What does being retired really mean? Retirement is a different term for some and may mimics other’s, The fact is there is an idea, that you quit working, when actually you stop working for someone else and your activities are not dependent on getting up and driving for miles to work with someone else. You are now in charge of your own future. I did retire but it was cancer that convinced me to make my health more important. Cancer did not beat me, but I beat the cancer with my heavenly Father God and Jesus Christ and the prayers of many. I am five years out leaving me to look for activities I wanted to do. This meant I should have to see what my talents were. I have been following a young man that encouraged me to write and in his Magic Painting question I also picked up my canvases and brushes and began to do what I am good at, painting. Really being honest, I didn’t retire I just grabbed my heart and began to run with it. The years I worked for someone else, put my inside treasures on hold and expression was limited. I began writing here and found what I went to school for was needing to explore places in poems and telling stories. God began to use me in places that was now bringing Him glory, which is my biggest reward in this status of being retired.
I am learning to practice only the little amount I learned 30 years ago. I had to start this new venture but that meant I needed to read works by others that I respected. I listened a whole lot before I wrote even one word on paper. Graham Wardle, is a terrific poet with a heart of gold. He wrote his own book of poetry, ”Know Your Truth.” He has his own website where he encouraged his followers to write and submit their own work. It was a great start for my own journey to begin writing. I’ve had great mentors, like Cathey Cone, who writes her own blog, “Footnotes From The Flipside.” I have inspirational help too, like, DonnyMac who has Prayer Walk With DonnyMac.” also here on Substack. Now my paintings have always been there deep inside hidden by responsibilities and must need to do’s. I first began painting to include the painting on my Substack here with, “Fuji The Appleyard Duck.” I like painting my own work for the enclosed images instead of using others. My paintings have grown naturally.
, and I have sold some encouraging me to keep painting.
Retirement is not waiting for death at an older age, it’s a step to move into who you are and what you are gifted by God to do. It is said if you find what you love to do, you are no longer in a job. I do hope God grants me the extra time to continue in what I truly love, which is self-expression and loving people.
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I'm so glad to have had even a tiny piece of encouraging you to share your writing. Can't help in the painting department! For sure the best part of retirement is having choices and time to pursue all those things that were on hold while we had to earn our way to retiring!