Retirement is a significant juncture in a person’s life. It is an important developmental stage, one of the most significant in one’s life. This is the first time as an adult that a person is not in a career for income production. It is a time of newfound freedom. Retirement offers the opportunity for most people to reflect on how the last chapters of life are best to be spent.  These retirement years can create and fulfill a wondrous dream or issue in a lonely nightmare existence.

Jack and Jill are a couple, both in their early 60s. Jack retired from a Fortune 500 company and they recently moved from Chicago to Lake Oconee. They are in relatively good shape for their age, although Jack does have a bit of a beer belly. They have a good relationship with each other considering Jack was on the road a lot for his job. Their children have both graduated from college and are beginning their careers. They have planned well for their future with a good investment strategy appropriate to their goals.  They share a sense of spirit as they regularly reflect on living a life in love with a sense of purpose and giving back. Volunteering is a part of their weekly schedule. They enjoy riding bikes together and regularly working out.  Jack says he is going to get rid of that belt overhang. They laugh a lot and share good food and times together with friends.  They go to bed together most nights cuddling and ending the days with shared “I love yous.” They are positive people who see the good in people and look forward to life’s adventures.

Daniel and Delilah, also in their early 60s, have recently moved to Lake Oconee. Daniel had his own business and Delilah worked as an administrative assistant at the local Chamber of Commerce in Houston. Both Daniel and Delilah have let themselves go physically. Daniel has been lackadaisical in getting physical exams and the only exercise he has gotten is to go back and forth from the refrigerator to get another beer. Delilah also is overweight as she has struggled in taking off pounds since the birth of their only child.  She eats a lot of potato chips washed down with too many wine coolers.  Daniel and Delilah have grown apart over the years. They have little in common any more. Golf, poker and too much alcohol are Daniel’s recreation time in retirement.  Delilah plays tennis and enjoys Bunco with the gals for her recreational life. Plus, she lives on Facebook while Daniel is watching whatever golf tournament or other sporting event that is on their 50-inch television. They did not do a very good job of financial planning and there is a possibility that their home will go into foreclosure. They go to a local church where they hear sermons about sin and going to hell. Their emotional life is permeated with stress and periodic periods of depression. They are often bored with life and with each other. They conveniently go to separate beds at different times so as to not face the sexual chasm that exists in their empty lives.

Jack and Jill are well on their way to a dream retirement. They have had a plan that they have put together that covers all the basics of their life. They sought retirement advice from a number of resources that enabled them to look at the many facets of their life going forward. They are loving partners.

Daniel and Delilah are co-existing roommates living a relatively empty life. They have significant issues to examine and resolve if they want to turn things around and create more of a dream life. Their future is bleak if they do not.

Most people have the capacity and opportunity that retirement offers to create a dream life, one that is fulfilling. It can be a catalyst for personal and relational growth. These “golden years” can be some of the best years of all. The key is to heed the admonition of the Greek philosopher, Socrates. His words, “the unexamined life is not worth living” can invite a person to do the necessary work to create a wonderful dream retirement.

Dr. Stathas can be reached at 706-473-1780. Email: Stathas@plantationcable.net  Website: drstathas.googlepages.com.  His blog:drstathas.com