Do you see retirement as a time to thrive or a time to phase out of productive life?
The synonyms of “retirement” are surprising. “Retreat, evacuation, pullout, withdrawal, fallback, ebb, flight, pullback” are the terms listed. I understand that retirement is when we retreat, pullback, withdraw from our paid work, but our income earning jobs are far from everything in our lives.
The concept of retirement needs serious reimagination.
Yes, you’re leaving your job, and that is a loss, however you have new and interesting options to consider for this new season of life. You may feel that you can finally do what you want to do, or more importantly, what God wants you to do.
If this topic interests you, I invite you to check out my weekly newsletter, Reimagining Retirement, for practical ideas and encouraging devotions as you transition into a reimagined new season of life, otherwise known as retirement.
Connecting Dots...to God 
I have subscribed to your updates, but I have never subscribed to the concept of doing nothing with my life. All my life I have had good role models, a piano teacher in his 90s still as sharp as a tack, a theology professor in her 80s with the wisdom of Solomon, my great grandparents who lived beyond 100 and were still independent. And then there’s how the Bible has so many long-lived people, even John who was almost surely in his 90s when he wrote his gospel, epistles and Revelation. So honestly, when my body began to collect the years that told employers I was getting beyond what they considered desirable, I was led to go back to school. At 65 I got my nursing license – and a 4.0 in nursing school. I work from three to six 12-hour shifts a week, plus I write Christian fiction, with no intent to stop. Often, I train other nurses. My age is now an advantage because it is assumed I have loads of experience…since I came out of another medical specialty into nursing, I actually can live up to that image. I also have am part of a good church and volunteer there as well as for pregnancy clinics to support pro-life. Because I do some lifting as a pediatric nurse, I prayed and felt directed to workout with a personal trainer. I’m getting into the best shape of my life and have doubled the weight I can lift in 4 months. I’ve invested in stretching as well. The devil does like to try to bring sickness onto us as we age, but we don’t have to let him. We may use our God-given authority in Christ to pray against illnesses, take communion for healing and if necessary get medical help. We must stand firm against becoming delapidated. It’s not even normal to become decrepit. We are like palm trees, full of sap, ever green and bearing fruit in old age (Ps 92). There is a normal slowing down as we age, but it’s not like we’re suddenly useless, that would indicate disease, not normal aging. I currently LOVE what I do, I love my life, and it was all given by the leading of the Holy Spirit. I don’t work to make money, I could live off social security if I had to, but I honestly am not ready to stop serving the Lord and being of benefit upon this earth beyond prayer (the most important and powerful way). I am posting this because I am sure you have many readers like me, and some who will benefit from a little push in the right direction. Hopefully, you have enjoyed my story. And remember, there is young and there is old, but there are ages in between these two!