Spirituality ... Fulfillment
Rabbi Naomi Levy
Nashuva
Celebrating retirement: turning fear into fulfillment
Whenever we meet someone new, the first question we are inevitably asked is, What do you do? How are we supposed to respond when our years of employment have ended? What do we do? Many of us assume that our work is what brings us respect. Why should anyone care about us after we have lost our position of status? When we stop working, another fear surfaces. We suddenly discover that we don’t know ourselves very well. As children we had interests and passions. But now we are not sure what brings us pleasure. Some of us haven’t spent time away from work in years. Even on vacation we were always working in our minds. We aren’t sure we know how to enjoy anything anymore.
There is no doubt that retirement is a transition that conjures up many fears. But retirement can also lead to untold joy to unexpected freedom, to renewed vigor, and to a deeper and truer sense of self-worth.
A prayer at retirement: embracing a newly found freedom
I am scared God. Who am I without a title? Without a schedule? Without my job?
Teach me, God. Show me who I am. Remind me that I am not my job, nor was I ever so.
Open my eyes to the beauty that surrounds me. Open my heart to the love. Open my arms to family members and friends I was always too busy to embrace. Open my mind to the vast world of knowledge that lies before me. Open my ears to the cries of those who desperately need my assistance.
Fill me with compassion, God. Let me transform these doubts of mine into acts of goodness and charity. Calm my fears, God. Remind me that I am vital, that I am needed, that I matter, that I am loved.
Teach me to embrace this precious freedom I have been granted. For the first time in a long time I can choose to spend my days as I wish, to explore whatever I wish, to travel wherever I wish.
Help me live this time wisely, God. Lead me on the path to meaning, to satisfaction, to joy, to peace. Stay with me, God. Let me know You are near. Amen.