Retiring from the workplace can bring mixed feelings, among them fear ("Will people remember me?" "Will I have enough money?" "What will I do with my time?") and eagerness ("I can't wait to not have to set the alarm every morning!" "Finally! I'll have time to do what I want to do!").
But when the reality of the alarm-less, goal-less days finally hits, many people can feel another, more unsettling emotion: restless dissatisfaction.
Is there anything people can do to prepare for a fully satisfying life after the responsibilities of the workplace are gone?
As more people than ever move into retirement, medical professionals and researchers are beginning to study what makes them satisfied, that is, what makes them able to live well long after gainful employment ceases.
Recently, George E. Vaillant, senior psychiatrist at Brigham and Women's Hospital, and co-authors from Harvard Medical School presented the results of their survey of 265 men from inner-city Boston (The American Journal of Psychiatry, April 2006). The study surveyed the men on various stages in their lives and focused on what impacted their perceived quality of life at those times. The men are now past 80 and retired at a mean age of 62 years.
When the men were young, their lower socio-economic status and poor health were major influences on their quality of life. But as they moved into retirement, these influences changed. The two most important factors to enjoying "satisfying retirements" went from money and health to "a good marriage and an ability to play."
Elaborating on what they meant, the men cited "their ability to enjoy their children and to participate in hobbies and community activities."
Dr. Vaillant's study showed, interestingly, that the retirement years of men who continued their usual employment past the normal age of retirement "did not result in happiness."
Often "play" is considered the exclusive realm of children. There is much to be said for encouraging children to develop their social, creative and coordination skills through playing games, organized or not. Parents and teachers may also use play to teach early lessons of faith through school pageants, songs and games.
We might do well to revisit our attitudes toward the role that play can take in our lives, whether we're still working or not. As aging adults, we strive to maintain physical range of motion and metal acuity. Playing sports or working puzzles can help maintain those functions. The older we get, the more we want to keep in touch with people who are dear to us, even if it is difficult to do so.
Inviting others into our lives and nurturing the relationships we have now can give wonderful comfort and support in the future. Don't approach the retirement years with fear or remorse. Employ a sense of play and humor. Exercise creative problem-solving talents. These can help you find resolution to problems in new and wonderful ways.
In Luke 18:15-17, Jesus draws children to him and encourages all to adopt their kind of faith to reach the kingdom of God. This resonates so profoundly in Scripture and can in our lives too if we accept Christ with childlike openness. Then we open ourselves to all that the Lord can do with us and for us. We can be, as children, in the world but not of it. We can praise God, pray --- and play!
Could it be that the older we get, the more benefit we can reap from a strong sense of play --- in life and in faith? Author Maureen Pratt lives in Los Angeles.
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