GET HAPPY NOW
By Arnette Travis, Author/Activist/Advocate, RLACEI Contributing Author
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fter spending years of work looking forward to and preparing for retirement, is your life in retirement worth the wait? Are you living a life of meaning? (Does your daily life reflect your purpose?)
Two aspects of retirement that are particularly positive are:
- You retired from work, not from life, which means –
- You can stop living at work and start working at living.
Let that sink in as you fill in the blanks to these statements:
I’ve always wanted to…
Now I have time to…
Since you are no longer trading time for money, finding your purpose in life is essential to any sincere consideration of how to spend the rest of your life.
The interest and emphasis on finding and living your purpose is not overdone, but it can be daunting. Take into consideration that more than 1.5 billion Google results can give you insight and guidance on the subject. But who has the time to climb that mountain?
Let’s start with the fact that what these results lead to is different words and ways that support the higher value and quality of life that knowing your purpose delivers. We get that part. But what if discovering your purpose is as easy as 1-2-3?
The Purpose Path (broken down in the interest of time and relevance.)
Reflection: Identify the source(s) of joy and passion in your life. Go back to your earliest childhood memories to find the common thread that has run throughout your life. The thread may show up in different ways at different points in your life, but it will be a version of the same thing.
Intention: Be present! Slow down and stop thinking about the “next thing.” When we are present, time takes on a new meaning. When we hurry, it indicates a lack of control and incites stress. Slowing down makes you more mindful of your decisions and puts you in control. This makes you more likely to do the things that you want to do, not what others want or expect you to do. People who give up what they love to do and do well lose their purpose in life.
Action: Practice your purpose daily in whatever form is appropriate and available. The Japanese principle of ikigai (purpose) holds that your passion and talent give meaning to each day by sharing the best of yourself with the world.
If you haven’t already begun your purpose journey, the upcoming holiday season is a suitable time to start.
Giving Thanks
Express gratitude for all the blessings you have – big and small. Next, as you make your gift list, consider giving gifts of your time. Whether it’s taking a grandchild to the zoo, treating your significant other to a concert, or serving food to people who experience food insecurity, these are memory making gifts that will bring joy to your heart for years to come.
— Arnette Travis
