ReFirement Life

Two guys grow up together. After college one moves to Michigan, the other to Florida. They agree to meet every ten years in Vero Beach and play golf. At Age 30 , they finish their round of golf and go to lunch. “Where you wanna go?" "Hooters.”   “Why?” “Well, you know, they got the gals with the tight shorts, and the great bods' …” “OK.” Ten years later at age 40 they play. “Where you wanna go?” “Hooters. “Why?” “Well, you know, they got cold beer, and the big screen TVs, and the football games.” “OK.” Ten years later at age 50 they play. “Where you wanna go?” “Hooters.” “Why?” “ The food is pretty good and there is plenty of parking.” ”OK.” At age 60 they play. “Where you wanna go?” “Hooters.” “Why?” “Wings are half price.” “OK” At age 70 they play. “Where you wanna go?” “Hooters.” “Why?” “They have 6 handicapped spaces right by the door.” “OK.” At age 80 they play. “Where you wanna go?” “Hooters.” “Why?” “We’ve never

After retiring from the financial planning business, I became very aware of an emptiness inside.  I asked myself:  "If I am what I do, then who am I when I don't?"  I succeeded in retiring   from owning a business, but I was not prepared to " retire to"  something. One of the first challenges of ReFirement is to identify what to "retire to". How do I create purpose and meaning in my life if I have been consumed by my profession for 40+ years?  Answering this question started my self-discovery journey. The "7th Inning Stretch" is a time for me to contemplate and begin again to live the life that is true to my values.  I suggest that you begin your own journey by identifying your core values. One of the values that Paula and I have embraced our entire life is "making a contribution to others."  We facilitated a personal growth workshop called the Aspen Temenos   The work was very fulfilling but physically exhausting.  We stopped