Shifting Gears

Apparently there has been a move afoot to retire the word “retirement” - in a recent contest, the winner was awarded a $100,000 annuity for the best replacement term which is Life 2.0.  I’m still mulling over the phrase – it doesn’t just reach out and grab me with enthusiasm but then neither does the word retirement since it often is depicted as someone just sitting around like a couch potato letting both their brain and body go to pot.

I really prefer “active retirement” which is what I anticipate for us in a few months – I doubt that I’ll spend any more time looking for activities than I do now.  However, those activities will be of my choosing and not those of my employer.  We’ve already had an invitation to explore Nepal and Kathmandu next winter with a group of friends – visiting an orphanage there to work with the kids for a few days, some trekking and possibly a pre or post trip to Bangkok.  I’ve also accepted my first volunteer assignment thanks to co-worker Lisa – but how can you resist a golf tournament to raise money for women with cancer?  And a silent auction too?  I let her know I’m interested and she hesitated less than one second before telling me I’m now on the committee and their first meeting is in March!

Here’s to the future without the day job – retirement, Life 2.0, active retirement…..what would you call it?