Boston University (BU) initiated STAR (Society of Terrier Alumni Retirees) Wellness Week. Speaking online on a STAR panel (Retirement Reimagined: The Transition to New or Renewed Purpose) with two other BU alumni, I visualized this mini-report blog on retirement paths.
Lisa Haynes, author of Retired and Killin’ It: The Ultimate Retirement Plan, endorses planning a “bold and purpose-filled second act.”
Robert Morison, co-author with Ken Dychtwald of What Retirees Want: A Holistic View of Life’s Third Age, proposes a 3-way purpose model with “giving, growing, and enjoying” categories.
As preparation for my retirement book, Transforming Retirement: Rewire and Grow Your Legacy, I surveyed 125 individuals (ages 55-96), asking their age, whether they were retired, semi-retired, or did not plan to ever retire. I asked for hours a week they worked, and hours a week they volunteered. Many were volunteers, both those still working as well as those on a wide continuum of retirement possibilities.
Giving, often in a volunteer role, was instrumental for survey participants in terms of their current identity and purpose. For example, the Pro Bono Network was key for one 60-year-old retired woman; her attorney volunteerism provides civil legal aid. While volunteering took a hit during the pandemic, some were gritty (passion + persistent) volunteers! One person volunteered to receive early-testing samples of COVID vaccines. Others joined research studies to receive a placebo or trial medication for a variety of illnesses. Some made future volunteering plans to donate organs for transplant purposes or research after death.
There are many paths in giving-growing-enjoying purposes in retirement:
- 64, a woman (recently retired) finds purpose in writing: “I am writing some children’s books, especially for young girls…who suffer societal pressure to conform to the latest norm.”
- 72, a man retired at 52, 57, and 70, volunteers 10 hours/week: “…an opportunity to serve…mentor the younger generation…wisely provide my time, talents and treasures.”
- 76, a man retired 9 years, volunteers 20 hours/week: “…you are not your job, but something else…a chance to learn and grow intellectually and spiritually.”
- 80, a woman semi-retired for 20 years, volunteers 15 hours/week: “…time to make and keep connections with important people and the larger earth.”
- 80, a man retired 3 times, his volunteering varies: “Close friends are more important than before…[I have] opportunities to do favors for others.”
- 93, a woman retired 29 years, uses her expert sewing skills to mend clothing for others in her assisted living residence.
Artist Pablo Picasso captured the essence of volunteerism: “The meaning in life is to find your gift. The purpose is to give it away.” However, having bodymind wellness makes a critical difference in one’s pursuit of purpose. For those challenged with their health or a family member’s health, purpose possibilities may be limited.
My definition of purpose is having passion for living a life of meaning while accepting inevitable life changes with grit.
Pearls of Peace (PoP) Quiz
482. How do you define purpose at your current age?
483. What activities provide meaning for you?
Pearls of Peace: A Family Psychologist’s Circle-of-Life Blog 
My mother, a devoted head of the family, caregiver, worker, volunteer, member of a symphony orchestra, lived to 96. Late in that life, as her need to be cared for changed everything, she sighed, “What’s the point in living if you cannot be of some use?” I ached for her, but came to realize that her grit and stamina and gracious uncomplaining gave her children a beautiful example of how to handle that final stage with grace. THAT is purpose enough!
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What a wonderful legacy blessing your mother left for you and likely many others. It is a trite saying, but it applies to your devoted mother — a life well-lived. She had purpose galore!
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