After
retirement some of us, especially if we have had professional careers, may find
ourselves longing for the power and/or prestige related our previous
employment. In short, we need to
be noticed. For me as a former university professor, it was a question of
prestige more than power. Standing
in front of the class lecturing or facilitating discussion groups is both
challenging and exciting. And,
having someone I meet on the street say “Hi professor Anderson” is very
pleasing.
The
question is will my former successes get in the way of my retirement
adjustment. Will I be able to let go of my previous expectations? It is now a year since I retired and I
have recently signed on as a substitute instructor at Kwantlen. Since last
September I’ve been called a couple of times to substitute for someone who
couldn’t make it. It was really interesting to be a guest speaker in the
classroom and only having to teach one class
The
creation and presentation of my blog and workshops have been a way of adjusting
to a new life. I will still be on centre stage as I facilitate the workshops
and I have had visitors to my blog from all over the world. These new experiences will help me to
reflect on my life and perhaps develop some wisdom about my life process. Even now I reflect on the life I have
left, what skills I will be able to bring to the community and appropriate
goals till the end.
I
developed my first university goals during my last year of high school when I
decided to go to university and continue playing football. After achieving my undergraduate degree
I went on to get my Masters and Ph.d degrees. Some of my football co-players at
the University Tommy Larscheid and Merlin Olsen expanded their sports goals
from university and became famous as athletic professionals. I followed the
goal of becoming a university professor.
For the last ten years I’ve been on the Board of the local senior’s
centre and now I’ve created this blog. Each of us has a unique story that continues
after we retire. I would like to
hear about some of yours.
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