Introduction

Introduction: Mapping Out a Plan for the Rest of My Life and Enjoying the Journey

My Golden Years are an extension of the life I have lived up to retirement which began on December 1, 2011. I have organized this blog to include the top ten relevant topics shown below in the right side column in General Topics. Just click on one and you will see all that I have written on that topic. Click on the Most Current tab for chronological order of all entries.

I have addressed each topic in no particular order other than what is currently on my mind on the day I am posting. I started each topic by describing where I was when I began this blog and then exploring the possibilities of progression and any goals that I would like to meet. After that, I write about the path to reach that goal as it happens. Sometimes I just write about what is happening now.

I welcome any comments and questions either on this blog or email as I travel these paths and hope to share my growth with interested persons who may find some common elements in their own path to the rest of their life. I hope to use my skills as an appraiser for nearly 30 years to continue to observe different perspectives on a subject and reconcile into a conclusion that is of value to me. Please join me whenever you like. Email notice of new posts is no longer available so just bookmark the address.

The Blog Archive tool is helpful to find posts by year. Of most importance to me is the confidence developed in my intuitive skills over the years and it is that part of my character I am trusting to define value in my life. I believe change can be good and I can be enriched by believing in my true self using my intuition. The analytical part of my life no longer has a financial grip and I can let go of what absolutely made sense at the time in favor of what feels right now. I have done a lot of work since this blog began in 2011 and I hope you will join me as I explore this approach in My Golden Years.


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Sunday, December 4, 2016

5th Retirement Anniversary - Personal and Spiritual Growth

One of the advantages of writing a personal retirement blog is the ability to look back on posts and reflect on the paths I have chosen that led me to where I am now and where I'd like to be in the next five years.  I am happy that I organized this blog in a way that allows me and the reader to see my goals' progress in the top ten categories of relevance to me.  Many of my posts cross into more than one category or "Label."  It is a good time for me  to look back from the first post in each category or "Label" and summarize the highlights to see the level of progress made in my first five years of retirement.  I can more clearly see a path ahead and adjust or make new goals.

I will write ten posts on this 5th Retirement Anniversary addressing each category or "Label." I can also see the stats and which posts have had the most public views.  At this time, my blog had 22,400 views.  That's about 100 views per week in 18 different countries around the world!  It is very rewarding to know that there is interest in what I have to say.  By helping myself I must be helping others with similar interests.  It is an incentive to continue.

Here are my brief summaries of the first five years of retirement and goal adjustments I want to make at this time.  If you want more information on a subject, please scroll down on the right side of the main page and click on the first months in 2011 where you will see where I'm coming from.      
My journey continues....


Personal and Spiritual Growth


Writing this blog helps me put things in perspective especially in setting goals and seeing progress made.  I can see what areas of my life are most important to me by the level of my activity.  When I see areas that have not been active, I challenge myself to bring more variety into my life.  I'm trying to have a balanced, satisfying life in retirement.  

Letting go of the prospect of going back to work has been uplifting!  I decided earlier this year that I would not continue my real estate education to qualify in keeping my General Certification and appraisal license active which ended June 2016.  It was a big decision to let go of what I had worked so hard to get and keep for 30 years!  Instead I am finding satisfaction in many other areas of interest.  
The greatest growth I'm seeing personally and spiritually is the ability to live in the moment in all activities and especially in quiet time.  Self-awareness and spirituality are alive and well!  My intuitiveness is more acute.  I am no longer regretful when I start the day without a plan or a list of things to do which had always been an important part of who I was and what I did.  More and more I find the prospect of "nothing to do" engaging and moves me to make things happen...or not!  Those things that need to be done get done more easily and done well with no pressure.  Having the flexibility to put off whatever I don't feel like doing is refreshing as it still gets done none-the-less.  I have no guilt when I do nothing.  Napping in the middle of the afternoon is good sometimes.  Enjoying my swing and hammock on a beautiful day is relaxing.  Yoga is more meaningful and is stretched out to include more prayers.  My sleep is restful and my dreams are vivid.  Everything I do is done in its natural time.  If I have to make adjustments for other people's time, I can do it more easily and willingly.

I have more time to take care of myself which makes me a better person with more to give.  I value my time more than I did when I was working because it is all mine!  When I give my time to others, I give them my best because I want too, not because I have too or am paid too.

I would like to expand my spiritual growth and have been considering a more active role in my local Catholic Church.  The new Pope Francis has some wonderful qualities that draws me in and calls me to service.  I am slowly moving in that direction.  I want my spirituality to grow.


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