Retirement and Happiness

           I recently received an email regarding my blog activity and personal retirement goals. The message says:

“ It would be better if you include your passion on your retirement activities. It is what gives you more energy. When you love what you do and you do it without pushing yourself, you embrace life more and enjoy it to the fullest. 

         It prompted me return to the process of leisure self-examination expressed in a recent blog entry

         Travel is the second most common leisure activity reported by many retirees.  Retirement can provide us with an opportunity for personal growth through leisure activity that is much wider than fishing or playing golf.

         In fact I see walking travel as a form of leisure and I’m walking more than I have for a long time.” In fact yesterday I purchased a pocket pedometer so that I can keep in touch with the distance and amount of time I spend walking.

         I also take along an ipod, given to me recently at my Psychology Dept retirement party. As I walk I hear songs from Glee, my favorite television program. I always get a big smile and sometimes tears of joy come to my eyes.

  If it rains in the next few days, which is highly likely, I will probably sing as I walk.[i]

I'm singin’ in the rain
Just singin’ in the rain
What a glorious feeling'
I'm happy again
I'm laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart
And I'm ready for love
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place
Come on with the rain
I've a smile on my face
I walk down the lane
With a happy refrain
Just singin',
Singin' in the rain

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[i] Singin' in the Rain is a 1952 American comedy musical film starring Kelly, Donald and Debbie Reynolds and directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen.

[1] Dorfman, L.T. & Kolarik D.C. (2005). Leisure and retired professor occupation   matters, Educational Gerontology 31 (5), 343-361