Looking back over the past few weeks I see it has been a while since my last posting. As I reflect upon this journey called “retirement” I can only wonder if I am living it to the fullest? I suspect, for most of us in this category, we like and desire the freedom of choice that retirment brings but also want some of the structure we were used to in the “work every day” lifestyle. At least, that seems to be the way it is for me.
With retirement. I am finding that there are different choices, different decisions, and different activities and priorities. However, I don’t believe my fundamental character has changed. I still have compassion for my fellow human beings. I still feel compelled to do my best in whatever I do. I always try to strike a win – win situation in striking deals with others. My nature has never been one of taking advantage of another and that has not changed.
I haven’t been blessed with an over abundant supply of financial resources during my lifetime, so I still look for ways to stretch the dollar. As a matter of fact, one of the comments made at my retirement party was that I was often seen as being “tight fisted” (I was the Business Manager). Compliment? I don’t know, but it sure didn’t bother me considering the reserve balances I left my employer when I walked out of the office on that last day.
I recently read an article written by Steve Diggs, a minister for the Antioch Church of Christ in Nashville, Tennessee, author of several books, and presenter of No Debt No Sweat! Christian Money Management Seminars around the country, that intrigued me. It introduced a very simple concept but one that has a very profound result. Quite simply, I present his concept as a question, Are you a Penny-Picker-Upper?
Simply put, a penny has very little monetary value. In fact it costs more for the government to manufacture both a penny and a nickel than what they are worth monetarily. However, by stooping to pick up one of these coins that may be lying on the sidewalk or pavement, we demonstrate that we remember the value of money and it serves as a good discipline in remembering to not take things for granted. This can be related to our financial blessings, but how about the minutes or hours of each day that God gives us? Do we utilize our time in the most useful and appropriate manner? Or do we squander minutes or sometimes hours because we don’t value the time?
We are called upon to be the good stewards of everything we have, including our financial resources, our material possessions, and our time. Maybe this is even more evident in our Life After Retirement.
