A friend asked me last week, "How's retirement?"  Then he follwed that with one of those probing questions that only those who really love you would dare to ask, "Are you OK- in HERE?" (He pointed to his heart.)  I knew what he was asking: "Are you feeling good about your decision?  Do you have any regrets?  From the inside out, is this retirement thing a good thing for you?"
My instant answer was "yes."  But then I thought.  And thought some more.  And some more.  Those kinds of loving questions do that to you.  In fact, I've thought about that question (and my answer) for a week now.  It was the right answer.  But I needed to examine why.  And I have.  And the reason this retirement thing is such a good fit for me is summed up in one word: presence.  Presence has always been a big word for me.  I've preached it. Taught it.  Lectured on it.  Done seminars about it.  "Whereever you are, be there!"  That's my most famous line.  Be in the moment.
And I think Joan and my family would tell you that I've done a fairly good job at it most of the time- but only because I've worked awfully hard at it.  I, by nature, am one of those "cross all your t's and dot all your i's" kind of guys.  And the problem is, I've devoted half a century to three professions (teaching, preaching, and counseling) that share one common reality: the t's are never all crossed and the i's are never all dotted.  That makes it very hard for a guy like me to be present- to enjoy the moment.  To savor this breath, this day, this hour.  Until now.
In recent weeks, when I've watched grandaughters cheer, I've really been there.  When I've tossed a ball to grandkids in the backyard, I've savored the moment.  When I've watched grandkids play their various sporting events or participate in their school programs, my mind has been nowhere else but there.  For perhaps the first time in my adult life, I have genuinely been present.  I never realized how absent I had been all those years until I experienced what genuine presence feels like at the core of one's being. Wow!!
Now, the aim of this blog is NOT to encourage you to hurry up and retire so you can enjoy genuine presence.  I'm attempting to say to you: don't make the mistake I made.  Don't wait until retirement before you allow yourself to truly let go and relish each moment deep down in your soul.  Yes, retirement works well for me.  Presence makes all the difference.  It always will.  And you don't have to retire to realize it.