Another new chapter in the Retirement Adventure

I remember well the initial plans for retirement that were developed over time and put into practice fourteen months ago. Facing the prospect of this significant life change, I did what most folks facing this transition do:  We vetted and picked a financial planner.  We sorted through all the options and settled on someone who specialized in working with retirees. One does not have to do that, but that was…

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What Time Is It?

This question was seemingly asked more often in days gone by, the days before cell phones and smartwatches. The phrase “What time is it?” has more than one obvious meaning. One could be asking what time is it right now? Or one could be asking about time, as in whether it is time to do something, go somewhere, seize the moment, or relax, as well as numerous other meanings. Discerning…

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Retirement Reading List Update

I was asked by a friend recently if I would list some books I read regarding retirement that I found helpful. That is an easy request, so here we go: Some will come from a Christian perspective, and others will be about retirement and the issues that attend the subject. So Here are my recommendations for those of you 1-5 years from retirement and those already retired. I am including…

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Lessons I have learned Driving to Meetings

Driving to meetings can provide valuable insights and lessons. Here are some common lessons that people often learn from their experiences: Time management: Driving to meetings teaches you the importance of managing your time effectively. You realize that planning your routes, considering traffic conditions, and leaving early can help you arrive on time and avoid unnecessary stress. Patience: Traffic congestion, unexpected delays, and roadblocks can test your patience. Driving to…

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Spontaneous planning

Life is a delicate balance between planning and embracing the unexpected. At various times, we face choices that require either preparedness or spontaneity. Both approaches have merits and drawbacks, and understanding their differences can help us navigate life’s twists and turns more effectively. I have always attempted to be prepared, and as my son told me the other day, “I overprepare.”  I am trying to be more spontaneous.  I thought…

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Under Construction

Over the last few weeks, I have been doing quite a bit of traveling by car.  One thing that greeted us across the country was the orange barrels and numerous road construction projects.  For us, the first project was at the entry to our subdivision in Florida. It was a resurfacing project that would shortly become a street-widening event.  As much as we appreciate the finished project, the construction process…

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A Year In to My Retirement

One year ago, I gave my last report as district superintendent and walked off the platform, and a few weeks later, we started our new journey.  Like everyone before me and those coming after,* some things go according to plan, and a few do not. What has gone according to plan? Financial Plan    This is the first item that folks work on as they anticipate retirement.  It is the…

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Mother

Our mom is our first love.  It is hard to deny the bond between a mother and her children.  The second Sunday of May is the day we set aside to honor our mothers. Anna Jarvis of Grafton, West Virginia, encouraged the observance of this special day in 1908.  In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day an official U.S. holiday.  Mother’s Day commemorates and celebrates the best mom in…

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Observations on my journey

Serving in an interim position has provided me with some unique opportunities.  I have met people I would never have met and visited places I would likely never have seen.   I just this week traveled from my home in Florida to Wisconsin.  Some random conversations and encounters in two airports got me thinking: Is much in life random?   A conversation while waiting in the security line in Sarasota…

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Great is Thy Faithfulness

Lamentations 3 is not a pleasant and upbeat chapter until you arrive at verse 21: 22 Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” When facing challenging days, it is easy to believe that we are in ‘unprecedented’ times. Though our trouble may seem…

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