What Would You Wish For?

"Retirement is the last opportunity for individuals to reinvent themselves, let go of the past, and find peace and happiness within." Ernie Zelinski

After announcing my retirement in May I went on a 3-month hiatus, which included traveling through some 16 states: a 5-week road trip with my husband, a family reunion in the pines and several ‘mini’ vacations’. I have now returned home for a bit; rested, renewed and reinvigorated…sort of.   

I am finding that my conversations with people; whether friends, family,  or co-workers, sound very similar when it comes to the discussion of retirement.  So many people tell me they are jealous …and express their desire to have the opportunity I have.  And of course, they ask me the questions everybody asks someone who is retiring….”So, what are your plans? What are you going to do now?” And although I am sure my deciding to retire meant must have meant that I had a clearly formulated answer in my mind….that answer seems to have dissipated like a thin, wispy cirrus cloud on a breezy day.  And now, I hear that same question coming, not just from someone else’s lips, but also from within.

What the heck am I going to do now?  And, what the heck am I going to do tomorrow?

I’m sure I thought all this out before…didn’t I?  Oh yes….now I remember. Retirement is my chance to let go of the past, pursue my passion….to explore my calling…to sleep in…..enjoy peace and happiness…. and of course; I can reinvent myself. 

When I think of this opportunity to reinvent myself…I create an image of a genie arriving in a poof of smoke…. I can’t help but hear Robin William’s voice doing his genie gig in Aladdin. I visualize that hysterical, big blue shaped, cartoon character,  magically appearing before me with an over exaggerated bow. His voice bellows out like a megaphone, while he contorts into all sort of shapes; “Hellooooo. I am at your command.  I was sent here to grant you your wish. What is it you want most?”

I respond to my genie, “Wow, Genie...You're so cool! It’s like a fantasy come true! You mean you can grant me a wish for a chance to reinvent myself?”

And then the genie will ask,   ”So is that your official wish? …If so, then tell me what is it you want me to reinvent you into?”

Hmmm….I think to myself. Since this might be, according to Ernie Zelinski, my last chance to make this wish, perhaps I should give it some more thought.

How about you…what would you say if the genie appeared to you and told you your wish was his command….how would you reinvent yourself? 

While you are pondering your answer, I thought you might enjoy this tribute of the Genie himself:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR9eL8cVRXc