LOVE MY JOB

Because of all the freedom, independence, and heartfelt experiences it provides me, I can honestly say that I love my job. Are you questioning? Asking yourself, what job provides these three benefits and opportunities? Did you silently say, "Sign me up!" Truly, retirement is a fabulous job. In fact, it is the best job I have ever had. With my retirement job, I am able to impact the world in a positive way.

Having worked in an educational environment, worked for government departments, working with small businesses, worked at non-profits, and worked within large corporations, I have worn many hats which shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. While being employed outside the home, I've worn many hats inside my home too.

Upon my retirement eleven years ago, my curious coworkers asked, "What are you going to do?" My immediate response,

"I'm going to write and paint."

Indeed, I have painted all the rooms in our home. As for writing, I have written lots of personal letters, business letters, and the writing of business documents. Then, VOCAL found me. Vocal was in my Facebook feed. As they say, the rest is history.

Of course, freedom is a state of mind. It surely is. Because of everything you tell yourself, the mind definitely believes it. In fact, for me, freedom is the ability to make management decisions on my own instead of being micro-managed. No mandatory meetings!

In my opinion, the majority of meetings are a waste of everyone's time.

Splendidly, the freedom to schedule tasks, activities, and even medical and dental appointments without the required supervisors or third party's approval and consent is liberating. Retirement gives me total freedom. Sometimes, my to-do list is short. On the other hand, there are times when my list is quite lengthy.

Well, do I have a job description? Obviously, the answer is no! While there aren't any formal duties and responsibilities, I can give you an idea of some of the tasks that I do on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis. I am a writer, researcher, poems/lyrics writer, storyteller, assistant chef, chief smoothie maker, meal planner, chief financial officer, coach, cheerleader, buyer/purchaser, photographer, chief marketing, and CEO of sales for gently used or never used items, problem solver/fixer, investigator, nurse, unpaid laundress, cleaning lady, nurse, personal assistant, chauffeur, mediator, reader, and dreamer.

In addition, independence refers to the process by which I can control my own life. Self-determination is exhilarating. Being dependent on a boss to determine my work, my assignment, or what can and can't be done, the thought causes my heart to beat rapidly; and my head begins to pound from a tension headache.

Now, I have control of what I choose to do; and when I choose to do it. If I feel like reading, I will read. If I am in the mood to write, I'll write. With any task, I get to pick and choose when, where, and how.

Amazingly, I can be as productive or unproductive as I like. I am independent! There isn't a schedule. Staying up and watching an old movie until 2:30 a.m. isn't a problem. As an independent, I am not dependent on an individual or individuals with the title of supervisor, manager, or boss. It’s refreshing and luxurious.

With Linked in, Vocal, and Facebook Marketplace, I can be a cheerleader and positive voice through stories, reviews, comments, and other informative pieces that I write. Through kindness, I wholeheartedly believe that focusing on the positive can make the world a better place.

Unfortunately, many individuals, groups, governments focus on differences and privileges, as we know, this leads to division, hatred, and unhealthiness to families, to communities, to states, to nations, and to the world. It is imperative that we focus on our commonalities and similarities. By doing so, kindness and positivity creates inclusiveness, resulting in healthier families, communities, states, nations, and the world.

Unsurprisingly, the Vocal platform gives me a chance to write positive stories, poems, and informative pieces. Hopefully, people will read my stories and will be influenced in a positive way.

Proactively, I've decided to sell my gently used and never used items on Facebook Marketplace locally which allows people to purchase needed or wanted items for less. Besides, the items are recycled, helping our environment too, and making the world a better place.

At the end of the day, I love my retirement job for the freedom, independence, and heartfelt experiences that it provides me. Because it's good to spread positivity to people; in turn, the positivity flows outward onto the world. Optimistically, the world will become a better and kinder place.