Personal rituals help us stay on track and increase retirement happiness. One of my favourite books, From Beginning to End — The Rituals of our Lives, by Robert Fulghum explores both public and private rituals that define the patterns of our lives. I have read and re-read sections of the book during different stages of my […]
Happiness in Retirement
Celebrate Canada Day on July 1
July 1 — It’s time to celebrate Canada Day! This is a day for picnics, parades, barbecues, outdoor concerts, and fireworks. It’s a day to fly our red and white maple leaf flag with pride. It’s a day to wear red and white clothing as a show of Canadian pride. Reflect on Canadian citizenship Canada Day […]
Re-entry After a Long Vacation
What are the characteristics of a successful re-entry after a long vacation from regular routines? I’ve just returned from an extended vacation in South Africa. I face the challenge of adjusting to life in Canada with mixed emotions. Coming home makes me happy but I’m overwhelmed with all the tasks that need attention. Because coming home […]
Friendships that really matter
How many of your friendships really matter? There are many kinds of friends and all of us need different types of friends and different types of relationships. Friends help us through life. We socialize with friends, share confidences with them, learn new skills together, and seek/give advice. Types of Friendships Most of us have several […]
Retirement Happiness — Don’t let others get under your skin
Is it easy for others to get under your skin? Do you react when someone makes comments that conflict with your beliefs? Do you respond? Do you ignore the comments? What about infringement on your personal space in a crowd? Do you move aside? What about the traffic challenges when someone forces their car into […]
Surviving a Long Winter
The Canadian winter has been exceptionally long this year — longer and colder than usual. Winter began in our part of Ontario on November 23, 2013 with an early snow storm. Our family gathered at the cottage that weekend for the fall clean-up after the leaves fell from the oak trees. Despite attempting to rake […]
Welcoming my husband home
Later this week it will be time to welcome my husband home. He’s been on his annual junket to Trinidad to visit family and friends during Carnival — something he’s been doing for many years. No matter how often this happens nor whether the trip lasts three, four or five weeks, welcoming him back always […]
Husband Away — Time for solitude
My husband’s away and it’s time for solitude. Postworksavvy readers know that my husband does an annual junket to Trinidad and Tobago to celebrate Carnival and to visit family and friends. I’ve been there, done that. In over 45 years of marriage, I’ve visited his country many times and don’t feel a need to keep returning. […]
Retirement Happiness — 7 Ways to Stay Hopeful
Perhaps there is no life quality that is more important than hope. Since Nelson Mandela’s death the media has focused on the life of this extraordinary leader. Hope was integral for the vision given to his people. Hope played an important role in the South African journey to achieve democracy — hope for a better life […]
How journal writing keeps you focused
For more than 30 years I’ve written quite regularly in a journal. Some entries are lengthy with heartfelt emotional outpourings; others are brief describing only mundane (uneventful) aspects of daily life. I continue to write journal entries on most days. If life gets in the way and I miss doing any entries for a few […]
