Retirement provides a new perspective

It’s a strange feeling. One day much of your world centers on your job, and the next day that focus is gone. One day you are spending one-third of your weekday waking hours with a group of people, and the next you walk away and will never see some of them again.

One day you live with stress that is sometimes overwhelming, and the next you notice that the sun is shining, and you realize that you still know how to smile.

Work shouldn’t be negative, but too often it is. And too often it is because we and the people we work for and with make it that way.

It’s mostly because of the way we treat each other. If only there were more respect for others. If only we could show our appreciation more frequently. If only we could spend more of our energy working together than we do working against each other. In those ways, work isn’t unlike families, friendships, sports teams and everything else in our lives. It all comes down to how we treat people.

Sometimes the solution is setting a good example and hoping that even a few people see it and follow it. Each of us can play a part in improving the atmosphere in the workplace, but the real solution starts at the top. If those in charge don’t respect, appreciate and trust their employees, things will never be good. Being positive is not just a phrase – it has to be a way of life, beyond using words such as teamwork.

Admittedly, it can be very challenging. At times it may seem almost impossible. It’s difficult to stay positive if you spend too much time in a negative environment.

Looking back – and now from out of the working world – it’s easier to see how I and many others could do more to make work a more positive experience for others than we do when we are so focused on just getting the work done. I have a clearer picture now and can offer that perspective to others who still can make a difference.

Tell employees and co-workers that you appreciate and value them.

Treat everyone in the workplace with the respect you desire.

Learn to listen instead of talking all of the time.

Make others feel they are part of the process and not just a mindless cog. Accept, acknowledge and take seriously thoughts and ideas that are different than your own.

Communicate.

Care about others, especially when there are difficult circumstances in their lives.

The best managers, I believe, are those who raise up themselves by raising up those around them.

Of course, there may be some circumstances that can’t be fixed. In some cases, the solution may be to let go of the things that overburden us and move on.

Michael Card, a contemporary Christian music singer, wrote a song about what is important in life. It’s called “Things we leave behind” and tells the story of the disciples who were called by Jesus to share in his ministry. Some of them had very important jobs at that time – fishing – but when Jesus approached them, they dropped their nets, let their boats drift away and followed him:

“When we say ‘no’ to the things of the world we open our hearts to the love of the Lord, and it’s hard to imagine the freedom we find from the things we leave behind.”

(Link to “Things we leave behind”:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzlZ4QXMMBw)

That freedom may come in a new challenge, a new circumstance or a new environment. Perhaps a new perspective. For many of us, that may not come until retirement.

I loved most parts of my job, and I was fortunate that part of my job evolved into sharing positive messages through my writing. That’s the part I want to carry forward into my next assignment.

I used to think that when I reached retirement age it would mean my life is nearing an end. I’ve since discovered that there is so much of life to experience and enjoy in retirement. There may be less time ahead, but there is more quality time. I no longer have to be distracted by the politics and games that can be so much part of workplaces. Those issues consumed way too much of my working and non-working time. So, in essence I have more time now. More time to live. More time to serve. More time to share.

Retirement is a strange feeling. I’ve learned quickly that it’s also a very good one.