graduation and retirement

This is a transition time of the year. Graduations, in particular high school and college, are taking center stage. When graduates leave their respective schools they move to a new venture. College or employment for the high school grad, and graduate school or employment for the college grad. Always moving toward something.

When does it stop? I suppose you could say that for some the move ahead ends at retirement. It’s interesting that we don’t have a uniform time of the year for this to occur. The unbelievable amount of benefit given to society by those who labor over many years and when it comes time to retire, it’s almost like it happens with stealth in the middle of the night.

What is retirement nowadays anyway? So many folks continue to work as consultants or take on other part time work. Others become more involved in volunteer work of various sorts. With the improvements in healthcare and lifestyle adjustments, people are living longer, as well. If you retire at 65, you literally could have a third of your life ahead of you. Living in your 90’s is not as rare as one might think and it will not be uncommon in the future.

Perhaps retirement is becoming like another graduation. Moving to a new venture. What can a person do with meaning and purpose in the “third period” of their life? More tomorrow.