Whether you’re envisioning relaxing in retirement or living it right now, it occurs to me that one doesn’t beget the other necessarily , and maybe it shouldn’t.
I am sitting in a chair at the shore of the ocean , watching the sun come up, dolphins playing in the water, listening to the waves and watching a C-17 large military transport carrier dip its wing to the shore after taking off , to say one last goodbye to family , friends and the United States , as it carries it’s precious cargo of soldiers and equipment into battle overseas.
I am not taking this all in because I am retired , although I recently changed the nature of my work schedule , I’m taking it in and relaxing because that is what relaxing is for me - a series of moments, awareness , the throttling up or down of our senses, a zen like state induced by pure distraction, adrenaline , exercise , changed breathing and a perspective and focus you didn’t necessarily have earlier.
In fact, I would say retirement is not pure relaxation. A fulfilling advancement through life stages is your own balancing act , enjoying a little bit of a contrast. A weighing of play or pay, labor or leisure, contribution or convalescence .
The great news is it’s up to you and you can find your happy place when you take time to recognize, and/or create those moments. They are happening all around us every day.
Witnessing and enjoying those moments are a gift, energizing and there for the taking , making our hectic work , family , life schedule that much richer and enjoyable in their own right.
So , no matter your age, crazy chaos or retired, remember to take time to relax. It’s a choice made real by conscious thought and habitual behaviors , to be savored , no matter your age or stage in life.