Dear LPG;

Well Christmas is over again for another year so now what?

I have been a pensioner for about 10 years now and I so looked forward to getting to retirement until it actually happened and I found that I had too much time on my hands.  I got involved with one of the pursuits that I really enjoyed before I got swamped in the world of work, and that was writing poems.

I have put this one together and I hope that it will remind the retired readers of a stage in our lives that I think many of us pass through as we leave the world of work. Perhaps you can include it on your news page near the beginning of the year in an effort to get people thinking about what they really plan to do with their 2019.

The freedom we acquire on the day that we retire

is quite often a blessing in disguise.

Some truly think they’re blessed with some extra time to rest,

But it’s not like that in everybody’s eyes.

When you’ve worked for twenty years and you realise your fears;

you will have to at least work for twenty more.

Living, work and family make it really hard to see

exactly what you’re ultimately aiming for

It only takes a month or two, to work out that really you

don’t need all the extra time you have attained.

When you’ve transformed your house and you, and had a holiday or two

There is really not a lot left that you want to gain.

It’s then that most of us work out that there is little or no doubt

A new project would change your lonely outlook

There is so much you could choose from, volunteer or take something on

A new hobby, skill, pet or even write a book.

What I am trying to say is that something new to do, or get involved in, will give new meaning to your life and there are so many different things to try when you don’t have to be qualified or depend on someone else’s permission to get involved.  There are three more things to remember. 

The first is not to let the fact that you don’t know where to start or your fear of failure stop you because you have nothing to lose or prove anymore; except to yourself (and that should be that you have had a go).  Secondly don’t be forced to impose a time limit on yourself, and finally don’t let the prospect of working towards your goal alone stop you from getting started either.

DS, Dartford

As ever LPG has found a little relevant information…

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