LSO Award

Business NotesI just arrived home from an evening at the King Ferry Hotel, visiting with my friend Nancy Shaw.  We chatted the evening away, connecting on so many levels.  And the most striking part of our conversation all night came just before my partner Michael alerted me to “be prepared to exit the vehicle,” which is what he usually says when he’s dropping me of somewhere, usually about 10 minutes late.  (He tries so hard to be a good timekeeper, and I make his job really miserable at times.  I’ve accepted that fact that I’ve been born with a defective clock and compass implanted in my brain…)

At any rate, just prior to being given a ten minute warning, Nancy and I were discussing the joys of living simply.  ( Who would ever want to cut this discussion short?!)   She recalled that a while ago I told her that Michael and I decided to give his grandkids experiences for gifts – we realized that we couldn’t give them any things that would make lasting impressions, but we could give them memorable experiences.

Nancy and her husband John have full-time jobs, and spend whatever other time they have working as organic farmers.  That’s their passion, and the energy of their joy in working in the earth is palpable.  Nancy mentioned that she and John also give their grandchildren experiences – of the simple life.  As with ours, when Nancy and John’s grandchildren visit, they are required to leave behind the cell phones, DS’s (or donkeystarters, as Michael fondly calls them), headphones, and televisions.  And we find they love the simple life.

I mentioned to Nancy that Michael’s grandkids love to hang out, go fishing, read books all day, lounging on the couch, and search for fossils, collecting lots of interesting rocks from the lake.  The reprieve from their hectic, scheduled lives is no different than what we dream of in taking a Caribbean cruise or golfing in Florida.

Rest.  Relaxation. Time.  Time to be. Time to reflect . Time to connect with the people we love.  Time to play cards, scrabble, or Charades – not with the express purpose of keeping our brains functioning optimally and to ward off Alzheimer’s, but purely to enjoy simple pleasures.  Time together. Time alone.  Time that slows down when we dismiss our agendas.

So what is the meaning of work, if not to provide the sustenance and then the means to have time without needing to work?   Is that the function retirement fills?  Having the means to spend time without having to work.?  I suppose retirement functions a meaningful purpose if one has been working for someone else for 30-35 years.  I never imagine retiring, because I have nothing I desire to leave behind.  As a consultant, I do work that I am passionate about.  My worst nightmare, instead of my biggest dream, is to retire.  Yet I can appreciate just why others in my generation are looking forward to having time – time of their own, and time unconstrained by schedules and demands for more.

How are you imagining the next few years?  Are you counting down the days to your retirement?  What kind of life do you want to lead once you retire?  Will you reinvent yourself?  Take on a new career, doing what your are passionate about?   Will you volunteer your time and talents?   What gives your life meaning?  Is it what you do for others?  Is it being a good steward to your family? To others?

I think most people know what they want to do when they retire, or not.  Those who retire wish to leave behind work they have tired of.  Those who choose not to retire can’t imagine leaving behind work they love.  And others are ready to begin a new career, engaging in what captures their imagination. 

We live in a very demanding culture.  Let’s take time to slow down, to lounge on the couch, read, reflect, and live simply.  And to be grateful for each moment.

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