| general, have an expanded education base and value | | | | healthy retirement; for once gained, new horizons |
| learning on all levels. They want to use acquired life | | | | open before us and anything is possible. |
| skills to continue playing an active role in their | | | | Do you dare to dream? |
| communities. Having time to think, to reassess who | | | | |