Recently a colleague confided that she was looking forward to many aspects of retirement but was dreading the sendoff — the ‘event’ where she would be recognized and feted. This sentiment was echoed in speaking with another friend who told me that he had been adamant about not wanting any dinner or reception or other […]
Author: Jeanette Lewis
Gateways to Growth
In a recent yoga class, the focus was on the gate pose known in Sanskrit as Parighasana which is a deep side bend usually performed with one knee on the floor, the opposite leg outstretched and the torso bent toward the outstretched leg. As we were practicing the pose the yoga teacher spoke about this […]
Retirement Reflections
A few days ago I had the privilege of attending a ‘retirement reflections’ seminar that was presented by five former colleagues and their spouses. They were presenting to about a dozen people who were working in similar leadership roles in child protection agencies and who were in the happy position of contemplating retirement within the […]
Those gloomy days
This is a day when I am fighting the heaviness of an overall gloomy feeling — not because anything particularly ‘bad ‘ has happened but because the day has passed without any strong sense of accomplishment. For someone who has been psychologically programmed to expect daily accomplishments through constant reinforcements that come from career achievements, […]
Learning to Play
Many years ago I attended a community seminar called “Women at Play”. Hundreds of women of all ages gathered together in a high school auditorium on a Saturday morning ready to spend a few wonderful hours forgetting family obligations, and other commitments. As people gathered over great coffee, fruit and breakfast treats, invigorating music pumped […]
Discovering inner resources
Discovery of inner resources for the integration of mind and spirit through the exploration of public places
The new ‘uniform’
One of the blessings of leaving the office behind is that my ‘uniform’ can change. Instead of smartly-accessorized business suits, panty hose that are sheer yet sturdy enough to get through long days, and the standard navy or black pumps (sling backs permitted but hold the exposed toes) I look forward to a new type […]
What will I do 'after' work?
Oh my goodness — there are only three months left until I stop going to the office every day. My ‘to do’ list has been prepared and I am working on completion of projects for which I have responsibility. I am also starting to prepare transfer notes for my successor once that person is named by […]
Decision Time
Let’s assume that you are in the wonderful place where the decision to retire is yours and yours alone. This decision is often taken for us — by employers forcing downsizing or lay-offs, by poor health, by working in an age-restricted industry. Sometimes a spouse or partner is creating pressure to retire — especially if […]
