Generations Magazine asked me to share my thoughts about the first six months of my retirement. My feelings have definitely been surreal. I can expend all the time and energy I want to on hobbies and interests I rarely had time for over the past 42 years; more importantly I have time to spend with my grandson, family and friends. If there’s a downside to retirement, it’s the loss of contact with so many great people I encountered along life’s journey. It’s a good feeling when people call or write — they still have you in their thoughts. Keeping in contact with old friends creates a lot of comfort. I know I am very fortunate, having witnessed firsthand over my career, the plight of many of our island’s kupuna, who struggle just to survive.
In retrospect, I think I did a fairly good job preparing for retirement. But now that I am here, I must make adjustments. With so many choices, I have to prioritize what I want to accomplish, set goals and objectives and develop action steps and time frames to get things done. But I thought retirement means getting a break from my work! I want to say, “Hey, the planner retired!”
As I write, I realize that I still get to use my talents no matter what stage in life I am in, and a little bit of planning doesn’t hurt! Like it or not, planning is a part of life and the better planning results in better the outcomes! As I get my retirement goals down on paper, retirement gets even more enjoyable — maybe even less stressful…
Did I say stress? Yes, at times “enjoying myself” stressed me out. I set my pace as if I were at the office — trying to get things done immediately. Now I make a “habit” of relaxing. I have to keep reminding myself, “Why are you rushing? You don’t have to finish that today!”
So yes, retirement is great — an unbelievable blessing — now that I balance “going with the flow” with defined goals and objectives. I’m still in control — but my journey is more enjoyable.
Staying active is very important. Make exercise a priority and know your limits! Stretching is really important — muscles are resilient and react fairly well to exercise if you don’t overdo. However, your tendons aren’t as forgiving in old age. I tried to play softball without stretching. You know the old saying: “Your mind says, ‘I can,’ but your hamstring says, ‘Oh, no!’” If you want your body to go along, train for the sport you want to play.
Some great advice I got from a good friend: “Don’t start hiring someone to do the yard and other kinds of physical work. It’s good for the body. When you start sweating, just tell yourself it’s ‘therapy.’” I sing with a two-
Generations Magazine asked me to share my thoughts about the first six months of my retirement. My feelings have definitely been surreal. I can expend all the time and energy I want to on hobbies and interests I rarely had time for over the past 42 years; more importantly I have time to spend with my grandson, family and friends. If there’s a downside to retirement, it’s the loss of contact with so many great people I encountered along life’s journey. It’s a good feeling when people call or write — they still have you in their thoughts. Keeping in contact with old friends creates a lot of comfort. I know I am very fortunate, having witnessed firsthand over my career, the plight of many of our island’s kupuna, who struggle just to survive.
In midlife, documenting the lives of our ancestors and our own memories suddenly becomes important. Even if our kids aren’t interested — we know someday they will be.
Author Burns said, “I realized that it is time to pass on those lessons from his life to the next generation.” For Burns, an educator and principal of ‘Aina Haina Elementary School, the lessons are about leadership and consensus building, wrapped in detailed and well-
It is said that many people want to write a book, but few do. Keiko Higa did it, and rich memories about growing up in Hawai‘i will inspire you to get started on your own story — even if it’s only for your grandchildren.
of local places and times past, are Higa’s heartfelt concerns — social injustice of the Japanese internment era, low plantation wages and tracking by race when she was in school. Higa was educated at UH Manoa, Claremont School of Theology and UC Berkley, and was a city planner for the City of Las Vegas. Her stories are at once ethereal and mundane. She mixes the salt of her ideas on global oppression and colonization with the pepper of pidgin poetry, ethnic traditions and church potlucks. It is local, candid and engaging. Even if you do not agree with her views, you will understand exactly how she came to them — and respect her courage to put words into action, and follow her deep passion for justice and peace.
Join the Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) this summer to do all of those things by signing up for our 2015 Summer Reading Programs. It’s not only for kids, we have a reading program for everyone including Adults (18 years and older), Teens (middle through high school) as well as Children (pre-Kindergarten through 6th Grade). Simply visit your local public library and register beginning May 31. By popular demand, this summer our reading programs will all run for seven weeks beginning May 3 –July 18.
This summer of library fun is provided free of charge, courtesy of the Friends of the Library of Hawaii and other generous community partners who support and encourage reading and learning at our Hawaii public libraries on O‘ahu and all neighbor islands.