Dick and I were discussing retirement a couple of days ago and how we are enjoying this part of our lives and how lucky we feel every day to be at this point.

Then we started remembering the steps that brought us here. I understand retirement can be a frightening prospect to some, so maybe that’s a point that needs to be explored.

Just what makes the thought of retirement so downright spooky? I think it’s just facing an unknown.

After all, for years and years, we’ve had set schedules – someone telling us what to do with at least 8 hours of our days, even if you’ve been in a high position, you’ve had a board of directors telling you what to do.

But now, your every waking hour will be managed by yourself. That’s good and bad. If you have developed different interests, maybe golf, maybe woodworking, maybe bridge, maybe building models, or working on your family genealogy, at least now you’ll have time to pursue some of those interests.

And, hopefully you’ll have more than just one interest. Playing cards 5 days a week, all day long, is going to wear pretty thin, pretty quickly. And when you get a bit older, golf will be more of an audience sport rather than a participation sport, more than likely.

Don’t forget, volunteering can be a wonderfully fulfilling hobby and a wonderful way to meet a whole new group of people. And most organizations will greet you with open arms if you spend a portion of your retirement volunteering and helping other people.

So, set a little bit of a challenge up for yourself, plan just what you’re going to fill your time with in those retirement years. Don’t let this possibly most wonderful time of your life just drift away, sitting around being bored – that’s not what retirement is supposed to be about as far as we’re concerned.