| Is there an ideal retirement? Is there a typical | | | | obligations to your family, obligations to your |
| scene of serenity for senior years? | | | | church etc. Some of these obligations lead to |
| Obviously, there needs to be some financial | | | | stress. Some, combined, can take one to his wit's |
| security. No one is totally serene if he has to | | | | end. Even if fulfilled, they bring no sense of |
| worry about where the next buck is coming | | | | achievement or pleasure - only relief. In |
| from. | | | | retirement, you may still have obligations. But you |
| But what else would make a serene retirement? | | | | have more ability to choose obligations that carry |
| Here's one scenario: no prejudices, no pretenses | | | | less burden. Or, ideally, you have no obligations at |
| and no burdensome obligations. | | | | all that you don't choose to have. |
| First, no prejudices. Some may think of prejudice | | | | Retirement can be freedom for many. |
| as being biased against a certain person or group | | | | IT'S NOT THE MONEY, IT'S WHAT ONE DOES |
| of persons. But prejudice is about being | | | | WITH THE MONEY |
| closed-minded. When one is closed-minded, he | | | | Financial security is, of course, paramount. But |
| won't try new things. He won't taste certain | | | | living is not just about money. It's what one does |
| foods because he doesn't THINK he'll like it. He | | | | with the money. Write your dreams. Plan your |
| won't travel to certain places because he has a | | | | future. Look forward to the day when all your |
| pre-conceived notion about what he might find | | | | prejudices, pretenses and burdensome obligations |
| there. A working person has to set priorities | | | | are gone, and you can focus on your dreams. |
| based on time and money. As a result, he sifts | | | | Have a job you like? Keep it. Or, find one you like |
| and sorts his priorities based on prejudices. But | | | | if you want to keep working. Remember, there's |
| without the limits of time, there is no need to set | | | | a difference between having a job and having to |
| priorities this way. There are certain things you | | | | work. When you have to work, there is more of |
| may do later rather than sooner. But having a | | | | a master-slave relationship. Generally, the |
| goal to release your prejudices when opportunities | | | | employer calls the shots. He owns you. If you |
| arise to see or try new things might make a | | | | have your own business, it can own you, but at |
| more fulfilling retirement. | | | | least it's yours. You deal with this because you |
| No pretenses. In the working world, one has to | | | | need the money. When you no longer need the |
| pretend to like something, even if he doesn't. | | | | money, but want to work for pleasure or |
| Why? Because the boss likes it. There are certain | | | | accomplishment, the arrangement is more a |
| workplace behaviors that are politically correct. | | | | mutual negotiation with the employer. You scratch |
| These are called career protectors. If you tell | | | | his back, he scratches yours. He gives you the |
| your boss that you hate something he's very | | | | freedom you need as long as you give him the |
| passionate about, chances are you will not gain his | | | | work he needs. If you have a job you like, you'll |
| favor. In fact, he may fire or otherwise punish | | | | never have to work a day the rest of your life. |
| you. Pretenses are pretty much required in the | | | | So plan and dream. When you dream, your |
| workplace, but not so in retirement. If you don't | | | | curiosity is aroused and your prejudices |
| like something, you don't have to deal with it, in | | | | suspended. Work and enjoy life. Save with |
| many cases. | | | | abandon, spend with care, but still do what you |
| No burdensome obligations. Throughout our lives, | | | | like. When retirement comes, let's all wish that |
| obligations are put upon us - be they from work | | | | you can live with no prejudices, no pretenses and |
| or home. You have obligations to your job, | | | | no burdensome obligations. |