This week: Retirement - Now What? Edited by: Sophurky  
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Hi, I'm Sophurky ~ your editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter.
The Rev. Scotty McLennan, author of the book Finding Your Religion, compares humanity's innate need for spiritual searching to climbing a mountaain. In his view, we are all endeavoring to climb the same figurative mountain in our search for the divine, we just may take different ways to get there. In other words, there is one "God," but many paths. I honor whatever path or paths you have chosen to climb that mountain in your quest for the Sacred. 
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Retirement - Now What?
December 31, 2020 was my 34th wedding anniversary. It was also my last day of work. After 31 years of working, I turned in my keys, deposited my last pay check, and said hello to 2021 with more time on my hands than I know what to do with! 
I was one of the fortunate people who was able to obtain an excellent education and pursue the career path of my choice - I was blessed to be able to "follow my calling" which is not something everyone experiences. For 31 years I had the privilege of being able to help people and share their lives with them, the last 23 years in the same position. It was gratifying work, and I accomplished much during that time both in terms of professional and personal/spiritual growth. I was a young adult when I started, and so my work became a large aspect of my identity - so much so that now that I'm retired, I'm trying to figure out who I am now, without that part of my life.
Don't get me wrong - I am very happy to be retired. While I loved my work, it was time to step away and take care of myself, body and soul. Mr. Sophy (who retired on the same day) and I are looking forward to this next chapter of our lives. But there was not the opportunity for the kind of closure I had hoped for. Due to COVID-19 there was no in-person goodbye or celebratory retirement party, nor the one month trip to a beach house we planned to take this month. And we've been working from home for the most part since March of last year, so our first day of retirement really didn't feel much different from the day before - other than that we don't have much of anything on our calendars. So that may also contribute to how I've been feeling the past few days - which is a little lost.
I know retirement was the right decision at the right time - no regrets there. But when your identity has been defined in large part by what you do for over 30 years, it's a bit of a shock to wake up one morning to find that what I did, what I was known for, is no longer part of my daily reality - it's no longer who I am. While the legacy of what I left behind still stands, the future "me" - my next chapter - is going to be different, and I've realized that I need to give myself the space to grieve the loss of who I was before I can embrace who I will be next.
So that is what my project these first few months of the new year will be - a journey of self discovery which will be exciting and daunting at the same time. While at my core I am and will be the same person I've always been, this will be a time of recalibrating of identity - and I look forward to discovering what the next chapter of my life will look like, and expanding my sense of self and identity.
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Below you'll find some spiritual offerings from other WDC members. Please let the folks know if you read their piece by leaving a thoughtful comment or review. I realize I post mostly poems, but that is because it is tough to find other types of spiritual writing on the site. If you have something you would like me to highlight, please do share it with me, thanks!
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Here is a response to my last newsletter "Spiritual Newsletter (December 9, 2020)" Reframing Our Holiday Spirit:
From WakeUpAndLive~doingNaNo'24  :
Thanks for the NL. It was enlightening. I think you have an important point there: reframing our expectations. Covid-19 is a given, and we must all adjust accordingly. I think a lot of people have difficulties with that. I hope everybody will take their responsibility for taking care of their own health and that of others. Solidarity is key!
Well said, thank you!
   
Until next time, Happy New Year! Sophurky |
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Spiritual: January 06, 2021 Issue [#10550]
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